Strategic Public Relations
Graduate application guidelines (PDF)
Fall 2011 class profile (PDF)
Language Academy guidelines for international students (PDF)
Public Relations -- sometimes called strategic communication -- is among the fastest growing professions in America, and probably the world. It is advocacy communication.
Successful public relations professionals are skilled strategists, counselors, managers and communicators. They know how to analyze problems, weigh options, develop solutions, advise senior management and implement programs that achieve organizational goals.
As a USC Annenberg-trained communicator, you will be equipped with the conceptual and practical tools needed to excel in -- and lead -- this dynamic field. You will know how to hit the ground running.
Program Highlights
- Faculty with outstanding professional and academic credentials
- Practical, case-study-based curriculum
- Flexible scheduling with day and evening classes
- International programs for spring and summer
- Merit scholarships and teaching assistantships
Education
USC Annenberg’s M.A. in Strategic Public Relations is designed to meet the needs of both new graduates and young professionals who have an interest specifically in PR/applied communication. It takes a highly focused, real-world approach, based on strategic analysis of actual case studies. Practice, rather than theory, is emphasized.
After spending your first year building a solid foundation in strategic thinking, applied research and analysis, and ethics, you will customize your program and narrow your interests by selecting from among a wide variety of specialized courses, each focusing on a specific area of practice. They’ll prepare you to succeed in just about any type of organization, including non-profits, Fortune 500 companies, global consultancies, and entertainment producers and distributors.
 "Many of my professors were well-connected senior professionals who brought real-world case studies into the classroom. When I graduated, I had the strategic problem solving skills, knowledge, and experience I needed to achieve my goal."
— Jose Zavala (Strategic Public Relations graduate) |
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Applied Research
Students are encouraged to become involved in the cutting-edge, applied research of the USC Annenberg Strategic Communication & Public Relations Center. The Center, established with underwriting from major corporations such as Home Depot and Nike, is a think tank for the profession. Its Public Relations and Communication Generally Accepted Practices (GAP) Study is a widely followed gauge of industry trends and innovations.
Location
Los Angeles is the place where trends start, cultures come together, entertainment is created, the Asia/Pacific region begins, and the Southern California lifestyle thrives. It is a living, breathing laboratory that, unlike many older cities, never stops changing. In other words, it’s the perfect place to study the present and future, rather than the past, of Strategic PR/Communication.
Excellence
USC Annenberg’s M.A. in Strategic PR is housed within the prestigious USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism. The USC Annenberg School has the resources, vision, and commitment to excellence needed to maintain its leadership position in technology, innovation, and education, no matter how the marketplace changes.