Post on 16-Apr-2017
Want to Know About the APR?
Kristina Hendrix, APRPRCA- North Alabama
What are wegoing to talk about?
Accreditation sets industry standards
Making Accreditation personal
Resources
Accreditation and our changing profession
What your next steps should be
96% of Accredited
professionals find the APR
credential valuable
Accreditationsets professional standards
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Research, planning, implementing and
evaluating programs Ethics and law Communication models and theories Business literacy Management skills and issues Crisis communication management Media relations Using information technology
efficiently History of and current issues in public
relations Advanced communication skills
93% of Accredited professionals agree
the Examination covers the KSAs
needed to succeed.
Accreditationdefines the profession
Sets standards “science” of public relations
Legitimizes profession standards uniformity
Builds accountable ethics legal knowledge
Accredited professionals find
the process establishes the
practice as strategic (93%)
and ethical (91%).
Accreditationserves changing profession
Continued high standards Brand equity through unified program across many
industries, specialties, geographies Meeting human resource recruiting criteria Increased visibility among business and human
resource communities
TakingAccreditation personally
Professionals find Accreditation to be a source of pride (91%) develop professional skills (78%) provide personal benefit (75%) help resolve ethical dilemmas
(58%)
94% of those Accredited would
become Accredited again.
96% would recommend it to a
colleague.
The APR Process
Apply for Eligibility
Complete Readiness
Review Questionnair
e
Participate in Readiness
Review
Take the Computer-
Based Exam
Step 1: Getting Started
Must be a member of a Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) participating organization
Recommend that you have at least 5 years of PR experience
Download the application from the UAB website Submit your application to the UAB
Step 2: Readiness Review Questionnaire
APR Readiness Review Questionnaire
How do I start writing?
Be concise Explain where who you are and your company
structure Find a good PR plan that you are passionate about
explaining to others Familiarize yourself with the KSAs to map it back to
your PR plan and questionnaire
When should I start writing?
Some people start before they apply for their APR Others wait until after they apply
Who should review it?
APR mentors Other PR professionals Trusted individuals
Step 3: Readiness Review
Develop a portfolio of collateral pieces from the PR plan you wrote in your questionnaire
Organize your portfolio so you can get around it quickly
You are only showing the portfolio and not leaving the items with the panelists
Anticipate questions that the panelists may have
What happens during the Readiness Review?
Three APRs will be your panelists. Some you may know and others you may not.
It will last no longer than 2 hours They will question you on your PR plan based on the
KSAs They will help assess and direct you as you continue to
study for the CBE
How can I make myself more confident during this process?
Schedule your Readiness Review when YOU are ready Wear comfortable, yet professional clothes and shoes Use technology and other materials that you are VERY
comfortable using PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
Step 4: Computer-Based Exam Within two weeks, you will get the official letter that
you advanced or did not advance to the CBE. Once you are advanced to take the CBE, you can schedule your exam.
Take the exam when you are READY! Study, Study, STUDY! After you complete the exam, you will get an unofficial
score and your official score will be sent to you in the mail.
Is there anything else?
Your chapter will want to congratulate you on your accomplishment with a luncheon or pinning ceremony.
PRCA and SPRF do offer a reimbursement if your company paid for it.
Other Resources
PRSA’s ComPRehension Blog PR Accreditation Website Local Chapter APRs State and Regional APRs Study Groups
We want you to become APR!