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Accreditation
What is APR Accreditation?
Where your career in public relations takes you is based on individual drive, determination and diligence. One next step all seasoned practitioners should consider is earning the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation. Earning the APR certification proves you have successfully demonstrated competency in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice public relations effectively in today’s business arena. It is suggested that you have a minimum of five years of paid, full-time experience as a public relations professional or as a teacher or administrator of public relations courses in an accredited college or university.
See more interviews with PRSA Tampa Bay APRs here.
Who can pursue the APR?
Any PRSA member in good standing can take on the challenge of earning Accreditation. However, it is recommended that candidates have at least five years’ experience in the full-time practice or teaching of public relations and who have earned either a bachelor’s degree in a communication-specific field (e.g., public relations, journalism, mass communication) or have equivalent work experience, which includes public relations principles, public relations writing, public relations campaigns, research, ethics and law and internship (practical experience under supervision).
What steps are involved?
You must complete an application that lets the UAB gauge your full-time public relations experience. Once your application is approved, you must schedule a Panel Presentation, which evaluates, through a questionnaire and live presentation, knowledge, skills and abilities that cannot effectively be judged in the computer-based examination. Prior to the Panel Presentation, you must complete a Panel Presentation Candidate Questionnaire that addresses: your organization and position in public relations; overall experience; and assessment of your knowledge, skills and abilities. Successfully pass a Comprehensive Examination that is administered at numerous testing centers around the nation.
How much does APR cost?
The cost is $385. PRSA members receive a rebate of $110 upon completion of the computer-based Examination.
When should I start the process?
It's best to begin seeking Accreditation when you can commit the time, energies and resources to complete the entire process. Visit www.praccreditation.org/apply/apr/ for detailed information and resources to begin preparing for the exam. Please note that a new study guide and new KSAs have gone into effect as of January 2016, so be sure to download the latest version of these documents when you begin the process.
How long does the process take?
It varies based on the individual and the number of applicants in your area. Once your application is approved, you have one year to complete the Readiness Review and take the computer-based Examination.
Who should I contact for more information?
The PRSA Tampa Bay Chapter Accreditation co-chairs are Paula MacDonald, APR and Katy Parsons, APR.
Paula MacDonald, APR - Paula.MacDonald@imagesuitepr.com
Katy Parsons, APR – KParsons@chappellroberts.com.
