Strategic Communication graduate student Caroline Conkle presented her research at the TCU Research and Creative Activities Poster Symposium on Nov. 5.

Her poster, Public Relations Accreditation: Perceived Impact on Teaching and Research, explores how doctoral degree-holding public relations professionals and educators view the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential—specifically how earning the accreditation influences their teaching, credibility, and professional confidence.

Working alongside Assistant Professor Sarah Maben, Ph.D. and Kay Colley, Ph.D, professor and chair of the mass communication department at Texas Wesleyan University, Conkle found that many APR-accredited professionals believe the credential enhances their credibility in both academic and professional settings and positively influences how they teach public relations.