Ball State University's public relations sequence in the Department of Journalism is one of the premier programs in the country.

A new directory compiled by Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Fellow and former Marquette University PR professor Bill Baxter recently listed Ball State's program among the best 23 programs.

"Baxter has conducted national opinion polls on public relations programs in the past, and this time has provided an analysis based on a careful evaluation of curriculum, program and faculty credentials," said Melvin L. Sharpe, APR, Fellow PRSA and director of the sequence. "It is probably the most thoughtfully prepared evaluation of public relations programs completed to date."

Baxter surveyed more than 160 schools for the directory. Premier programs were selected after faculty credentials and achievements were examined and each program was analyzed. Each curriculum was compared to the course design recommended by the 1987 Report of the Commission on Undergraduate Public Relations Education.

Sharpe says that Ball State is often cited as one of the nation's strongest programs by public relations professionals.

"In particular, Ball State graduates are known to have better writing and design skills than graduates of many other universities nationally and to have a reasonably sound understanding of strategic planning and of its importance," he said. "Our graduates are also known to have better portfolios and resumes upon graduation as a result of student involvement in the student-operated public relations and advertising firm, Cardinal Communications, and participation in an active PRSSA chapter that exposes students to professional speakers and leadership-building activities."

Other factors in Ball State's premier program are a required internship program, faculty advising and encouragement, and the support of the Hoosier (Indianapolis) chapter of the PRSA, Sharpe said.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about this story contact Lori Rader at 765-285-1560 or lrader@bsu.edu.)