UA’s PR Program Finalist for 2011 Education Program of the Year
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama’s public relations program is among the top five PR Education Programs in the United States according to rankings compiled and published by PRWeek magazine. It is possible that the program will be recognized as number one in the country for 2011.
The other schools among the top five and UA’s competition for the #1 ranking include Brigham Young University, Georgetown University, Syracuse University and New York University. The #1 program will be announced at the PRWeek Awards gala dinner on Thursday, March 10, in New York City.
This marks the third consecutive year that UA’s PR program has been recognized as one of the top five programs. Dr. Bruce Berger, professor and former chair of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, organized the materials submitted with the entry. Judges evaluated PR education programs based on faculty research productivity, student and faculty achievements, involvement of alumni, quality of internships, course innovations, campaigns and uses of new media, and other factors.
“This award program is very competitive,” said Berger. “Being a finalist for the third year in a row contributes to the reputation of the PR program and the University, and helps us recruit top students and faculty. It also stimulates all of us to work diligently and creatively to continue to enrich the program.”
“We are all extremely proud to see the PR program continuing to receive such wonderful national recognition,” said Dr. Loy Singleton, dean of the College of Communication and Information Sciences. “It’s particularly significant that this ranking comes from the public relations industry’s leading business publication.”
Megan Barnes, a senior majoring in public relations, attributed the program’s success to unique opportunities offered to its students.
“The hands-on experience the program offers for students cannot be matched,” said Barnes. “The internships and job offers that come out of this program lead students to successful careers. The program not only provides meaningful experience and opportunities, but it also instills goals and values into each individual, resulting in success.”
“To be ranked among the top five programs in the United States three years in a row is a huge accomplishment,” said Dr. Joseph Phelps, chair of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. “As chair, I am extremely proud of this recognition of our faculty and students’ efforts. As a parent of a high-school student, my wife and I are looking for college programs with top national standing with our daughter. Having the best program close to home is great news for us.”
UA’s Department of Advertising and Public Relations, with more than 1,000 students, is the largest department in the College of Communication and Information Sciences.
PRWeek provides timely news, reviews, profiles, techniques and research for public relations practitioners. The magazine launched the PRWeek Awards 12 years ago to showcase and recognize the best practices in the PR industry.