One of the many benefits to membership in PRAM is the opportunity to become Accredited in Public Relations (APR). Earning the APR demonstrates your professional competence, expertise in the field, commitment to ethics, and desire to continue learning and improving. 

Established in 1964, APR is the nation’s only post-graduate PR certification program. To earn the APR, practitioners complete the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations Application, study, sit for a panel presentation, and complete the computer-based examination. You are not alone in this pursuit. Professionals representing numerous organizations have provided a wide range of study materials and related tips to help you prepare!

Your membership in PRAM also provides membership in the Southern Public Relations Federation. SPRF is one of nine member organizations of the Universal Accreditation Board administering the APR and other related programs. The APR+M is a special additional credential for professionals in military public affairs practice.

In addition to the APR and APR+M, the UAB now offers the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations. This is designed for seniors or graduate students in public relations or closely related areas of study who are within six months of graduation (before or after). The Certificate in Principles of Public Relations is an entry-level program similar to many other fields and provides external validation of public relations knowledge for these graduates as they enter careers. It is hoped that students earning the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations will earn the APR within five years.

All of these programs are designed to help professionals and future practitioners set themselves apart in the competitive field of public relations. Contact your local chapter leaders for more information or review the APR website.