Ready to take the next step in your professional career? Consider APR.
What is APR?
APR is a mark of distinction for public relations professionals who demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice, and who are selected based on broad knowledge, strategic perspective, and sound professional judgment. Accreditation in Public Relations is a voluntary certification program for public relations professionals, administered by the Universal Accreditation Board.
What is the purpose of Accreditation?
The purpose is to unify and advance the profession by identifying those who have demonstrated broad knowledge, experience and professional judgment in the field. The program seeks to improve public relations practice. The designation Accredited in Public Relations (APR) signifies a high professional level of experience and competence.
Who’s Eligible for APR?
Members of participating organizations who are involved in the professional practice of public relations, or in the teaching or administration of public relations courses in an accredited college or university. Also, non-members who belong to member organizations of the North American Public Relations Council (NAPRC) and who meet the same requirements as Members are eligible. Please contact PRSA Headquarters for details.
Who administers the Accreditation program?
The Accreditation program is administered by the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), a consortium of 9 leading industry organizations, including PRSA.
What is the fee to take the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations?
The fee is $385. Several of UAB’s participating organizations offer their members a rebate for a portion of the examination fee as a member benefit. Check with your organization’s chair for details on the rebate.
How do I get started & what’s the process?
There are several people you will be in contact with during your process. They can answer all your questions, guide you through the steps, and give you peace-of-mind during your quest for APR:
Public Relations Society of America
Kathy Mulvilhill, Manager
PRSA Universal Accreditation Program
P: 212.460.1400
E: kathy.mulvihill@prsa.org
W: www.praccreditation.org
- Kathy is your contact for the initial application process, whether you do it through PRSA or NSPRA. Applications are available for download at http://praccreditation.org/documents/application.pdf. You will mail the completed application to Kathy.
- Once you’ve mailed in your application, you should simultaneously keep Karen Kleinz of NSPRA informed. Her information is below. She’ll get you on NSPRA’s “radar screen” as being a potential candidate for APR.
- You should receive a letter of approval in the mail from the UAB to proceed with the Readiness Review process.
- As the process develops, Kathy notifies NSPRA of your progress, next steps, and your results. You will still contact Karen Kleiz with NSPRA to set up a time and date for the Review.
Readiness Review Questionnaire – This document is available in Microsoft Word online at http://praccreditation.org/becomeAPR/index.html.
- You will submit four printed copies of your typewritten responses to this questionnaire no fewer than 15 business days prior to your scheduled Readiness Review Presentation.
- If opting to work through NSPRA for your APR, you’ll submit the completed questionnaire to Karen Kleinz or organizational Accreditation chair, who will distribute to your panelists.
- ** When you pass the Readiness Review, NSPRA, in coordination with PRSA, will notify you of the next steps for taking the exam, and the timeframe in which you have to take it.
National School Public Relations Association
Karen H. Kleinz, APR
Associate Director
NSPRA
P: 301-519-1227
F: 301-519-0494
W: www.nspra.org
- Once you receive formal written approval from the UAB to proceed with a Readiness Review, Karen will coordinate selection of a review panel for you. Remember, this is only if you choose to perform the review during the annual NSPRA Conference, held in July.
- Those opting for a Readiness Review panel through OKSPRA should contact the NSPRA Accreditation Chair:
Karen McDermott, Director of Communications
Maize USD 266
P: 316-350-2021
E: kmcdermott@usd266.com
- Karen McDermott will coordinate your Readiness Review Panel, time and date for you. * You must still supply Karen McDermott with your formal approval from the UAB to continue on to the Readiness Review Process.
For more information on starting your accreditation journey, visitwww.praccreditation.org, or feel free to contact one of your local chapter APRs for assistance.
OKSPRA Chapter APRs:
Connie Blaney, APR
Glen Boyer, APR
Robyn Castleberry, APR
Gretchen Haas- Bethell, APR
Susan Hardy Brooks, APR
Diana Hartley, APR
Tony Heaberlin, APR
Ann Houston, APR
Teresa Jensen, APR
David Joplin, APR
Jan Keim, APR
Kathleen Kennedy, APR
Valerie Roberts, APR
Anna Trowbridge, APR
|
|
