Have you ever pictured yourself in a career that works with the media, builds relationships, and persuades people to act? The MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communication program – located in the heart of the media capital of the world, NYC – can make that professional dream a reality. A two-year immersive experience, the degree will provide you with advanced training in integrating PR into the marketing mix. The MS in PRCC is an academically rigorous, practitioner-oriented program that cultivates research, writing, strategic planning and tactical execution skills.
MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communication
Overview
The curriculum helps students develop exceptional writing skills and practice thinking-through critical business issues, using domestic and international cases and current events as a springboard for reflection and learning. Students are required to apply their skills to digital platforms, including social media, blogs and websites. Year two focuses on research and a choice of concentration courses, helping prepare you with work-ready skills in PR Management or Corporate and Organizational Communications. These ‘tracks’ allow students to gain specialized knowledge to succeed in professional practice. The program concludes with both an experiential course paired with a real-world business—resulting in a 360-degree, actionable PR campaign—as well as a Capstone paper, which is written independently and uniquely contributes to the field. At completion, you will not only earn a practical, applicable education, but a network of actively working faculty who bring real-world public relations problems and solutions into the classroom.
The Public Relations and Corporate Communications master's is offered through the Integrated Marketing & Communications department within the Division of Programs in Business.
Key Benefits of the Program:
An intensive focus on writing for public relations (including grammar, syntax, and formatting).
A focus on domestic and international current events and news.
Application of skills to digital platforms (social media, blogs, and websites).
Opportunities for real-world practice in publications through practicum and internship courses.
Program support from a talented advising team.
Networking opportunities with faculty with renowned professional experience.
Frequent guest lectures, workshops, and panels.
A Capstone paper at the end of the program, uniquely contributing to the field of public relations.
Why NYU’s Public Relations Program?
Working professionals as program faculty.
Global communication experience through group work and in-class interactions.
Customized career preparation based on interests and skill sets.
Focus on public relations as an enhancement and asset to marketing and advertising.
Experiential opportunities to practice real-world public relations while in the classroom.
Studying public relations in the industry capital of the world: New York City.
Program Structure
Core Courses
Core courses provide you with the fundamentals of public relations and corporate communication, and prepare you for more focused study later in the program.
Electives
Elective courses provide you with the opportunity to study niche and specialty topics in public relations and corporate communication.
Internships
Internships provide you with the opportunity to acquire professional experience through a real-world perspective and explore career options in a corporation, nonprofit organization, educational institution, governmental or non-governmental organization, or public relations agency.
Concentrations
By choosing a concentration “path” midway through the program, you gain specialized skills to succeed in popular areas of professional practice.
Capstones
Through the final Capstone paper, you will complete your program of study in a meaningful and challenging way. Designed to uniquely contribute to the field of public relations and corporate communication, the paper addresses a challenge facing the industry and includes both primary and secondary research.
Practicum
The practicum course is a simulation of working within a PR agency or in-house team. Inclusive of a charge from a real client, the practicum consists of in-depth, real-time work in small teams, and eventually, a class presentation. You’ll not only gain practice in solving real-world issues, but will sharpen time-management, team-dynamic, and communication skills.
Core Requirements
The degree is a 42 credit program consisting of a required set of core courses (21-credits) and the selected concentration (21-credits).
Core Curriculum
Students are required to take all of the following courses.
- PRCC1-GC1010 Communications Ethics, Law & Regulation 3
- PRCC1-GC1020 Public Relations Writing Seminar I 3
- PRCC1-GC1030 Public Relations Writing Seminar II 3
- PRCC1-GC1070 Social Media for Public Relations Professionals 3
- PRCC1-GC1080 Practicum 3
- PRCC1-GC1900 Research Process & Methodology 3
- PRCC1-GC4000 Capstone 3
Concentrations
By choosing a concentration “path” midway through the program, you gain specialized skills to succeed in popular areas of professional practice.
Public Relations Management
This concentration will expand your knowledge of public relations principles with a focus on key stakeholders involved in creating campaigns and driving results.
Corporate and Organizational Communication
This concentration focuses on clear and effective communication through all channels of corporate life.
Admissions Criteria
We carefully weigh each component of your application during the admissions review process to evaluate your ability to benefit from and contribute to the dynamic learning environment and the challenging curriculum that the School offers.
Fall Semester
Priority: January 15
International Final: April 1*
Domestic Final: July 1
Spring Semester
Priority: September 15
International Final: October 1
Domestic Final: November 30
Required Documents
Essays
Resume
Two Letters of Recommendation
Standardized Tests (If required by Admissions team)
Transcripts
We require transcripts from all institutions where college credit was received.
Fees
Application Fee $150
Tuition depends on the number of credit hours a student enrolls in each semester. A part-time student taking 6 credit hours is billed $13,778 for tuition and fees for a semester. A full-time student taking 12 credit hours is billed $22,699 for tuition and fees for a semester. For a full breakdown of tuition and fees visit the Bursar's website.
Language Proficiency
TOEFL scores are required for applicants who did not complete an undergraduate degree in the United States or in a country where the only primary language is not English. Successful candidates achieve a minimum score of 110 on the Internet-based test.
For the IELTS, a minimum overall band score of at least 8.0 is recommended.
NYUSPS does not prohibit applicants with lower TOEFL/IELTS scores from applying for admission since many factors influence the admissions decision.
Pearson Versant English Placement Test (VEPT)
If an international applicant has not achieved the minimum scores as described above, they are required to participate in the VEPT, a 50-minute online test that evaluates English language proficiency.
Career Success
93.5% of NYUSPS Public Relations and Corporate Communication graduate students reported being employed within six months of graduation.
Alumni of the NYUSPS Public Relations and Corporate Communication program land opportunities across a wide range of levels, organizations, and geographic locations. Below are sample employers and job titles reported over the last five years:
Employer
Allegravita
AmeriChina Group
AZIONE
Blackrock
China Institute
Cohn & Wolfe
Edelman
Finn Partners
FleishmanHillard
Ketchum
Lululemon
Major League Baseball
MediaMorphosis Inc.
Michael Kors
Makeblock Co.
MSNBC
MSLGROUP
Penguin Random House
Publicis Healthcare Communications Group
SAP
Stanton Public Relations & Marketing
Telkomsel
Thai Government Public Relations Department
United Nations
Weber Shandwick
W20 Group
YY Inc.
ZTE Corporation
Zhejiang Daily Media
Job Title
Account Coordinator / Executive / Manager
Assistant Director of Communications
Associate Event Producer
Brand Ambassador
Brand Manager
Branding Executive
Communications Coordinator / Associate / Specialist / Consultant
Content Strategist
Corporate Communications Executive
Digital Content Editor / Producer
Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Event Coordinator / Planner / Manager
Global Digital Communications Director
Investor Relations Associate
International Public Relations Manager
Junior Account Executive
Manager, Entertainment Public Relations
Marketing and Social Media Specialist
Marketing Coordinator / Associate / Manager
Manager Strategy and Content Development
National Media Relations Coordinator
Professional Freelancer/ PR assistant
Public Relations Coordinator / Associate / Manager / Supervisor / Consultant
Sales & Communication Coordinator
Senior Account Executive
Social Media and Outreach
Social Media Specialist
Strategy Consultant
As professional relationships are an essential part of student success, the NYUSPS Wasserman Center for Career Development and the Division of Programs in Business partner on a variety of career initiatives.
Financing Your education
Click the link below to find important information regarding the federal aid process, NYU School of Professional Studies (NYUSPS) department and divisional scholarships, private loans, and the NYU payment plans.