Three Canadian post-secondary programs recognized by CPRS for excellence in public relations education

TORONTO, July 19, 2013 /CNW/ - The pathway to success in the public relations profession starts with education. And now three additional programs at two Canadian post-secondary institutions have the Canadian Public Relations Society's (CPRS) "Seal of Recognition" to prove it. During the Canadian Public Relations Conference, the Society's National Council on Education announced that Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in Richmond, B.C. and McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario are the two latest Canadian institutes to receive official recognition from CPRS for the public relations programs they offer.

"Being recognized for our diploma program is another step forward in educating tomorrow's PR practitioners," said Ange Frymire, APR, FCPRS, and acting public relations co-ordinator, who was presented with KPU's award at the CPRS National Conference held in Ottawa June 9-11, 2013. "Our graduates have achieved outstanding successes in the workplaces that began in the halls of KPU."

The process is outlined in Pathways to the Profession™, a comprehensive document outlining how colleges and universities can demonstrate alignment of their courses and experiential learning to the values, knowledge and skills necessary for communications practitioners. Twenty-five per cent of English universities offering eligible public relations and communications management programs now have recognized programs under the Pathways to the Profession™ framework.

McMaster University's Honours Bachelor of Professional Communication (BPC) and Master of Communications Management (MCM) programs were both recognized by CPRS. "Having our two programs recognized by CPRS through the Pathways program was an important step toward achieving credibility for our students. Recognition means that employers can be confident that our students are being educated to the highest academic and professional standards. Pathways recognition means that employers can be confident that our graduates are market-ready upon graduation," said Alex Sevigny, APR, PhD, associate professor, McMaster University.

KPU and McMaster join Mount Saint Vincent University (Halifax), Conestoga College (Kitchener) and the University of Victoria (Victoria), as the only post-secondary public relations programs in the country officially recognized by the Canadian Public Relations Society.

About CPRS
Founded in 1948, the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is a not-for-profit organization whose members are engaged in the practice, management or teaching of public relations. Members work to maintain the highest standards and to share a uniquely Canadian experience in public relations. CPRS is a federation of more than 1,800 members across 14 Member Societies based in major cities or organized province-wide.  For more information, visit our website: cprs.ca.

SOURCE: Canadian Public Relations Society

Bryan Sparks
Communications
Canadian Public Relations Society
Business: [phone]