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External relations director education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an external relations director. External relations directors usually study business, english, or communication. 69% of external relations directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 515 real external relations director resumes to see exactly what external relations director education sections show.
The most common colleges for external relations directors are the University of California - Davis and the University of California - Davis.
There are also many online external relations director courses to help get the education required to be an external relations director.
What education do you need to become an external relations director?
What degree do you need to be an external relations director?
- Bachelor's, 69%
- Master's, 21%
- Doctorate, 5%
- Associate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become an external relations director?
- Business, 18%
- English, 10%
- Communication, 9%
- Other Majors, 55%
Most common colleges for external relations directors
| External relations director common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of California - Davis | 10.99% |
| George Washington University, The | 8.79% |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 6.59% |
| Harvard University | 6.59% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 6.59% |
Best majors for external relations directors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 17.6% |
| 2 | English | 9.6% |
| 3 | Communication | 9.2% |
| 4 | Political Science | 8.0% |
| 5 | Marketing | 6.9% |
Best colleges for external relations directors
The best colleges for external relations directors are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
An external relations director with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for external relations directors. 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 external relations directors.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME • Private
In-state tuition
$13,478
Enrollment
979
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
10. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
20 best online courses for external relations directors
Advertising disclosure
1. Relational Databases for Beginners
In Relational Databases for Beginners, you will learn invaluable information about how data is stored with the MySQL database. This guided project provides hands-on lessons with an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and relational databases to give you the skills to process data. In this guided project, you will learn how to explore the IDE interface, create a Python program using the IDE, create, populate, backup, and restore a database, how to create and populate a table, and how to use...
2. Relational Database Design
Have you ever wanted to build a database but don't know where to start? This course will provide you a step-by-step guidance. We are going to start from a raw idea to an implementable relational database. Getting on the path, practicing the real-life mini cases, you will be confident and comfortable with Relational Database Design. Let's get started! Relational Database Design can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Data Science (MS-DS) degree offered on...
3. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications
Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...
4. Become an External Auditor - External Audit Process Level 1
External Audit Process : Financial Statement Accounting : Business Valuation Methods : Certified Public Accountant (CPA)...
5. Relational Database Support for Data Warehouses
Relational Database Support for Data Warehouses is the third course in the Data Warehousing for Business Intelligence specialization. In this course, you'll use analytical elements of SQL for answering business intelligence questions. You'll learn features of relational database management systems for managing summary data commonly used in business intelligence reporting. Because of the importance and difficulty of managing implementations of data warehouses, we'll also delve into storage...
6. Introduction to Public Relations and the Media
This specialization is ideal for learners interested in how to practice public relations and branding communication. You will learn how to use different tools to manage your company’s reputation. You will learn about different forms of media, how to work with journalists, and how to plan strategic communication to enhance your company. And you will emerge from this specialization with several portfolio pieces, including a media contact list, press release, pitch, and crisis communication plan...
7. Relational Database Design
Learn how to create an effective relational database design to use in your IT career or even a personal project...
8. Press Coverage, Publicity & Public Relations For Branding
Public relations to reach 100,000+ people with influencer marketing, publicity, and press coverage for personal branding...
9. Introduction to Relational Databases (RDBMS)
Are you ready to dive into the world of data engineering? In this beginner level course, you will gain a solid understanding of how data is stored, processed, and accessed in relational databases (RDBMSes). You will work with different types of databases that are appropriate for various data processing requirements. You will begin this course by being introduced to relational database concepts, as well as several industry standard relational databases, including IBM DB2, MySQL, and PostgreSQL...
10. Introduction to Relational Database and SQL
In this guided project, you will get hands-on experience working with a relational database using MySQL Workbench from Oracle. The basic knowledge you learn will allow you to work with any other relational database. At the end of this project, you will be able to create a billing report and a club member roster...
11. Accessing Relational Databases with Quarkus
Map and query your entities from relational databases using JPA and Panache ORM...
12. Introduction to International Relations
International Relations for beginners: history, theories, states, sovereignty, war, peace, int. organisations, economy...
13. Connecting Rasa Chatbot to External Platforms
In this 1-hour long project-based course, you will learn how to connect Rasa Chatbot to external platforms. We will first look at enable a encrypted connection (HTTPS) using a proxy server from Ngrok. We will then look at how to connect to Facebook Messenger using Facebook Developer Account. We will look at how to create custom buttons like quick replies and Carousel Cards for listing elements. We will then move on to look at how to connect the chatbot to Telegram and how to customize buttons...
14. Build a Database from a Relational Model
In this course you will interpret the components of a relational data model, convert that model into a relational database, and then test the database design. The process of database design begins with requirements analysis to determine who will use the new database and how it will be used. The results of the detailed analysis are recorded in an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD), which documents entities and their attributes, along with the relationships between entities. The ERD (logical...
15. The Ultimate Public Relations Masterclass
Everything you need to know to be successful at PR in a digital world...
16. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide
Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...
17. Building Basic Relational Databases in SQL Server Management Studio
In this one-hour based project you will apply the basics of working with relational databases within the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) environment. You will use the tools in SSMS to diagram an existing database and to create and run some SELECT and CREATE TABLE structured query language commands. You will also acquire the basic terminology that applies to all relational databases. By successfully completing the hands-on practices assigned, you will be better prepared for applying these...
18. Salesforce Integration With External Systems
Learn about Salesforce integration API (SOAP REST Batch Streaming Outbound Messaging Callouts) to connect...
19. CSR Development & Communications: Make a Difference Today!
Introduction to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program Development & Communication...
20. CFD of External Aerodynamics and Turbomachinery
External aerodynamics and turbo-machinery CFD in Ansys Fluent, ICEMCFD, Space Claim & Design Modeler...
Top 10 most affordable universities for external relations directors
The most affordable schools for external relations directors are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for external relations directors 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 external relations directors.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Cost of attendance
22,990
10. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for external relations directors
The hardest universities for external relations directors to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for external relations directors 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 external relations directors 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for external relations directors
The easiest schools for external relations directors to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an external relations director 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 external relations directors.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
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. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
8. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
9. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average external relations director salary by education level
| External relations director education level | External relations director salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $155,218 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $135,298 |
External relations director education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025