The semester has just started, but public relations students at Western Carolina University are already preparing for the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations Examination in a new class being offered this semester.
This semester, public relations students at WCU have the unique opportunity to take the examination at no additional expense due to a donation made by Janet Oppenheimer to the Department of Communication. This has allowed for the creation of COMM 493: Certificate in Principles of Public Relations Preparatory Class, and the first ever cohort to study the examination.
“This is something that we’ve wanted to do for a few years, so we are excited that we’ve been able to make it a reality. Additionally, I love the interest, dedication, and passion for studying for the examination I’m seeing in the students so far. The students in the Certification class are pursuing this not because they have to, but because they want to and see the potential benefit,” said Betty Farmer, professor of communication and public relations, who will be co-teaching this class alongside Scott Eldredge, head of the Department of Communication.
The Certificate in Principles Examination is created and administered by the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The examination is thoroughly researched by the UAB to test students on all aspects of public relations principles and the practice, including crisis communication, skills, abilities, research, planning, communication models and theories.
Farmer and Eldredge have designed their lesson plan based on months of research of public relations lessons in other universities as well as utilizing the study guides provided by the UAB and PRSA. Professionals from the Western North Carolina chapter of PRSA and WCU will also be invited to cover content in their respective areas of expertise.
“Successful completion of the certification exam helps students ‘stand out when they start out’ in a competitive job market. Prospective employers who see the Certificate listed on our students’ resumes will have confidence that those students have the foundational knowledge, skills, and attitudes expected of entry-level public relations professionals,” said Farmer.
This preparatory class is made possible due to the Janet Oppenheimer Legacy Endowment Fund. This fund was created in the summer of 2025 and provided $25,000 to the Department of Communication in pledges and gifts. This donation will not only pay for the certification exam, but will also provide public relations students with more professional opportunities throughout their college experience.
Peyton Hollenbacher, COMM 493 student and president of Western Carolina’s PRSSA, said, “To me this class opened a door that we didn’t know was there. It makes me nervous and excited to start my accreditation journey at WCU and with classmates and professors I have grown close to.”