M.A. in Public Relations and Reputation Management

Overview
In an age of disinformation, there is a growing need for trustworthy voices — ethical counselors who can advise stakeholders and craft messaging that inspires trust. Biola’s Master of Arts in Public Relations is designed to equip students to lead the way in building strategic, mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and the public.
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Concentrations
- Digital ManagementIn our ever faster-moving digital world, you need to be ready to be proactive and effectively handle trends to create innovative campaigns and evaluate their effectiveness. Stay on top by learning the best practices for managing issues, risks, and crises that impact organizations and how to use the latest tools in the social media industry.
- LeadershipPointing an organization in the right direction to achieve a common goal requires enhanced managerial skills, innovative thinking to create and manage change for productivity and the practical and theoretical foundation to successfully navigate and recover from crises.
- Media EthicsStudy the foundations that gave birth to the current media landscape, including international influences, ethical matters, and relevant trends and perspectives. Influence a wider latitude of media outlets and mediums with this powerful combination of courses, all from a Christian worldview.
- Strategic CommunicationExcel as a confident and ethical public relations professional who knows how to address current trends and issues and find the useful elements to create innovative strategies to influence and reach a variety of media outlets.
Why Study Public Relations at Biola?
The Master of Arts in Public Relations and Reputation Management matches academic rigor with practical application — forming the way you develop strategies, communicate and understand your work.
- Leadership Development. Practical, professionally oriented coursework equips you to enhance your leadership capabilities. Your studies culminate in a capstone project centered on applying your learning within public relations-specific positions.
- Ethics Emphasis. Go beyond considering how to ethically engage to ask why. As you integrate Christian perspectives on human identity and work, you’ll see public relations as an opportunity to serve — a perspective that drives decision-making.
- Relational Investment. Small class sizes and community intentionality promote meaningful connections between faculty and students, creating relationships that will challenge you to excel professionally and academically.
- Established Reputation. Learn from award-winning faculty in a respected public relations program. Biola Public Relations has been nationally recognized for its student publications and initiatives and created a legacy of motivated, high-achieving alumni.
- Online Flexibility. Biola’s Master’s in Public Relations is offered entirely online, empowering you to complete an advanced executive education from anywhere in the world in as few as 12 months.
What Will I Study?
Your public relations degree combines advanced core coursework in public relations with integration courses and elected concentration courses in Media Ethics, Leadership, Strategic Communication and Digital Management, and culminates in a capstone course. You’ll cover topics such as:
- Creating, developing and executing campaigns
- Digital analytics and emerging strategic technologies
- Ethical decision-making models
- Developing sustainable patterns by reframing work as stewardship
- Crisis and reputation management
- Paid placement and cultivating customer relationships
Sample Course Videos
Curious what lectures are like? View the videos to get a glimpse into some of the M.A. in Public Relations and Reputation Management courses at Biola University.