March 30, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ron Council, APR, PRCA-B VP Accreditation, 205 592-6435

PRCA-B TO HOST ACCREDITATION CLASS BEGINNING APRIL 6

BIRMINGHAM – The Birmingham chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA-B) will sponsor a six-week accreditation study course for PR practitioners interested in pursuing accreditation in public relations (APR), a mark of distinction signifying demonstrated commitment to the profession and its ethical practice.

The course will begin on April 6 and will be held each Wednesday, from 11:30 a.m. till 1 p.m., till the end of May at the Children’s Health System Park Place building. Reservations are required, but the course is free to all members and non-members of the association.

“It is designed to serve as a condensed version of a 12-week preparation course for PR practitioners planning to sit for the accreditation exam,” said Ron Council, PRCA-B vice president of accreditation. “It’s intended to serve as an introduction to the most fundamental areas addressed on the APR examination and provide advice about how to review the comprehensive curriculum.”

The class will cover:

·    Communication theory

·    Legal aspects – libel, privacy, copyright

·    Ethics

·    Research – types and applications

·    A comprehensive case study

“This class is being held for the sole purpose to give practitioners who are considering pursuing accreditation the information they need to do it successfully,” Council said. “If someone is hesitant about pursuing accreditation or unsure of their experience or expertise in the field, this class will let them put their toes in the water to see what it’s like.”

To register or for more information, contact Ron Council at 205 592-6435 or Rcouncil@metromonitor.com (Please place “PRCA ACCREDITATION CLASS” in your subject line).

Accreditation in Public Relations is a voluntary certification program for public relations professionals, administered by the Universal Accreditation Board. The purpose is to unify and advance the profession by identifying those who have demonstrated broad knowledge, experience and professional judgment in the field.

For more information, visit www.prca-b.com. For directions, call 205/558-2947.

 - PRCA-B -