<p>This is very helpful – I will digest it, and may be back with more questions. I see that this field does not have a clear curricular sequence and academic path of entry, the way engineering or nursing would, to take two very extreme examples at the other end of the spectrum. But surely, even here, some preparatory paths are more useful than others, and I feel that it’s my job to get my arms around it for D. This is definitely the kind of information we need, to understand the field a little better.</p>
<p>Intuitively, I agree that adjuncts (who are otherwise working in the field) can be great in very applied fields – they taught some of our best classes in law school, and they are the backbone of many interior design programs. It seems like this, too, is a field where a kid would benefit from studying under working adjuncts.</p>
<p>One school with a dedicated programs in PR & Advertising, Organizational Communications, Digital Communications and Media, as well as high-octane local internship possibilities is DePaul in Chicago. It may not be in the range financially, but run their NPC, as they do tend to be surprisingly generous with ‘institutional’ aid, in addition to merit.</p>
<p>Internships are key to this profession, so another thing to look at is the location of the school.
Different regions represent different ad and PR emphasis. For example, NY would offer more financial and fashion advertising opportunities in addition to corporate, while the SF/Bay Area will offer a more tech focus. Chicago headquarters a number of agencies that focus more on corporate and consumer-oriented PR/advertising.</p>
<p>You make a good point about the locale. D is interested in the fashion industry, which would cut in favor of NY. New Jersey is also a hub of pharmaceutical companies.</p>
<p>There are some appealing schools in the boonies, but I worry about the way it makes it difficult to hunt for internships or post-graduation jobs. There will be few school year internships available in the boonies. And even lining up summer opportunities is harder, if you must miss two days of classes and buy an airline ticket every time you are offered an interview elsewhere. If you’re in or near a metropolitan area with a vital economy, you can focus your search efforts principally in that area, and be very responsive when asked to appear for a meeting. You could also seek opportunities elsewhere, of course, without having to do so out of desperation.</p>
<p>Two co-op programs that spring to mind are Drexel and Northeastern, both in economically vital regions. NJIT has a nice program, in a vital area. (I digress from PR and advertising programs, per se, as these schools are private and I haven’t even looked into what they might offer for this major.) I also think of Rochester Institute of Technology, in an area that was formerly an industrial powerhouse, but now seems to be in economic decline. I wonder if those students must now principally seek co-op employers in other areas?</p>