Recommended Textbooks

Each text is listed with the Competencies/KSAs  covered by its content to help candidates select those most appropriate for their individual preparation. Each candidate should select the text or texts best suited for his/her own preparation and professional development.  Book titles link to sources for text purchases.  You do NOT need to buy every text listed.

• The “Short Bookshelf” reflects those texts cited as the most widely used preparation resources.
• The “Longer Bookshelf” includes additional texts that candidates may also wish to review for personalized preparation and professional development.

The basis for every question on the computer-based portion of the Examination can be traced to one or several of these texts.

Short Bookshelf

• The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law
  Associated Press
  KSAs/Competencies Covered: Leading the Public Relations Function; Applying Ethics and Law; Managing Issues and Crisis Communications.
• Cutlip and Center's Effective Public Relations
  Broom, Glen M., Sha, Bey-Ling
  KSAs/Competencies Covered: All
• Primer of Public Relations Research
  Stacks, Don W.
  KSAs/Competencies Covered: Researching, Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Programs; Managing Issues and Crisis Communications.
• Public Relations Strategies and Tactics
  Wilcox, Dennis L., and Glen T. Cameron.
  KSAs/Competencies Covered: All
• Strategic Planning for Public Relations
  Smith, Ronald D.
  KSAs/Competencies Covered: Understanding Communication Models, Theories and History of the Profession; Researching, Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Programs; Managing Issues and Crisis Communications.

Longer Bookshelf

• Advertising and Public Relations Law
  Moore, Roy L., Carmen Maye, Erik L. Collins.
  KSAs/Competencies Covered: Applying Ethics and Law; Managing Issues and Crisis Communication; Understanding Communication Models, Theories and History of the Profession.
• Campaign Strategies and Message Design
  Moffitt, Mary Anne.
  KSAs/Competencies Covered: Understanding Communication Models, Theories and History of the Profession; Researching, Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Programs.
• The Handbook of Strategic Public Relations & Integrated Communications
  Caywood, Clarke L., ed.
  KSAs/Competencies Covered: All.
• The Practice of Public Relations
  Seitel, Fraser P.
  KSAs/Competencies Covered: All.
• This is PR: The Realities of Public Relations
  Newsom, Doug, Judy VanSlyke Turk, and Dean Kruckeberg.
  KSAs/Competencies Covered: All.

Testimonial

Earning the APR reinforced for me that although I was a sole practitioner in an association office, I still understood and practiced my profession with the same level of skill as “the big corporate boys.” Since I became APR while I was Chapter president, it gave other Chapter members confidence that they could earn the APR, too.  When that first association position ended, having the APR gave me the confidence to open my own solo practice 21 years ago! 

Diane Slaughter, APR, Fellow PRSA
Owner
Homestead Communications
Charleston, West Virginia

 Have your own APR story to tell?  Email accred@prsa.org