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ACCREDITATION IN
​PUBLIC RELATIONS (APR)

The Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) is a credential that sets you apart from your peers and positioning you as an expert and leader in the public relations field, and demonstrates your dedication to keeping current on best practices and applications in the ever-evolving communications world.

The APR Process is graduate-level material that will assist you in becoming more strategic and provide a proven planning process, using an APR Study Guide and KSAs that will elevate your communications game.

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The APR:

  • Asserts professional competence

  • Communicates professional expertise, plus personal and professional dedication and values

  • Reflects progressive public relations industry practices and high standards

It is recommended that candidates have at least five years’ experience in the full-time practice or teaching of public relations and who have earned either a bachelor’s degree in a communication-specific field (e.g., public relations, journalism, mass communication) or have equivalent work experience, which includes public relations principles, public relations writing, public relations campaigns, research, ethics and law and internship (practical experience under supervision). Some member organizations have stricter requirements.


ACCREDITATION IN FIVE STEPS

  1. Download the APR Study Guide and contact your APR Chair to discuss your timeline.

  2. Complete your questionnaire with a mentor and your APR Chair.

  3. Apply to formally begin the process.

  4. Prepare and sit for the APR Panel Presentation.

  5. Take the APR Computer-based exam.

Military public affairs professionals can earn the Accreditation in Public Relations + Military Communication (APR+M).  For College Seniors and Recent Grads Certificate in PR there is the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations.

Stats about APRs:

  • 20 APRs in the Pikes Peak Chapter

  • 1 APR+M in the Pikes Peak Chapter

  • 102 APRs in Colorado

  • 1 APR+M in Colorado

  • 3,477 APRs in the US

  • 42 APR+M in the US

"I pursued the APR because I wanted to learn and challenge myself as an Army public affairs officer transitioning into a new area of PR... I truly gained a new perspective on what it means to be a member of PRSA – and for this, I am very grateful.”

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JP Arnold, APR; Accreditation Chair

Below is a list of current/former Pikes Peak Chapter members in the Colorado Springs / Pueblo / Monument areas who earned their APR (Accreditation in Public Relations):

  • Lisa Bade, APR

  • Samantha 'Sam' Briggs, APR​

  • ​Catherine Creppon, APR

  • Fred Morgan, APR, Fellow PRSA

  • Andrew Montgomery, APR

  • ​Christy McGee, APR

  • ​Janet Stevens, APR

  • Joe Swaty, APR

  • Paul Fanning, APR

  • ​Don Miles, APR+M, Fellow PRSA (Inaugural 2010 Group) 

  • ​Chuck Wood, APR, Fellow PRSA

  • Barry Grossman, APR

  • Joy Maples, APR

  • Mark Murphy, APR

  • Natalie Eckhart, APR

  • ​Steve Berry, APR

  • Cheron, Cole, APR

  • Nikki Richardson, APR

  • ​Natalie Watts, APR

  • Lisa Schmutzer Bade, APR

  • ​Lisa Bachman, APR

  • ​Paul Dusseault, APR

  • Melissa Lyby, APR

  • Katie Carrol-Whitton, APR

  • Nicole Greenwood, APR

  • ​Julia Martin, APR

  • Mary Vanier, APR

  • John Leavitt, APR

  • Mary Ann Strombitski, APR

  • Ken Hunter, APR

  • ​Greg Kalkwarf, APR

  • ​Johnpaul 'JP' Arnold, APR

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