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Master’s Concentration

Public Relations

Expertly reach stakeholders, manage your organization’s identity, and maximize the impact of its reputation. You’ll learn strategies to connect with influencers, utilize mass media, and leverage social media, all while employing principles of persuasion and quality content creation. From researching and evaluating audiences, to assessing the value of PR campaigns, you will apply critical thinking, precise writing, and complex reasoning.

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Top-ranked, career-focused education in a flexible format.

At a Glance

Classes Begin
January 6

Term Length
10 Weeks

Master's Tuition
$835 per credit hour

Format
Online

Admission
No GRE or GMAT

Duration
As few as 18 months

Top-Ranked University

U.S. News & World Report Rankings

Featured Instructors

Skills You’ll Learn

Communicate persuasively to targeted audiences

Create communication and PR plans with measurable results

Develop, manage, and analyze effective media relations practices

Curriculum

Master of Arts in Communication Management with a concentration in Public Relations requires completion of 48 credit hours (12 courses).

 

4

Core Courses

6

Concentration
Courses

2

Elective Courses

Core Courses

Learn the scope of activity, historical development, and future direction of the industry. These courses provide a foundation that you'll draw on throughout your concentration and elective courses. The capstone serves as the culminating academic experience in which you'll explore a problem of practice in your field of study.

COMM 4045 Applied Critical Thinking in Communication
COMM 4900 Communication Inquiry, Analysis, and Trends
COMM 4905 Storytelling through Research and Measurement
COMM 4920 Portfolio Capstone
Concentration Courses

Focus on a specific professional area within the larger industry sector and master the skills needed to excel in that area.

COMM 4016 Persuasion and Influence
COMM 4144 Strategic Public Relations
COMM 4145 Public Relations Writing and Content Creation
COMM 4146 Ethics in Public Relations
COMM 4150 Reputation Management & Crisis Communication
COMM 4154 Media Channels and Technology
Elective Courses

Popular electives for students in the Communication Management program include:

COMM 4035 Cultural Intelligence through Communication
COMM 4301 Brand Management Strategies
COMM 4320 Social Media Strategy
COMM 4321 Digital Marketing Communication
COMM 4324 Marketing Analytics

Elective courses may be chosen from among non-core and concentration courses in the academic program, and you may also select courses in other University College graduate programs. Your academic advisor will help you select electives that align with your career and personal goals.

Sample Schedule

Plan out your schedule and determine your preferred timeline for completing your master's degree—finish in as few as 18 months or take up to five years.

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Interested in a graduate certificate?

Explore our four and six course graduate certificates in Public Relations.

Interested in a digital badge?

Learn about badge requirements, how to apply, and more!

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Search and Mobile Marketing

Badge Requirements

Complete the following two courses with a grade of A− or above:

COMM 4325 Search Marketing
COMM 4318 Mobile Marketing

 

 

Digital Content Strategy & Optimization

Badge Requirements

Complete the following two courses with a grade of A− or above:

COMM 4320 Social Media Strategy
COMM 4321 Integrated Digital Marketing

 

 

Data-Driven Storytelling

Badge Requirements

Complete the following two courses with a grade of A− or above:

COMM 4324 Marketing Analytics
COMM 4905 Storytelling through Research and Measurement

 

 

Strategic Marketing & Brand Management

Badge Requirements

Complete the following two courses with a grade of A− or above:

COMM 4140 Marketing Strategy and Process
COMM 4301 Brand Management Strategies

 

 

Take a Course Before You Apply

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We know how important it is to get started when you’re ready and that’s why you can enroll in a course before you officially apply.

Career Outcomes

Predicted outcomes for graduates of Public Relations

Public relations professionals can expect to see a 10% growth of employment as organizations continue to a maintain a public image, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The continued rise of social media will contribute to employment growth for public relations professionals.

Job candidates can expect the highest concentration of job opportunities at larger public relations firms and organizations with larger media exposure. According to Forbes, industries with the highest percentage of PR professionals include civic, professional, scientific and technical organizations.

U.S. News and World Report ranked Public Relations Specialist #2 in Best Creative & Media Jobs for factors such as salary and job market.


 

 

 

 

Job Titles

 
 
Communications Director
Community Relations Director
Public Relations Specialist
Public Affairs Director

Public Relations Director
Public Relations Manager
Consultant


Public Relations Director Salary: National Average

$90,585

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Get Ahead with Career Services

 

One-on-one career coaching and mock interviews

 

Job database dedicated to DU students and alumni

 

Résumé and cover letter guidance

Hear from Our Students

Theme: Job Satisfaction

Communication Management

“I think the return on investment for me is very tangible. It helped me get a higher-level role and it helped me secure a better life for myself.” —Martha Brown, graduate.

Flexible Online Classes

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We understand the demands of balancing work, friends and family, and school can be challenging. That's why at University College, you can complete your program entirely online. Our online learning platform makes it easy to work anywhere at any time.

Online Experience5

Advisory Board

Sample Schedule

Plan out your schedule and determine your preferred timeline for completing your master's degree—finish in as few as 18 months or take up to five years.

Year 1 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Classes 2 2 2 2
Year 2 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Classes 2 2 0 0
Year 1 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Classes 1 2 1 2
Year 2 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
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Year 2 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
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Year 3 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
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Our programs are developed and updated with the input of advisory boards composed of industry leaders and employers. This ensures that you'll learn what employers are looking for, and gain the most current information with a view to future industry trends, connecting you to future success.
DU Badge wide

Megan Castle

Communications Manager, Department of Transportation

DU Badge wide

Erin Iwata

VP, Digital Marketing Heinrich Marketing

DU Badge wide

Rich Khleif

Senior Director-Communications, Connections, & Customer, Insights Oracle

DU Badge wide

Lora Ledermann

Scream Agency

DU Badge wide

Andy Mountain

President, GBSM

DU Badge wide

Bob Noguiera

Director Human Resources, West Division Comcast Cable

DU Badge wide

Julie Reeves

Vice President Marketing, Rachio

Accreditation

 


Higher Learning Commission

University College programs maintain the highest level of accreditation offered by The Higher Learning Commission, one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the federal government. The University of Denver and all of its academic programs are regionally accredited by this commission, and regional accreditation is the highest standard for universities in the United States.

Take the Next Step

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