The George Washington University

Online Strategic Public Relations

Information Session
Tuesday, September 14th
@ 12:30 PM EST

To hear the audio portion, please follow

the instructions on your screen.
Logistics & Commonly Asked Questions

Logistics
• You are in listen-only mode
• Ask questions by typing into the chat box
• All questions will be addressed in the order asked

Commonly Asked Questions

• Will I be able to get copies of the slides?
YES
• Will I be able to get a recording of this webinar?
YES

2 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Panelists

Larry Parnell, BS/MBA

Associate Professor and Program Director
Online Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Public
Relations
The Graduate School of Political Management
The George Washington University

Elizabeth Alouche
Admissions Advisor
Online Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Public
Relations
On behalf of The Graduate School of Political Management
The George Washington University

3 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Agenda
• The GW Online Experience
• Experienced Faculty
• The Student Experience
• Online Program Overview
• Course Curriculum
• Degree Outcomes
• Quick Facts
• Admissions Requirements
• Financial Aid Options
• Q&A

4 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 The GW Online Experience
• Flexibility – Log in anytime, from any Internet connection.
Post responses on the discussion board and submit
assignments, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a
year.
• Connection – Gain individualized attention from faculty and
develop close relationships with fellow learners as you
interact with them creating a vast network of professional
contacts.
• Interaction – Post and respond to messages with fellow
business leaders. Online learning will keep you close to the
thinking and experience of your instructors and classmates.

• Timely Curriculum – Course content is continually updated.

Assignments incorporate the specific issues you deal with at
school allowing you to apply lessons from each course.

5 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Experienced Faculty

Faculty at GW are:
• Leaders in their fields
• Prominent scholars and
educators
• Specially trained to teach in an
online environment
• Real-world experts in their
industry

6 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 The Student Experience
Here is what some of our alumni have to say about this program:

“The George Washington University is a top national

university with experienced professors and robust online
degree programs. The online program for Strategic Public
Relations is an excellent program for public relations
professionals who are several years into their careers. The
program is taught by industry professionals who have
passion for their specialties and the desire to positively
promote and enhance the profession.”
~ Teresa Wolke, Online Strategic Public Relations
Graduate
To see more student success stories,
visit our website at gspmonline.com

7 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Online Program Overview
• Enroll in a 33-credit-hour master's program, delivered fully online
• Focused on public policy, advocacy, and communication roles played
by public relations firms, corporations, and associations
• Capture public attention, shape key public policy debates, and earn
the public trust as a successful strategic public relations professional
• Build your professional credentials that will position you to excel in
this challenging profession
• Learn to employ core public relations skills and the practical
application of strategic thinking
• Join other public relations professionals who work in the public
policy arena, the political arena, PR firms, and corporate and not-for-
profit PR departments

8 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Curriculum
• 11 core courses and one capstone seminar
• Courses include:
– Public Relations Principles and Practices (3 credits)
– Advanced Writing for Communications Professionals (3 credits)
– Media Relations in the New Media World (3 credits)
– The Business and Budgeting of Public Relations (3 credits)
– Ethical Standards in Public Relations and Public Affairs (3 credits)
– Strategic Marketing and Marketing (3 credits)
– Applied Public Relations and Public Affairs Research (3 credits)
– Issues Management and Crisis Communications (3 credits)
– Corporate Social Responsibility Communication Strategies (3 credits)
– Political Socialization (3 credits)
– Public Relations and Public Affairs Capstone Research Project (3 credits)

9 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Snapshot – An Online Course

Larry Parnell,
BS/MBA
Associate Professor
Program Director

“What does a typical

online course look like?”

10 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Career Outcomes

In March 2009, a survey of the online Masters in Strategic

Public Relations students was conducted to gauge their
perceptions on how this program is impacting their
careers.

•100% of students agreed that they apply what they

learn effectively at work to differentiate themselves from
their peers.
•One-third of students already received salary
increases within the first year of the program.

11 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Career Outcomes (Cont’d)

Connect with classmates who hold positions across the

nation, including:
• Director of Communications
• Vice President of Corporate Communications
• Account Directors
• Public Relations Managers
• Management & Employee Communications
Managers
• Public Information Administrator

12 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Informal Poll #1

Q: What would you like to learn about

in future information sessions?
 a) Course specific information
 b) Career opportunities in public
relations
 c) Learn about the program from
graduates or alumni

13 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 About
The George
Washington
University
 GW Quick Facts

• Private, coeducational, non-sectarian

university
• Located in Washington, DC, situated a few
blocks from the White House and the National
Mall
• Founded in 1821 as The Columbian College
on land provided by former President George
Washington
• Ranked 51st on U.S. News & World
Report's list of Top National Universities
• Ranked in the top 5 most politically active
colleges in U.S. by The Princeton Review

15 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Online Program Quick Facts

• One of few public relations

degrees, completely online
• Unique, practical degree
• Encompasses all areas of
strategic public relations:
media, marketing, and public
relations
• Two classes of graduates to
date

16 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Admission Requirements
• A completed application form
• Application fee
• A current resume with education and work
history outlined
• Three letters of recommendation
• A Statement of Purpose – a 250 to 500-word essay
describing your academic and professional goals
• A bachelor's degree with 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Three or more years of relevant, full-time,
professional work experience
OR
• Official results of the Graduate Record Exam
(GRE) general test

17 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Financial Aid Options

Employer-Sponsored Tuition Assistance:

•Employers may cover some of the tuition costs.
To learn more, consult your personnel office.

Financial Aid and Alternative Financing:

•To be eligible for the Federal Stafford Loan, you
must be a degree student and registered in a
minimum of five credit hours in a semester.

18 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Informal Poll #2

Q: What semester are you

considering applying for?
 a) Fall 2, 2010
 b) Spring 2011
 c) Summer 2011
 d) Not sure

19 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Questions?
Important
Important
Dates
Dates
Fall
Fall 2,
2, 2010
2010
Application
Application Deadline:
Deadline:
September
September 24,24, 2010
2010
Class
Class Start
Start Date:
Date:
October
October 25,
25, 2010
2010
Spring
Spring 1,
1, 2011
2011
Application
Application Deadline:
Deadline:
November
November 5, 5, 2011
2011
Class
Class Start
Start Date:
Date:
January
January 10,
10, 2011
2011

20 To contact our Admissions Office, please call 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423

 Contact Information
Do you have further questions Important
Important
regarding the MPS in
Strategic Public Relations Dates
Dates
online program? Fall
Fall 2,
2, 2010
2010
Application
Application Deadline:
Deadline:
Web: www.gspmonline.com/pr September
September 24,24, 2010
2010
E-mail: pr@gspmonline.com Class
Class Start
Start Date:
Date:
Toll-Free: 1.866.232.0232 Ext. 3423 October
October 25,
25, 2010
2010
Spring
Spring 1,
1, 2011
2011
www.facebook.com/GSPMgwu Application
Application Deadline:
Deadline:
www.twitter.com/GSPMgwu November
November 5, 5, 2011
2011
Class
Class Start
Start Date:
Date:
For more information about the GSPM On-Campus
January
January 10,
10, 2011
2011
programs, please call 202-994-6000 or visit
www.gwu.edu/gspm

21