 |
Accreditation
 The Public Relations Society of America, (PRSA) along with the Universal Accreditation Board, has spent the past year restructuring the APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) exam process. Designed to challenge and test the knowledge, skills and abilities of Public Relations professionals, obtaining the APR designation is a mark of credibility, experience and dedication to enhancing the PR profession. The new process can be summarized in three steps:
A Apply
-Download application from Web and submit with a $25.00 application fee to PRSA.
P Prepare
-Commit to study sessions, purchase appropriate recommended reading materials and Student Study Guide. Note: Do not purchase all recommended books. Contact APR Chair if you have questions on reading materials.
R Readiness Review
-Download Readiness Review questionnaire from the Web. Prepare portfolio for presentation. Schedule Review through APR Chapter Chair and participate in Review process. Exam Upon receipt of approval letter from PRSA, schedule appointment at Sylvan Learning Center. Exam is three hours long, consisting of all multiple choice questions. Fee is $385 for FPRA members and is paid at Sylvan. The accreditation process is designed to test 60 KSA's (knowledge, skills and abilities) required by today's Public Relations professional. The written examination will test the following KSAs in ten areas of professional practice.
· Communication Models and Theories - 15 percent
· Business Literacy - 10 percent
· Management Skills and Issues - 10 percent
· Crisis Communication Management - 10 percent
· Media Relations - 5 percent
· Using Information Technology Efficiently - 2 percent
· History of and Current Issues in Public Relations - 2 percent; and
· Advanced Communication Skills - 1 percent.
· Research, Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Programs - 30 percent
· Ethics and Law - 15 percent
The Readiness Review complements the exam and will assess each candidate's readiness in sixteen specific areas of competence that cannot effectively be evaluated in a written format. These are:
· Creative conceptualization
· Initiative
· Interpersonal skills
· Management skills
· Client/employer/organizational focus
· Multi-tasking
· Flexibility
· Teaching others
· Using multiple communication tools
· Time management
· Control analysis
· Communication skills/interviewing
· Communication skills/speaking
· Communication skills/writing and editing
· Communications skills/listening
· Presentation skillsThe new exam application, FAQ's, Readiness Review questionnaires and suggested study materials are available online at http://www.praccreditation.org.
The Southwest Florida Chapter will continue to conduct both fall and spring
study sessions to assist candidates in preparing for their Readiness Review
and exam. For additional info visit http://www.praccreditation.org or
contact:
|
