PRNEWS names Elon an ‘A-List’ institution for public relations

The School of Communications is one of 40 universities included in the 2022 PRNEWS Education A-List, highlighting the top U.S. institutions for career advancement in PR and marketing communications.

Elon’s School of Communications was recently named to the 2022 PRNEWS Education A-List, a competitive distinction shared by 40 U.S. institutions recognized for preparing future public relations and marketing professionals.

The list was compiled by the PRNEWS editorial staff following an examination of curricula, diversity, faculty composition, academic awards and capstone courses. The group also considered on- and off-campus offerings, such as internships. Lastly, editors investigated how the schools’ curricula reflected the changing nature of communication, with institutions incorporating programs in science, healthcare and sustainability communication.

The inaugural PRNEWS Education A-List was released in 2021. Similar to the inaugural list, this year’s edition includes public and private institutions offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. In addition to Elon, American University, Howard University, Penn State University, Syracuse University, University of Oregon and University of Southern California were among the other institutions recognized.

The PRNEWS Education A-List is designed to spotlight the top educational institutions advancing the careers of PR and communication professionals in the U.S.

“This honor is not just a school award, but an accolade that belongs to our outstanding faculty, staff and students,” said School of Communications Dean Rochelle Ford. “Building and maintaining an ‘A-list’ program is a process and challenge they accept every day. Elon University has grown into one of the strongest PR programs in the nation because it is rooted in theory and experiential experiences. Our objective is to develop industry-ready PR professionals – and it is humbling to see that PRNEWS agrees.”

In 2019, the School of Communications was named PRWeek’s 2019 Outstanding Education Program. In their assessment of Elon, the PRWeek judges commended the school’s “hybrid faculty members” who possess terminal degrees and significant professional experience, and how the school adapts “nimbly to the demands of a digital, multimedia world of communication.”

PRNEWS is a leading source of information, education, recognition and data for Fortune 1000 professionals, agencies and government/non-profits. PRNEWS focuses on honing and growing PR and marketing professionals’ skills in social media, crisis management, media relations, digital PR, measurement, internal and external communications, CSR and diversity, equity and inclusion through its robust newsletter, online content, events, awards programs and webinars. For more than 75 years, PRNEWS has been dedicated to supporting the growth of communicators and marketers all while keeping them abreast of the latest news affecting their industries.