MS in Public Relations at Boston University

Programme overview

The world's first university-based degree programme in public relations (begun 1947), combining theory, research and practice in media relations, intercultural affairs, digital expression, ethics, crisis communication and campaign strategy. It prepares students for PR careers and doctoral study.

Faculty: College of Communication | Duration: Minimum 12 courses (48 units); length in years not stated | Study mode: full-time | Location: Boston, MA, United States

What you will study

Seven required courses (28 units) including a PRLab or Internship, Financial and Strategic PR Management, Contemporary PR, Basic Media Writing, Communication Research Methods and Strategic Media Relations, plus 20 units of electives such as Crisis Management, PR Ethics and Social Media Strategy, and a faculty-reviewed Presentation of Final Work.

Career pathways

Corporate, nonprofit, public affairs and media-based communication roles; the programme also supports doctoral study.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

College of Communication master's programmes: no minimum GPA and no required undergraduate major; GRE not required. Two recommendation letters, a personal statement with programme-specific prompts, a resume or CV, unofficial transcripts at application, and a Kira Talent assessment are required, and a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is needed before enrolling. English proficiency is required for applicants with a degree from a non-English-speaking institution: TOEFL iBT 100 (5.0 on the scale used from January 2026), TOEFL Essentials 10.5, IELTS 7.0 or Duolingo 130. Application fee $95. Priority deadline February 1, final deadline May 1. Public Relations: one document of up to 750 words (interest in PR; a communication challenge and approach).

Requirements published at faculty level.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences master's programmes admit for Fall 2027; Spring 2027 entry is offered for selected programmes (Economics MS programmes, History of Art & Architecture MA, Preservation Studies MA, Online MS in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence).

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Fall 2027 master's deadlines are mostly priority January 15 and final March 15 (African American & Black Diaspora Studies priority February 15, final March 15; Preservation Studies February 15; Sociology and History of Art & Architecture January 15). Spring 2027 deadlines for selected programmes are priority October 15 and final November 15. Applications are submitted through the online application; the GRE is required only for the Economics MS/MA programmes and the MS in Psychological & Brain Sciences.

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