PRSSA members at outdoor dinner event
Home / PRSSA / Chapter & Firm Resources / Public Relations Program Certification

Public Relations Program Certification

Certification in Education for Academic Programs in Public Relations

Established in 1989 as a voluntary program, Certification in Education for Public Relations (CEPR) offers academic programs the opportunity to have an outside evaluation team review and endorse undergraduate and master’s level programs for meeting eight standards in curriculum, faculty, students, resources and facilities, assessment, professional affiliations, relationships with the total unit and the university, and diversity and global perspectives.

The CEPR Process

Through the PRSA Educational Affairs Committee, a certification review process is conducted for undergraduate and graduate public relations programs. The review is administered by two PRSA members, a full-time educator and an APR-credentialed practicing professional who examine the school’s curriculum, resources, facilities and university support of its programs.

The two to three day site visit includes meetings with faculty, students, administrators and key external constituencies. Reviewers contact internship providers, employers of graduates and other local practicing professionals to assess alumni from the public relations program and to ask former students about their educational experience.

Become CEPR Certified

To learn more about the standards, criteria and review process, download the CEPR Guidelines (PDF). Questions may be addressed to Jeneen Garcia and CEPR Coordinator Susan Gonders.

Schools that currently hold PRSA Certification are listed below (with the year of initial certification and the year due for re-certification review:

Post-Graduate Degree Programs

SchoolYears Certified
Dublin Technological University - Ireland2010 • 2023 (Public Relations)
2017 • 2023 (Public Affairs)
Ball State University - Indiana2011 • 2023 (Public Relations)
Quinnipiac University - Connecticut2016 • 2022 (Public Relations)
Rowan University - New Jersey2017 • 2023 (Public Relations)
Syracuse University - New York2017 • 2023 (Public Relations)

Under-Graduate Degree Programs

SchoolYears Certified
Brigham Young University - Utah1990 • 2021 (pending)
Eastern Kentucky University1991 • 2024
Ball State University - Indiana1993 • 2023
University of Maryland - College Park1998 • 2023
University of Memphis - Tennessee2001 • 2025
Valdosta State University - Georgia2001 • 2021 (pending)
California State University - Fullerton2002 • 2021 (pending)
Ohio Northern University2003 • 2021 (pending)
University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa2003 • 2022
Rowan University - New Jersey2004 • 2023
Radford University - Virginia2004 • 2023
Western Kentucky University2004 • 2025
Universidad Argentina de la Empresa

2004 • 2024 (Public Relations)
2018 • 2024 (Global Communications)

Southeast Missouri State University2006 • 2026
University of Cincinnati - Ohio2007 • 2026
Indiana University - Bloomington2008 • 2021 (pending)
University of North Carolina - Charlotte2009 • 2021 (pending)
University of Waikato - New Zealand2009 • 2022
Universidad de Medellin - Colombia2010 • 2022
Ferris State University - Michigan2010 • 2023
Syracuse University - New York2010 • 2023
Monmouth University - New Jersey2010 • 2023
Lee University-Tennessee2010 • 2023
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh2011 • 2023
Seton Hall University - New Jersey2012 • 2024
Universidad de San Martín de Porres-Peru2012 • 2025
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)2012 • 2026
Illinois State University2013 • 2025
Temple University - Pennsylvania2013 • 2026
University of Central Missouri2014 • 2026
Drake University - Iowa2014 • 2026
Loyola University - New Orleans2014 • 2026
Wayne State University - Michigan2015 • 2021 (pending)
Kent State University - Ohio2016 • 2022
Quinnipiac University - Connecticut2016 • 2022
University of Florida - Gainesville2016 • 2022
Iowa State University2017 • 2023
University of Oregon2018 • 2024
West Virginia University2019 • 2025
Samford University - Alabama2019 • 2025
Canadian University Dubai-United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.)2020 • 2026
Biola University-California2021 • 2027
Mississippi State University2021 • 2027
Georgia Southern University2021 • 2027
Morgan State University-Maryland2021 • 2027