Post job

Community relations representative education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a community relations representative. Community relations representatives usually study business, communication, or marketing. 70% of community relations representatives hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 624 real community relations representative resumes to see exactly what community relations representative education sections show.

The most common colleges for community relations representatives are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online community relations representative courses to help get the education required to be a community relations representative.

There are certain community relations representative certifications that you should consider. These community relations representative certifications include Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

What education do you need to become a community relations representative?

What degree do you need to be a community relations representative?

The most common degree for community relations representatives is bachelor's degree, with 70% of community relations representatives earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 13% and master's degree degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 70%
  • Master's, 13%
  • Associate, 11%
  • High School Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a community relations representative?

You should major in business to become a community relations representative. 17% of community relations representatives major in business. Other common majors for a community relations representative include communication and marketing.

Most common colleges for community relations representatives

Community relations representatives often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of South Florida, and University of South Carolina - Columbia. Here are the most common colleges for community relations representatives in the US based on their resumes.
Community relations representative common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix7.59%
University of South Florida6.33%
University of South Carolina - Columbia6.33%
New York University6.33%
University of Houston5.06%

Best majors for community relations representatives

RankMajorPercentages
1Business17.3%
2Communication11.7%
3Marketing10.2%
4Psychology9.9%
5Public Relations6.2%

Best colleges for community relations representatives

The best colleges for community relations representatives are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.

A community relations representative with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for community relations representatives. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become community relations representatives.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

6. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

7. University of Houston

Houston, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$8,913

Enrollment

37,291

8. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

9. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

10. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,853

Enrollment

14,759

20 best online courses for community relations representatives

Advertising disclosure

1. Data Streaming

udacity

Learn how to process data in real-time by building fluency in modern data engineering tools, such as Apache Spark, Kafka, Spark Streaming, and Kafka Streaming. ...

2. Foundational Skills for Communicating About Health

coursera

Effective communication is a core skill that nearly every health professional will need and use during their careers. Yet, few health professionals receive even basic training in how to design communications to be clear and successful. As “foundational skills,” the content in this course can be applied to both oral and written communication, within and beyond health. Learners will develop the skills to: analyze and tailor a communication effort for different audiences, develop clear messages,...

3. Breastfeeding: Public Health Perspectives

coursera

Engaging in this course will provide you with the opportunity to think about breastfeeding and its public health implications. The Socio-Ecological Model will be the framework of the course as we think about how each level of the Model (individual, interpersonal, community, organizational, and public policy) impacts breastfeeding practices in the United States, and globally. Through short video lectures you will be introduced to relevant topics related to the public health perspectives of...

4. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate

udemy
4.6
(1,115)

Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...

5. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications

udemy
4.6
(2,248)

Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...

6. Social Determinants of Health

coursera

This is an introductory course on social determinants of population health with a focus on the United States. The course will introduce you to, or reinforce your knowledge of, issues related to health that consider behavioral, psychological and structural factors in population health beyond the healthcare system. We will examine social, economic, and political factors that contribute to health inequalities and suggest innovative ways to reduce disparities in health when the goal is to achieve...

7. Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice

coursera

Epidemiology is often described as the cornerstone science in public health. Epidemiology in public health practice uses study design and analyses to identify causes in an outbreak situation, guides interventions to improve population health, and evaluates programs and policies. In this course, we'll define the role of the professional epidemiologist as it relates to public health services, functions, and competencies. With that foundation in mind, we'll introduce you to the problem solving...

8. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)

udemy
4.7
(311)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...

9. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs

udemy
4.7
(1,529)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...

10. Leadership for Public Health Crises

coursera

Leadership for Public Health Crises will enable current and prospective managers, directors, unit heads, and elected officials to effectively lead their organizational response to profound health-related emergencies and to build leadership capacity across multiple sectors, agencies, organizations, and divisions. This series of courses prepares graduate students (in, e.g., public administration, public health, social work, business, homeland security, education, and related fields) and...

11. Systems Thinking In Public Health

coursera

This course provides an introduction to systems thinking and systems models in public health. Problems in public health and health policy tend to be complex with many actors, institutions and risk factors involved. If an outcome depends on many interacting and adaptive parts and actors the outcome cannot be analyzed or predicted with traditional statistical methods. Systems thinking is a core skill in public health and helps health policymakers build programs and policies that are aware of and...

12. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Health & Wellness

udemy
4.7
(594)

Learn about holistic health, wellness, key biomarkers, good sleep and ways to optimize your health...

13. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide

udemy
4.5
(961)

Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...

14. The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health

coursera

The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health provides an engaging overview of the incredible accomplishments and promise of the public health field. The first module includes interviews with legendary public health figures whose work led to millions of lives saved with vaccines, air bags and car seats, and the federal Women Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. The second module brings key public health tools to life -- including use of data, communications, and policy - through...

15. The Influence of Social Context on Health

coursera

Why are some groups healthier than others, and how do these differences emerge and persist over the life course? How do social policies (e.g., housing, transportation, employment) relate to health and health inequalities? Why are there health disparities even in countries that have free universal health care? This course will address conceptual models for understanding health disparities in the US and internationally, how population science identifies the main sources of these disparities, and...

16. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course

udemy
4.7
(982)

Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...

17. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide

udemy
4.6
(1,641)

How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...

18. Health Systems Development: Introduction to Health Systems

coursera

This specialization is intended for people interested in health systems and how they function. Participants will learn about the global health systems landscape and the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes. This specialisation is divided into three courses which are offered as massive online open access courses (Courses 1-3), and a fourth course which is offered as part of the Online MPH degree (capstone). The Health Systems Development specialisation is geared toward...

19. Managing mental health issues in the workplace

udemy
4.1
(891)

Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...

20. Mental Health First Aid Skills -

udemy
4.4
(1,774)

This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...

Top 10 most affordable universities for community relations representatives

The most affordable schools for community relations representatives are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for community relations representatives are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for community relations representatives.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

7. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

8. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

10. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for community relations representatives

The hardest universities for community relations representatives to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for community relations representatives are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for community relations representatives based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

10. Tulane University

New Orleans, LA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,428

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for community relations representatives

The easiest schools for community relations representatives to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a community relations representative without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for community relations representatives.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

6. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

7. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

8. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

9. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

10. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

Average community relations representative salary by education level

According to our data, community relations representatives with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $45,539 annually. Community relations representatives with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $42,805.
Community relations representative education levelCommunity relations representative salary
Master's Degree$45,539
Bachelor's Degree$42,805

Community relations representative education FAQs

Search for community relations representative jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs