Frequently Asked Questions

• Who are we?
• Who is eligible to join PRSA?
• How is SCPRSA organized?
• How can I volunteer?
• How can I join?
• Does PRSA offer a public relations accreditation program?
• What resources does SCPRSA and PRSA provide?
• Who is the typical PRSA member?
• Are PRSA resources available to non-members?
• How does a member change contact info after changing jobs?
• Can my membership be transferred?
• What are SCPRSA’s core areas of focus?

Who are we?

SCPRSA is a community of nearly 200 members from the top businesses throughout the
state, from recent college graduates to leaders of the state's top businesses. Our members represent nearly every practice area and professional and academic setting within the public relations field. In addition, there are three Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapters at Clemson University, the University of South Carolina, and College of Charleston.

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Who is eligible to join PRSA?

Answers to this and similar questions about becoming a PRSA member, including eligibility requirements, membership classes, dues costs, payment options and plans, benefits and Chapter and Section membership, can be found on our Membership Frequently Asked Questions page.

PRSA membership requires that individual members adhere to the principles of the Society's Member Code of Ethics. The level of public trust PRSA members seek, as they serve the public good, means that they have a special obligation to operate ethically.

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How is SCPRSA organized?

SCPRSA is a statewide chapter consisting of nearly 200 members from the state's top businesses. Three regions – Upstate, Midlands and Lowcountry – operate regular professional development and membership support programs.

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How can I volunteer?

We welcome all professionals interested in giving back to their profession while enhancing their leadership skills. To discuss local volunteer opportunities, please contact our Chapter president.

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How can I join?

Join online at www.prsa.org or complete a membership application. Then complete the SCPRSA new member information sheet. For more information, contact scprsa@earthlink.net.

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Does PRSA offer a public relations accreditation program?

The Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) program is a voluntary certification program for public relations professionals, who have demonstrated their expertise and commitment to the profession and its ethical practice. The Accreditation process includes preparing and submitting an application, advancing through a "Readiness Review" and passing a computer-based Examination.

The APR program is overseen by the Universal Accreditation Board, a consortium of public relations organizations that includes the PRSA and the Agricultural Relations Council, Florida Public Relations Association, Maine Public Relations Council, National School Public Relations Association, Religion Communicators Council, Southern Public Relations Federation, Texas Public Relations Association and Asociación de Relacionistas Profesionales de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Public Relations Association).

The UAB is responsible for developing and implementing policy for the program, developing and maintaining the accreditation exam, reviewing appeal cases and granting
Accreditation. The day-to-day operations of the UAB are administered at PRSA headquarters.

Click here for more information and to contact SCPRSA's Accreditation Chair.

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What resources does SCPRSA and PRSA provide?

National PRSA offers articles from Public Relations Tactics, Public Relations Strategist and Public Relations Journal. All available articles can be found on www.prsa.org using in the Find box on the top of each page or selecting categories from the Intelligence search page. Case profiles from PRSA's Silver Anvil programs can be found using the Silver Anvil Search. Members have free access to these electronic resources and will need to sign into MyPRSA to download the PDFs.

SCPRSA offers regular professional development sessions, including luncheons and a Fall Professional Development Conference. For each program, SCPRSA invites industry-leading speakers and experts to share valuable insights and experience that members can use in their own professions.

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Who is the typical PRSA member?

PRSA members include professionals from public relations agencies, corporations, government, health care institutions, military, professional services firms, associations, and nonprofit organizations; and academics.

National Members specialize in a myriad of disciplines, including media relations (71 percent), writer/editor (57 percent), marketing communications (53 percent), corporate communications (53 percent), community relations (49 percent), employee communications (43 percent) and public relations counseling (43 percent).

Nine in 10 PRSA members are employed full time, and three quarters hold positions with significant levels of managerial responsibility.

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Are PRSA resources available to non-members?

PRSA makes a variety of resources available to non-members, including select articles from Public Relations Tactics and Public Relations Strategist, public relations research from our peer-reviewed electronic journal Public Relations Journal, recent Silver Anvil case histories, blogs, podcasts and diversity and advocacy information. Material on our website that is intended exclusively for PRSA members is indicated with a lock icon.

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How does a member change contact info after changing jobs?

Please log into your www.prsa.org account to update your contact info. Also contact the SCPRSA Chapter Administrator at scprsa@earthlink.net to update your member listing in the directory.

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Can my membership be transferred?

Your National membership is applicable in any state. Your chapter membership can be transferred when your membership renewal is processed or anytime on request to membership@prsa.org.

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What are SCPRSA’s core areas of focus?

The South Carolina PRSA provides professional development, celebrates excellence in the field of communications and public relations, and upholds principles of ethics for its members.

Our focus is to enhance the value of our members and the profession through networking, educational content and real-world application opportunities. The SCPRSA Chapter represents members from the top businesses throughout the state.

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