Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Public Relations Specialists
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Pasadena City College, Berkeley City College, Moorpark College, and Riverside Community College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider San Diego State, Cal State San Marcos, Cal State L.A., and Cal State Stanislaus.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Mount St Mary's College, SBBC-Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara Business College.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Cal State L.A., CSU Dominguez Hills, Mount St Mary's College, and Cal State East Bay.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Palo Verde College, Lake Tahoe Community College, Mendocino College, and Monterey Peninsula College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Harvey Mudd, Claremont McKenna, Stanford University, and Pepperdine University.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Harvey Mudd, Pacific Union College, Claremont McKenna, and Stanford University.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Harvey Mudd, Stanford University, Claremont McKenna, and Southern Cal.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Stanford University, Claremont McKenna, Cal State San Bernardino, and Southern Cal.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Claremont McKenna, Stanford University, Harvey Mudd, and Pacific.
Working as a Public Relations Specialist in California
Public relations specialists advocate on behalf of businesses, hospitals, non-profit organizations, government agencies, universities and other organizations, fostering positive relationships with media, consumers, communities, employees, political groups and other "publics". Read a detailed Public Relations Specialist job description and schools overview.
State Requirements
- The State of California does not regulate public relations practices.
- Voluntary certification is available through the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
Major Industries
Advertising companies hire most public relations specialists in California. Other industries include:
- Professional Organizations / Business Associations
- Management and Technical Consulting Services
- Companies and Enterprises
- Social Advocacy Organizations
- Colleges and Universities
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Grantmaking and Giving Services
- Religious Organizations
- Scientific Research and Development Services
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
- Individual and Family Services
- Motion Picture and Video Industries
- Newspaper, Book and Directory Publishers
- Insurance Carriers
Major Employers
A few representative major employers of public relations specialists in California include:
- CVS Pharmacy Distribution Center (Advertising Material Distribution Service)
- TBWA / CHIAT / DAY (Advertising Agency)
- PSI (Direct Mail Advertising)
- International Alliance (Labor Union)
- Rossmoor Homeowners Association (Business Association)
- University of California and Stanford (Universities)
- Amgen and Clorox Technical Center (Research and Development in Biotechnology)
- Walt Disney Company (Motion Picture and Video Production)
- NBC and CBS (Television Broadcasting)
- Clear Channel Radio (Radio Stations)
- Visiting Nurse Association (Social Advocacy Organization)
- Child Abuse Prevention Office (Child and Youth Services)
- Michael Lewis Bail Bonds (Direct Property and Casualty Insurer)
- Kaiser Permanente (Direct Health / Medical Insurance Carriers)
- Grimmway Personnel (Human Resource Consulting Service)
- Well Church at Oak Valley (Religious Organization)
Spotlight Schools Search
Spotlight California Schools Related to This Career
- Locations: Elk Grove, Fairfield, Lathrop, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, Salida, San Diego
- Programs: 4 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor
- Locations: Alhambra, La Puente, Los Angeles, Ontario, Reseda, San Bernardino
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Diploma
- Locations: San Francisco, Santa Clara
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Master
See these schools on a map
Study from Anywhere at Online Schools Related to This Career
- Programs: 4 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor
- Programs: 3 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Master
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor
- Programs: 9 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor
Jones International University
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Master
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Point Loma Nazarene University • San Diego, CA
Studying Communications (completion in 2009)
• 8/17/2011
"I feel that I received a great education that helped prepare me for my future. I made friends that I know I will be in touch with forever, and I made many memories that will last a lifetime."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I think that the professors in my department really cared about their students. The range of courses offered really helped prepare me for the world of PR. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | My school is overall a strong university. However, the communications department was not necessarily known as being strong. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The professors were mostly Ph.D.s. I feel that I was well prepared to work in my field because of what I learned in my courses. |
| Instruction | 9 | All of my professors cared about individual students. Most professors took time out specifically to help those in need. |
| How Difficult | 8 | I felt that the program was challenging, but I am sure that there are more difficult programs out there. My classes ranged in degree of difficulty. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I think PLNU provided a great mix of book and hands on learning. All Communication majors had to complete an internship related to the major. Many classes also required projects in the community, yet all also required readings. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | I think that my school was pretty average in terms of flexibility. Yet we fall a bit above average because of night and summer class options. There were very few online class offerings. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The Communication building was a wonderful building that I enjoyed going to class in. I felt that I could always contact a professor if I were to need help. |
| Social Life | 10 | From living in dorms to living off campus, I always lived with friends and had lots of fun. I sometimes attended basketball games and school functions - which were always enjoyable. I often went to student thrown parties and events. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I only used these services once. If I had tried more I would be able to judge better. I heard that they did help friends of mine find jobs. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I do not really participate in my alumni network, but I do receive the newsletter. I do not have much to rate this off of. |
San Diego Christian College • El Cajon, CA
Studying Communication (completion in 2011)
• 11/4/2011
"I enjoyed it but do not see myself returning like others have. I am thankful for what it has provided me but think there is room for improvement!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | They lack the current means to do much with this area, because it is so broad. However, there are specific instructors who I would recommend in a heartbeat. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | Considering its size and location its reputation is accurate. It knows what needs to be fixed, and to the best of their ability they are working towards it. |
| Program Quality | 8 | It is a small school so it lacks the means of a larger University. It also lacks graduate degrees, which in most cases leaves its graduates searching for other schools upon graduation. |
| Instruction | 10 | The staff is 100% effective in helping you accomplish goals. The benefit of a small environment is favorable in this circumstance. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Small in many cases means helpful, but it also means attention to detail. There is a great pressure for success. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There is a balance but the application seems to almost outweigh the books at times. However, with different teachers in other programs the books carry more weight. So, it can vary. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | The do not have the means to be flexible. They try, but the end result usually favors what they want. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | They have the necessary resource means, but not a great quantity. They are looking toward expanding though. |
| Social Life | 10 | The community is what makes this place wonderful. The small environment and attention to detail, though at times annoying, is it what makes it special. |
| Placement Services | 10 | There are a lot of resources when it comes jobs. The staff works hard at helping place you where you will be most successful. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | Alumni are extremely involved. A majority stay involved with the school for years after they graduate. |
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