Iona College has announced a huge change to the graduate public relations program for the fall 2013 semester. Next year, the program will expand to include a branch taught at a location in Manhattan. The program is very similar to the current one, retaining the same requirements of 36 credits, or 12 classes. Dr. James Eggensperger, the head of the program, said, “It’s not a new PR program, it’s just being taught at a different location.”

The program will have classes in a facility in Rockefeller Center. This location was made available to Iona through an alumnus who works for Rockefeller Group and became aware of the space. He informed Eggensperger of the fact that, while it is in use during the day, no one is there at the time Iona would hold night classes. Eggensperger said, “I was talking to Brian Nickerson about new opportunities and we said ‘Why not teach in Manhattan?’”

The new location will have an impact on the program. The Manhattan location makes it easier for current professionals to get to the classes. Eggensperger said, “We wanted to reach a different audience.” To date, they have met with the major PR organizations in New York as well as with alumni who are based in Manhattan to spread the word about the new location.

It also limits the number of students who can be in the program. The new location has space for 16 students. Eggensperger said, “We’re trying to get a cohort of 12 to 16 students who will go through the program together.”

The location also opens up new possibilities for adjunct professors. Eggensperger, when asked about the benefits of the program, said, “They will get a degree taught by professionals in the field who have experience at agencies as well as major organizations.” Being located in Manhattan means that potential adjuncts will not have to travel as far to come teach a class, bringing a wider variety of experiences to the program and giving students a richer education. Not every professor will be new, however. Eggensperger said, “At least half the courses will be taught by Iona faculty.”

Another unique feature of the program is the fact that it is the only accredited graduate public relations program between Boston and Washington, D.C. This, in addition to the fact that it is also significantly cheaper than unaccredited programs offered by New York University and Columbia University, makes the importance of this program obvious.

The graduate public relations program is a two-year degree program. Students take two classes a semester and the classes are hybrids, with a strong online component. There will be an open house on May 9 at the Rockefeller location.

For more information, contact Dr. Eggensperger at [email protected].