Public Relations and Reputation Management, M.A. (Media Ethics)

Mission

The Master of Arts in Public Relations and Reputation Management develops competitive communication leaders who are positioned to influence culture through a biblically-centered public relations education focused on cultivating ethical courage, strategic creativity and digital media leadership.

Program Description

In an age of disinformation, there is a growing need for trustworthy voices — ethical counselors who can advise stakeholders and craft messaging that inspires trust. Biola's Master of Arts in Public Relations and Reputation Management is designed to equip students to lead the way in building strategic, mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and the public.

The Master of Arts in Public Relations and Reputation Management matches academic rigor with practical application — forming the way you develop strategies, communicate and understand your work.

• Leadership Development. Practical, professionally oriented coursework equips you to enhance your leadership capabilities. Your studies culminate in a capstone project centered on applying your learning within public relations-specific positions.
• Ethics Emphasis. Go beyond considering how to ethically engage to ask why. As you integrate Christian perspective on human identity and work, you'll see public relations as an opportunity to serve — a perspective that drives decision-making.
• Relational Investment. Small class sizes and community intentionality promote meaningful connections between faculty and students, creating relationships that will challenge you to excel professionally and academically.
• Established Reputation. Learn from award-winning faculty in a respected public relations program. Biola's Public Relations program has been nationally recognized for its student publications and initiatives and has created a legacy of motivated, high-achieving alumni.
• Online Flexibility. Biola's Master of Arts in Public Relations is offered entirely online, empowering you to complete an advanced executive education from anywhere in the world in as few as 12 months.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Public Relations and Reputation Management, students will be able to:

1. Students critique public relations leadership practices derived from ethical obligation within the profession (ULO 1).
2. Students will compare and contrast public relations practices from a judeo-christian perspective (ULO 2).
3. Students will create public relations initiatives based on industry best-practices using principles expected of management within their specialization (ULO 3).

Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the M.A. in Public Relations and Reputation Management is competitive and based upon a committee review of each applicant’s fulfillment of the following requirements. Applicants must:

• Be a committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ
• Have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, holding at least a 3.0 GPA

Students with non-traditional educational journeys and robust work experience are encouraged to apply.

• Preferably have professional experience when admitted to the program
• A GRE score is not required for admission but will be considered if submitted

3 + 1 Program (B.S. or B.A. to M.A.) 

• Applicants who have received their Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) are able to reduce 3 credits of work (PBRL 500), as it is a foundations course which addresses the competencies required to receive the APR. To receive this, applicants must submit official confirmation of their APR from the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) with their application. When official documentation is verified, students will be able to complete the remaining units in order to earn their degree.
• Applicants who graduate from Biola with either a B.S. or B.A. in public relations are eligible for an M.A. of 30 credits based on set standards.
  • Applicants who received a B.A. in Public Relations, or a B.A. in Journalism & Integrated Media, with a concentration in PR, may receive the 30-credit M.A. if they:
    • Are within 5 years of graduating with their B.A., and completed their program by Spring 2020.
    • Maintained a 3.8 in the PR program.
    • Maintained a 3.8 but are outside of this window for application may request a review of their records for consideration by a committee for the reduction.
  • Applicants who graduate after Spring 2020, with either a B.A. in Public Relations, a B.A. in Public Relations & Strategic Communication, or a B.S. in Public Relations & Reputation Management may receive a 30-credit M.A. if they:
    • Are within 5 years of their graduation date.
    • Earned the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations.
    • Maintained a 3.8 in the program.

Graduation Requirements

The Public Relations & Reputation Management M.A. has the following requirements:

• A common core of graduate courses (18 credits)
• Two courses within a particular concentration (6 credits)
• Two faith/discipline integration courses (6 credits)
• A capstone experience (3 credits)

A student must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, and no single grade lower than a "C" to graduate and progress to any courses with a prerequisite.

Calendar

The program utilizes three 15-week trimesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Each trimester is divided into two 7-week terms (for example, Fall Session A and Fall Session B). Students typically take one or two courses at a time in each 7-week section.

Curriculum Requirements

Co-curricular requirement: Academic Strategy and Success module in the first 5 weeks of students' first semester.