Strategic Public Relations

Course Overview

The M.A. in Strategic Public Relations is a 16 to 20-month program designed to educate the next generation of innovators and leaders in public relations and strategic communication. Graduates are sought by Fortune 500 companies, fast moving start-ups, public relations and digital agencies, communication consultancies as well as government organizations and the non-profit sector. The program takes a highly applied approach that emphasizes strategic thinking, problem solving and specific skills to qualify graduates for a successful career in the exciting, rewarding and fast-growing public relations and other communication professions. Public relations ' also known as strategic communication ' is among the fastest growing professions in the United States and abroad. At USC Annenberg, we think of public relations as advocacy communication, meaning the use of communication skills and tools to advocate on behalf of any brand, organization, social cause, entertainment property, celebrity, or candidate. Successful public relations professionals are creative, 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. The M.A. in Strategic Public Relations equips graduates with the conceptual and practical tools needed to be a leader in this dynamic field.

Program Outline