Accreditation

The Alabama PRSA chapter is committed to promoting and assisting Alabama public relations professionals interested in taking their careers to the next level by becoming Accredited in Public Relations (APR). As accreditation increases best practices in public relations and promotes excellence in the profession, Alabama PRSA encourages pursuit of the APR, and to that end, offers classes and one-one-one mentoring to interested PR practitioners. The Alabama PRSA chapter is proud to be one of the highest APR-earning chapters in the country. For more information about training courses and/or a mentorship, contact one of the APR chairs listed below.

Visit accreditation.prsa.org to learn more about APR or contact one of the PRSA Alabama Chapter Accreditation Chairs: Carla Jean Whitley, APR, Tyrenda Williams-Reed, APR, or Kendra Carter, MPA, APR, at alabamachapterapr@gmail.com.

APR CEU Open House: January 30

For Accredited Professionals

During this Zoom open house, the committee will review volunteer/CEU opportunities with our chapter’s Accredited professionals.

APR Open Houses: February

These informal, in-person gatherings hosted by APRs will allow prospective candidates to meet others in the process and make connections with Accredited professionals.

• CEUs for participating APRs: 0.5 (professionalism, leadership in Accreditation of other professionals)
• Details to be announced.

Questionnaire Workshops: April

APRs will host small-group, in-person workshops in multiple locations to guide candidates through the questionnaire process. Candidates must submit a questionnaire-in-progress when registering for the event; this is not intended to be the first time candidates look at the document.

• CEUs for participating APRs: 0.5 (professionalism, leadership in Accreditation of other professionals)
• Details to be announced.

APR Month Chapter Meeting: April

Speaker and location to be announced.

• CEUs for participating APRs: 0.5 for speaker (professionalism, leadership in Accreditation of other professionals); 0.5 for attendees (continuing education, less than one-day session)

First Panel Date: Mid-May

The Accreditation committee is scheduling two dates for APR panels. This will give candidates dates to plan for as they pursue the credential. We anticipate a mix of in-person and virtual options.

• Candidates can still schedule separately as needed.
• CEUs for participating APRs: 0.5 per evaluator; 1 for panel chair (professionalism, leadership in Accreditation of other professionals)
• Details to be announced.

Second Panel Date: Mid-August/September

The Accreditation committee is scheduling two dates for APR panels. This will give candidates dates to plan for as they pursue the credential. We anticipate a mix of in-person and virtual options.

• Candidates can still schedule separately as needed.
• CEUs for participating APRs: 0.5 per evaluator; 1 for panel chair (professionalism, leadership in Accreditation of other professionals)
• Details to be announced.

APR Study Course: September & October

The nine-week APR study course walks through exam KSAs, one week at a time, to help candidates prepare to sit for the examination. The committee recommends (but does not require) that participants pass their panel before attending this course.

• The course is held virtually so geography isn’t a limiting factor for speakers or candidates.
• CEUs for APR speakers: 1 (professionalism, leadership in Accreditation of other professionals)
• Details to be announced.

Cristina Almanza, APR

Ashley Babb, APR

Jim Bakken, APR

Denise Berkhalter, APR

Jasmine Bourgeois, APR

Sharee Broussard, Ph.D., APR

Missy Burchart, APR

Meg Burton, APR

Carl Carter, APR

Joy Carter, APR

Kendra Carter, APR

Patrice T. Conwell, APR

Timothy Dodson, APR

Ally Dorrough, APR

Betsy Emmons, Ph.D., APR

Rachael Farr, APR

Marian R. Faulk, APR

Brittany Fillmore, APR

Ashley Foster, APR