PR Program Certification
Certification in Education for Academic Programs in Public Relations
Established in 1989 as a voluntary program, Certification in Education for Public Relations offers academic programs the opportunity to have an outside evaluation team review and endorse undergraduate and master’s level programs for meeting eight standards (PDF) in curriculum, faculty, students, resources and facilities, assessment, professional affiliations, relationships with the total unit and the university and diversity and global perspectives.
The CEPR Process
Through the PRSA Educational Affairs Committee, a certification review process is conducted for undergraduate and graduate public relations programs. The review is administered by two PRSA members, a full-time educator and an APR-credentialed practicing professional who examine the school’s curriculum, resources, facilities and university support of its programs.
The 2–3 day site visit includes meetings with faculty, students, administrators and key external constituencies. Reviewers contact internship providers, employers of graduates and other local practicing professionals to assess alumni from the public relations program and to ask former students about their educational experience.
Become CEPR Certified
To learn more about the standards, criteria and review process, download the CEPR Guidelines (PDF) . Questions may be addressed to Executive Director Jeneen Garcia and CEPR Coordinator Susan Gonders.
Schools that currently hold PRSA Certification are listed below.
Master’s Degree Programs
- Dublin Technological University-Ireland
2010 • 2023 (Public Relations)
2017 • 2023 (Public Affairs) - Ball State University-Indiana
2011 • 2023 (Public Relations) - Quinnipiac University-Connecticut
2016 • 2022 (Public Relations) - Rowan University-New Jersey
2017 • 2023 (Public Relations)
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
- Brigham Young University-Utah
1990 • 2021 - Eastern Kentucky University
1991 • 2024 - Ball State University-Indiana
1993 • 2023 - University of Maryland-College Park
1998 • 2023 - University of Memphis-Tennessee
2001 • 2025 - Valdosta State University-Georgia
2001 • 2021 - California State University-Fullerton
2002 • 2021 - Ohio Northern University
2003 • 2021 - University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa
2003 • 2022 - Rowan University-New Jersey
2004 • 2023 - Radford University-Virginia
2004 • 2023 - Western Kentucky University
2004 • 2025 - Universidad Argentina de la Empresa
2004 • 2024 (public relations)
2018 • 2024 (global communications) - Southeast Missouri State University
2006 • 2018 (pending) - Cincinnati University-Ohio
2007 • 2019 (pending) - Indiana University-Bloomington
2008 • 2021 - University of North Carolina-Charlotte
2009 • 2021 - University of Waikato-New Zealand
2009 • 2022 - Universidad de Medellin-Colombia
2010 • 2022 - Ferris State University-Michigan
2010 • 2023 - Syracuse University-New York
2010 • 2023 - Monmouth University-New Jersey
2010 • 2023 - Lee University-Tennessee
2010 • 2023 - University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
2011 • 2023 - Seton Hall University-New Jersey
2012 • 2024 - Universidad de San Martin de Porres-Peru
2012 • 2025 - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
2012 • 2018 (pending) - Illinois State University
2013 • 2025 - Temple University-Pennsylvania
2013 • 2019 (pending) - University of Central Missouri
2014 • 2020 - Drake University-Iowa
2014 • 2020 - Loyola University-New Orleans
2014 • 2020 - Wayne State University-Michigan
2015 • 2021 - Kent State University-Ohio
2016 • 2022 - Quinnipiac University-Connecticut
2016 • 2022 - University of Florida-Gainesville
2016 • 2022 - Iowa State University
2017 • 2023 - University of Oregon
2018 • 2024 - West Virginia University
2019 • 2025 - Samford University-Alabama
2019 • 2025