December 17, 2021 (Jackson, Miss.) - Belhaven University students Hillary Malvaney and Calli Moore are now part of select few to earn the prestigious Certificate in Principles of Public Relations, a nationally-recognized credential signifying their preparation to enter the public relations profession.
Malvaney and Moore, senior public relations majors, join four other Belhaven students who have earned the national certification.
Students must undertake a rigorous study course for the exam, administered by the Universal Accreditation Board, the public relations profession's international accrediting body. The exam covers a variety of knowledge about the practice of public relations, including history, ethics, law, crisis communications, and business knowledge.
"I' am so proud of Hillary and Calli, who have worked hard to attain this certification,” said Bill Moak, APR, Chair and Assistant Professor of Communication at Belhaven. “They have a bright future in the communication profession." Belhaven is one of two universities in Mississippi currently offering the certificate and is one of the only institutions in the nation to require public relations majors to take the exam.
“Having the certificate can give emerging professionals a competitive edge in the job market, and signifies that you're prepared in not only the basics of public relations practice, but also have an understanding of public relations law, ethics, and how it fits into the overall business,” Moak added.
The University is one of 58 colleges to support the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations, and offers a course to prepare students to take the exam.