Public Relations, M.A.

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Assistant Professor Morosoff, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-5248

The Master of Arts in Public Relations at Hofstra University is designed to educate students in the fast-evolving communications field. It emphasizes management, research, best practices, and the skills needed for writing and using communications tools required within the public relations (PR) profession. The program prepares students to assume specialized public relations positions and leadership roles.

The 36-credit program seeks to achieve specific academic goals that includes effective instruction in communication practice; public relations work skills and ethics; an understanding that the convergence of print, broadcast and online journalism greatly impacts the profession; critical thinking; strategic planning; and competent management techniques essential in the practice of public relations.

Emphasis is placed on management and executive level responsibilities. Courses are structured to build upon and complement each other, and syllabuses will emphasize business acumen, ethics, and a professional understanding of the public relations industry as it relates to modern media and target audiences.

There are numerous career options when a student completes an advanced degree in public relations. Corporations offer public relations management positions at all levels including entry, intermediate and advanced, and PR practitioners can work in the communications/marketing departments of Fortune 500 companies, major media organizations, entertainment firms, sports franchises, fashion companies, retail, service, and small-to large-sized private and public companies. Public relations agencies vary in size from sole practitioners to international corporations, specializing in various areas, such as consumer and lifestyle, corporate clients, health care, entertainment, travel, investor relations, and others. There are public relations careers found within nonprofit organizations as well, supporting the efforts and agencies and their missions to improve social, environmental, health, economic, political, community, religious, and educational conditions.

Working with an adviser, students plan and complete a capstone project in their final two semesters. In addition to the completion of the capstone, students are required to maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA to qualify for the M.A. in public relations.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students must complete and return an application to the Dean of Graduate Admissions, 126 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549. In addition to the personal statement portion of an admission application, the application process includes:

A 500-750 word essay detailing “personal and educational history, past employment, volunteer work or related experience in the intended field of study, plans for graduate study, and plans for a professional career.”
Two letters of recommendation.
Writing samples (not required for admission).
Current resume.
Transcript(s). (GRE scores are optional.)

All applicants must be interviewed by the program director for a skills assessment.

New students are accepted for the fall semesters. Preference for competitive scholarships, if available, is based on overall GPA and academic potential and is given to early applicants. Upon admission, students receive advisement each semester to assist them with academic concerns and ensure their successful completion of the program.

The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a candidate’s potential for success in the program. We encourage students who may not meet all of the criteria to apply if they have other experiences that make them suitable candidates for the program.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 36

Required Courses - Semester Hours: 21-24

PR 260 - The Practice of Public Relations Semester Hours: 3
(See footnote*)
PR 261 - Survey of Public Relations Issues Semester Hours: 3
(See footnote*)
PR 262 - Public Relations Measurement and Evaluation Semester Hours: 3
PR 263 - Strategic Writing for Public Relations Semester Hours: 3
PR 264 - Communication Technology Semester Hours: 3
PR 265 - Business Essentials and Corporate Public Relations Semester Hours: 3
PR 298 - Public Relations Capstone I Semester Hours: 3
PR 299 - Public Relations Capstone II Semester Hours: 3

Elective Courses - Semester Hours: 12-15

Chosen from the following:

PR 266 - Public Relations Ethics and the Law Semester Hours: 3
(See footnote**)
PR 267 - Case Studies in Reputation Management and Crisis PR Semester Hours: 3
PR 268 - Public Relations and Advocacy for Nonprofit Organizations Semester Hours: 3
PR 270 - Professional Internship Semester Hours: 3
JRNL 231 - Journalism Ethics and Law Semester Hours: 3
(See footnote**)
JRNL 282 - Media Relations Techniques for the Sports and Entertainment Industries Semester Hours: 3
RTVF 234 - Media in Sports and Entertainment Industries Semester Hours: 3
RHET 220 - Theories of Persuasion Semester Hours: 3
RHET 222 - Rhetoric and Popular Culture Semester Hours: 3
RHET 282 - Sports, Media and Society Semester Hours: 3
MKT 203 - Marketing Analysis and Management Semester Hours: 3
MKT 211 - Advertising Management Semester Hours: 3 (prerequisite: MKT 203)
MKT 222 - International Promotional Campaigns Semester Hours: 3 (prerequisite: MKT 203)
MKT 248 - Strategic Decisions for Online Marketing in a Global Marketplace Semester Hours: 3 (prerequisite: MKT 203)
MGT 207 - Contemporary Organizations: Theory, Behavior, and Leadership Skills Semester Hours: 3

Footnotes (*/**)

*Students with significant related background and knowledge of public relations fundamentals may, at their option and with the approval of the program director, begin the program with PR 261 and take an additional public relations elective in place of PR 260.

**Students may substitute JRNL 231 in place of PR 266, but may not take both PR 266 and JRNL 231.

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