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Consultants join ranks of PR faculty
Being a consultant and teaching part-time at the local institution of higher education seem to go hand-in-hand for a lot of IPs, myself included. Teaching is a great way to give back to the public relations profession, and it helps keep me connected to the next generation of practitioners. It also encourages me to stay current on the latest trends and techniques and provides a bit of additional income. And as a huge bonus — it never fails to impress clients.
If you’re interested in joining the faculty at your local college, here is some information to help you get started.
Most colleges and accrediting bodies require instructors to have a degree higher than that the students are pursuing. For example, I have a master’s degree and teach undergraduate courses. To teach at a community college, a bachelor’s degree may be required. To teach graduate level courses often requires a Ph.D. or other doctoral level degree. If no one with such credentials is available to teach in your community, the university may let someone with a master’s *and* a wealth of professional experience teach a PR course. After you express interest in teaching, the department head or college dean will likely ask for a resume and an official transcript to document your credentials.
Once you’re approved to join the faculty, you’ll be assigned a specific course. This may happen immediately or it may take a term or two to have an opening that fits. If you’re lucky, the department may already have an approved syllabus, sample assignments and tests, and a textbook already lined up for use by adjunct instructors. If not, you’ll need to select your textbook, develop tests and assignments, and define your learning objectives and classroom policies in an official syllabus. You’ll also need to start preparing your own teaching materials, gathering handouts and case studies and outlining your lectures.
Stepping foot into the classroom that first time is an experience you won’t soon forget and one you won’t regret. It’s not quite like the Met, but it might feel like it.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:50 am
is a great article, very good information. thanks!!!
February 5th, 2011 at 1:27 am
Yea i agree that teaching is a good way to improve on PR skills and away to impact others lives.What i though link about teaching is that its very theoretical and most cases do not connect with the market activities well.Take example of accountant with masters degree in accounting.You need to take same period through orientation at work place to be able to get on with work.I think teaching need to be more practical.