Written by: Tiffany Westry
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UAB is the first university in Alabama and one of 23 in the United States to offer the program. University of Alabama at Birmingham students majoring in public relations and other communication studies will now have the opportunity to boost their resumes with the addition of the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations.
Established by the Universal Accreditation Board in 2014, this entry-level certificate is designed to demonstrate a fundamental level of knowledge for graduates entering the public relations profession and related fields. UAB is the first university in Alabama and one of 23 in the United States to offer the program. The certificate gives new graduates an advantage in a competitive job market.
“The Certificate in Principles of Public Relations demonstrates a student’s dedication to professional learning and knowledge of communication skills required for professional success,” said Jacquelyn S. Shaia, Ph.D., assistant professor and director of the public relations program at UAB. “We stress the ethical practice of public relations, and it is our job to thoroughly prepare our students to compete in the workplace. This certificate will bolster our students’ resumes to stand out among the competition today.”
The certificate consists of extra coursework completed just prior to or immediately following graduation and the successful completion of a computer-based examination. The exam tests students’ knowledge of communication models and theories, business literacy, ethics and law, program research, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Obtaining the certificate also prepares students to consider pursuing the Accreditation in Public Relations and other opportunities for professional growth throughout the course of their careers.
| The exam tests students’ knowledge of communication models and theories, business literacy, ethics and law, program research, planning, implementation, and evaluation. |
To qualify for the examination, students must be within six months of graduating, before or after, from an accredited college or university, with a degree in public relations or a related area of study. Students must also be members of the Public Relations Student Society of America or student member of another Universal Accreditation Board participating organization, and take a formal, university‐approved course of study specifically designated for certificate preparation.
UAB’s public relations program is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Communication Studies. For more information about the Certificate of Principles in Public Relations, contact Jacquelyn S. Shaia, Ph.D., at jsshaia@uab.edu.