Five business schools, including two top-ranked MBA programs, have joined with the Public Relations Society of America to introduce a new communications course for MBA students for the 2012-2013 academic year. The program was created in response to the view within the business community that executives need better preparation in public relations (PR) and communications. A 2011 survey by the society showed that 97% of business leaders said that in addition to having PR pros, companies need executives who understand corporate reputation management. And 98% felt that business schools should teach students these skills—and many do not. The business schools taking part in this program include
- the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth
- the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
- the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland
- the School of Business at Quinnipiac University
- the College of Business Administration at the University of Texas, El Paso
Although these five business schools are the only ones that will offer this program this year, the society hopes to release the public relations course and a related guide to business schools nationwide. So, you could be burnishing your PR skills soon…
