CEPR
WHAT IS CEPR?
Certification in
Education for
Public Relations
Undergraduate programs that have earned Certification in
Education for Public Relations (CEPR) have PRSA’s endorse-
ment. This is a quality-assurance seal of approval for those
programs that provide the faculty, curriculum and resources
needed to prepare students for entry-level positions and career
growth in public relations.
Certified programs are listed in the annual PRSA Member
Services Directory, and they are highlighted in information
provided by PRSA regarding schools where public relations is
taught. Only 18 programs currently hold the prestigious CEPR
designation:
WHO HAS CEPR?
• Ball State University (Indiana)
• Brigham Young University (Utah)
• California State University at Fullerton
• Eastern Kentucky University
• Florida State University
• Indiana State University
• Ohio Northern University
• Radford University (Virginia)
• Rowan University (New Jersey)
• Seneca College (Toronto, Canada)
• Southeast Missouri State University
• United States Defense Information School (Maryland)
• Universidad Argentina de la Empresa
• University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
• University of Maryland at College Park
• University of Memphis (Tennessee)
• Valdosta State University (Georgia)
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Western Kentucky University
CEPR delivers more than prestige for faculty and institutions.
It provides a program with evidence of its quality, and it gives
students an edge in competing for internships and jobs. It also
provides a program with strength in acquiring resources, and it
facilitates continuing growth and improvement through six-year
reviews.
PRSA Director of Education
Jeneen Garcia • jeneen.garcia@prsa.org
33 Maiden Lane, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10038-5150 • TEL: 212-460-1466 • FAX 212-995-0757
PRSA Educational Affairs Committee Co-Chairs CEPR Subcommittee Co-Chairs
Judy VanSlyke Turk • jvturk@vcu.edu Judith Bogart • jbogart@fuse.net
Steve Iseman • s-iseman@onu.edu Susan Gonders • SGonders@charter.net
CEPR FAQ
If we already have accreditation in journalism and/or mass
communication through the Accrediting Council for Education
in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), why do we
need CEPR through PRSA?
Although ACEJMC accredits journalism and mass communi-
cation programs that may include public relations, CEPR is the
only designation for public relations programs that is conferred by
PRSA. Most of the programs with CEPR credentials are
sequences in larger mass communication units, and half of the
programs with CEPR credentials also hold accreditation through
ACEJMC.
If we cannot qualify for accreditation through ACEJMC, can we
qualify for CEPR through PRSA?
Quality public relations programs are sometimes housed in
schools of business, communication or other types of units that
do not qualify for accreditation. A public relations program that
provides the five courses required for a PRSSA chapter charter is
likely to qualify for CEPR credentials. The required courses are
public relations principles, writing, research, campaigns and
experiential learning (such as an internship).
Is a CEPR review expensive?
The fee for a CEPR review is $300, and expenses must be
covered for a two-person team to make a site visit of no more
than two and a half days.
How do we get a review for CEPR credentials?
Send a letter of interest to the PRSA director of education,
who will work with you to complete your application (about 20
pages) and schedule your site visit.
What if we do not qualify for CEPR after our review?
A review that results in “Pending Certification” provides
written recommendations from PRSA to help the program
acquire the resources needed to meet key needs for improvement
within 18 months. The review process is really a win-win
proposition. It will result in either CEPR endorsement from
PRSA or help to improve the program.