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. Critique public relations leadership practices derived from ethical obligation within the profession (ULO 1).
2. Compare and contrast public relations practices from a Judeo-Christian perspective (ULO 2).
3. 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. Students with non-traditional educational journeys and robust work experience are encouraged to apply.

• Must be a committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, holding at least a 3.0 GPA.
• Preferably have professional experience when admitted to the program.
• A GRE score is not required for admission but will be considered if submitted.

Accelerated Program (B.A. or B.S. to M.A.) 

The accelerated Public Relations program allows students to earn both a B.A. in Public Relations and Strategic Communication or B.S. in Public Relations and Digital Media Management and an M.A. in Public Relations and Reputation Management in as little as four years. 

Students interested in the accelerated program should apply one year prior to the expected graduation date in the B.A. or B.S. program in the Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication.

All accelerated program applicants must:

• Apply and be accepted into the M.A. in Public Relations and Reputation Management, meeting all the requirements and standards of other graduate applicants.
• Submit an advanced portfolio within their final undergraduate semester to be assessed by two reviewers separately. Students with qualifying scores will receive up to 6 credits of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) which can be applied to PBRL 500 and PBRL 560. PLA should be confirmed prior to the start of the M.A. program.
• Maintain a 3.8 GPA in the B.A. in Public Relations and Strategic Communication or the B.S. in Public Relations and Digital Media Management program.
• Enroll and earn an “A” in PBRL 660 (cross-listed with PREL 465 and BBST 465). Continued enrollment in the accelerated Public Relations program is contingent on meeting this requirement as it demonstrates high competency in advanced coursework.

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.

Students who have questions about the degree requirements should contact the department.

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 session.

Curriculum Requirements