Public Relations Programs Secure Spot on PRNEWS Group's A-List Again

For the fourth consecutive year, Seton Hall’s Public Relations programs have been named to PRNEWS Group's Education A-List. Totaling 20 top public and private institutions, this year's list features schools — including top universities like American, Boston, Loyola, NYU and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — that are training future PR pros and marketers as well as enhancing knowledge of practitioners already in the field.

The B.A. in Public Relations program within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media (CHDCM) is one of the few undergraduate PR programs nationwide to be certified by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). As part of this program, students learn the historical foundations and evolution of the discipline to truthfully, accurately and fairly apply a four-step public relations process (Research, Planning, Implementation, and Execution) to create, implement and assess a variety of PR campaigns and tactics.

As early as their first year, Seton Hall students have the opportunity to participate, and rise to leadership roles, as part of our Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter or inclusion at our annual Petersheim Academic Exhibition.

Through the study of theory and its practical application in the field, students are prepared to be responsible public relations professionals and graduate with a strong ability to apply critical coursework to inform data-driven decision making across a variety of global and diverse audiences.

For instance, Jiaqi Liu '23 was named the 2022 Future Public Relations Professional of the Year by the New Jersey Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Another Seton Hall student, Madison Vance '22, was also recognized with the same award as well as the John D. Graham Scholarship from the PRSA Foundation, which is an exclusive honor awarded to only three recipients each year.

Associate Professor of Communication Catherine H. Zizik, M.A./M.F.A., who serves as the chair of the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts in CHDCM, noted that this recognition acknowledges the students' hard work and creativity in producing impactful and strategic communication solutions. "Receiving this distinction from PRNEWS for our PR programs is a testament to the robustness of our academic offerings and the dedication of our undergraduate students."

She added, "Special thanks to our faculty, especially Jeanne Salvatore and Sadia Cheema, Ph.D., for inspiring our students to set new standards and challenge the boundaries of what's possible in the field of public relations."

In addition, the College's M.A. in Communication program offers graduate students the opportunity to complete an area of study in public relations where students learn from faculty with extensive PR experience through courses like Global Perspectives and Reputation Management. The College also offers a graduate-level professional certificate in public relations, which gives students the opportunity to study advanced concepts, theories and methods related to the PR field. Upon completion of this 12-credit program, the credits can be applied toward an M.A. in Communication, once admitted.

The list was compiled by the PRNEWS editorial staff by reviewing how applied programs prepare students for continued success in their existing jobs and along their future career paths, as well as any extracurricular offerings beyond the classroom, such as internships. Consideration was given to schools with faculty who have real-world experience and that continue to evolve their program offerings to reflect the changing nature of the field of communication and ensure students learn about emerging trends.

"The Education A-List is the only editorial roster of its kind, dedicated to the most innovative higher learning institutions for PR & communications," said Kaylee Hultgren, content director for PRNEWS. "This year’s esteemed list supports our view that PR and communications programs provide additional, high-quality training for professionals in the industry. Moreover, their continued evolution—through both a content and technological perspective — keeps apace with the real-world companies, organizations and new trends and specialties that are driving the industry forward."

The PRNEWS Group, part of Access Intelligence, LLC, is a media outlet that serves the communications and public relations community at corporations, agencies and nonprofits. PRNEWS supports the growth of communicators and marketers and keeps them apprised of the latest news affecting their industries, particularly with its weekly newsletter which was launched more than 75 years ago.

About the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media

Launched in Summer 2023, Seton Hall’s College of Human Development, Culture, and Media (CHDCM) embodies the University’s commitment to pedagogical innovation, intellectual ferment and community engagement. Uniting scholars and students from four dynamic departments — Communication, Media, and the Arts; Education Leadership, Management, and Policy; Educational Studies; and Professional Psychology and Family Therapy — the College is the new home of cutting-edge, transdisciplinary inquiry into the stickiest problems of our time.

The faculty, staff and students of the College seek to improve the human condition by collaborating across distinct fields that uniquely complement one another, thereby preparing the next generation of dynamic leaders poised to tackle contemporary social challenges and opportunities. Expression underpins all facets of the integrated College’s portfolio — media as a form of education and artistic expression; teaching and learning as modes of creative expression; expression and expressibility as critical to counseling and therapeutic treatment; and self-expression as a vehicle of social agency.

Categories: Arts and Culture, Education