NSC Prepares PR Professionals

Story by Nicholson News

Savannah Mattox, a 2016 NSC alumna, said having her CPRP was an advantage in landing a position at Victoria’s Secret Pink in New York.

The UCF College of Sciences’ Nicholson School of Communication is one of 22 institutions in the country to offer a course to prepare its students for the Certificate of Public Relations Principles (CPRP) exam. One semester in, the course has had great results.

The inaugural class had 10 students, six of whom have taken and passed the exam.

“100 percent is fantastic,” said Tina McCorkindale, President & CEO of Institute for Public Relations “It is not an easy test.”

The nationally recognized certification complements the bachelor’s degree offered by NSC and gives additional qualification to new PR professionals entering the work force, said Lisa Malone, NSC’s Kennedy Space Center liaison, who taught the course.

Once students have successfully completed the preparatory course, they can sit for the computer-based examination that will test knowledge and skills on: 1) history of and current issues in public relations, 2) ethics and law, 3) researching, planning, implementing and evaluating programs, 4) crisis communication management and 5) media relations.

Savannah Mattox, a 2016 NSC alumna who started her new role as a Digital Marketing Coordinator at Victoria’s Secret Pink in New York last month, thinks having her CPRP was an advantage in landing the position. Victoria’s Secret Pink targets college age girls from 19-22. Not only does she fit the demographic perfectly, but few recent graduates can say they have such a certificate.

Mattox encourages any student interested in public relations to take the course and any other course taught by Malone.

“Her crisis communication lecture was awesome!” Mattox said. “She was there when the Columbia and Challenger disasters occurred so that lecture specifically was really emotional.”

Students who pass the exam will be allowed to use the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations designation for five years, at which point they will have the opportunity to sit for the examination for Accreditation in Public Relations. For more information on the certificate or course, visit the website or contact lisa.malone@ucf.edu for enrollment information.

View original story, here.