Dates
January 2-18, 2014*
Application Fee
$100
Program Fee
$3,878
The Program Fee includes tuition and program expenses. Click on Program Fee for details.
International airfare and personal expenses are not included in the Program Fee and are the responsiblity of the participant.
Application Deadline
October 5, 2012
Eligibility
This program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students with a cumulative GPA of 2.25, including students who do not attend George Mason University.
Students must have completed COMM 330 to be eligible for this program.
Credits
Undergraduate
3 semester credits in COMM 392: Public Relations Study Abroad
Housing
Hotel in London (double-occupancy)
Excursions
There is a full day excursion to Canterbury.
Contact
Sarah Mournighan via email or by calling 703.993.2106 or toll free at 866.468.1243. The toll free number does not accept calls from the 703 or 571 area code.
Downloadable Documents
Syllabus available upon request
Faculty Info
Mike Dickerson'S bio [HTML]
Study abroad in England this Winter Break - the field of Public Relations has reached a global level, crossing social, cultural, and political borders. This program’s participants will be granted unique access to several professional organizations in London that are involved in public relations.
During this study abroad program, students gain unique access to various PR firms, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the Cabinet War Rooms, a government public affairs office, and an international association!

Some students who enroll in this program are considering becoming international public relations professionals. Others simply want to know what public relations is and whether they want to study it further. This course will meet the needs of both groups. That is, the course introduces students to theories that can guide or explain public relations success and failure. Students will visit international public relations organizations and experience a range of real public relations challenges. Specifically, in this course, students will:
--> Obtain a better understanding of today’s international public relations and study the public relations challenges involved in managerial work
--> Understand and apply communication theories and ethical principles in international public relations efforts
--> Identify principal types of public relations work including employee relations, media relations, government relations, stockholder relations, community relations, stakeholder relations, and special event planning
--> Study the effects of social marketing, mobile communication, corporate social responsibilities and how they effect today’s public relations practices
--> Gain experience in using standard public relations vehicles, such as the research memorandum, backgrounder, proposal, the press release, the flier, kiosk, web page, thank-you note, and fact sheet
Other topics considered while abroad include media relations, crisis communication, issues management, special event planning,
research, and the challenges of public relations management.
Students will stay in a hotel in downtown London and have the opportunity to explore various parts of the city in their spare time. All site visits are complemented by talks by local experts on a variety of topics. This program has been one of our most successful and is sure to fill up, so act now to reserve your spot!
Academic Director
Mike Dickerson is a Term Professor and Internship Coordinator for the Communication Department at George Mason University. Professor Dickerson has authored a number of articles on international public relations. He was recently appointed to the board of the Association of Americans for Civic Responsibility. He is also a private consultant in public relations and communication and is a producer/writer with InterMedia Development Corporation. At George Mason, Professor Dickerson is the Department’s Director of Outreach. He is also the advisor to the Public Relations Student Society of America and a member of the Order of Omega Honor Society.
Dates: January -18, 2014*
You should plan to leave the United States at least one day prior to the program start date to arrive in London for the first day of the program. You can schedule your return to the United States from London for the last day of the program or choose to travel independently.
Do not purchase airfare until you are advised by your Program Officer.
Program Fee: $TBD
The Center for Gobal Education Program Fee includes:
- Tuition
- Housing
- Some meals
- Tube pass
- Pre-departure orientation
- Emergency medical insurance, including medical evacuation and repatriation
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to George Mason students. George Mason students can click here to download the CGE Global Perspectives scholarship application. Mason students may also use financial aid to cover a program's cost. If you are not a George Mason university student check with your study abroad office or office of financial aid to learn more about how to cover the cost of your study abroad.
How to Apply
Consult the How to Apply section for detailed instructions. Start by completing the online application. Pay the $100 application fee.
Note that all supplemental documents are required by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Contact the Program Officer for further application forms and instructions specific to your program.

