Mary Olsen Earns APR Certification

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Georgia Chapter, Public Relations Society of America

Sep 10, 2014, 08:00 ET

ATLANTA, Sept. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mary Olsen has earned her Accredited in Public Relations (APR) certification from the Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (www.prsageorgia.org).

Mary Olsen, APR, PRSA Georgia Chapter (PRNewsFoto/Georgia Chapter, Public Relation)

Olsen is the Communications Specialist at A.G. Rhodes Health & Rehab, a nonprofit that operates three nursing homes in the Atlanta area. Prior to joining A.G. Rhodes, Mary worked as a Public Affairs Specialist for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in its Southeast Regional office in Atlanta, as well as its headquarters office in Washington, D.C. Mary started her communications career 10 years ago as a Public Affairs Officer in the U.S. Air Force, and she is a graduate from the Defense Information School. During her time in the military, Mary served at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, a POW/MIA office in Washington, D.C., and as a Social Aide in the White House.

"I pursued Accreditation because I wanted to be a more effective and knowledgeable communications professional," said Olsen. "The APR is ultimately a commitment to continued education and professional development, which are going to be invaluable throughout my career."

Olsen has a Master's degree in Communication from The Johns Hopkins University, and a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations from the University of Georgia.

Now in its 50^th year, Accredited in Public Relations (APR) is the voluntary certification program for public relations professionals established to unify and advance the profession by identifying those who have demonstrated mastery of a body of knowledge as well as recognition of experience and professional judgment in the public relations field. The international certification process is governed by the Universal Accreditation Board, of which PRSA is a lead participant.

To employers and clients, the APR designation, which is used after the member's name, signals the benchmark of excellence for the practice of public relations and the candidate's dedication to ethics and professionalism.

Preparation for the exam requires six to 12 months of rigorous study spanning 60 topics requiring noted expertise in 10 categories. PRSA Georgia offers a comprehensive study system, designed to prepare the candidate for the 90-minute oral readiness review presentation covering 16 of the knowledge, skills and ability topics and the three-hour computer-based exam, which tests the other 44 skill areas. As a result of this program and the Chapter's promotion efforts, the Chapter has risen to the Top 10 ranks in the country for preparing public relations practitioners with this distinction.

PRSA's Georgia Chapter (www.prsageorgia.org), the second-largest local chapter in the national society, consists of some 850 professionals throughout Georgia. Its mission is to enhance the profession, provide continuing education and offer networking opportunities for its members.

The Chapter has monthly meetings as well as eight Special Interest Groups (Corporate & Employee Communications, Healthcare, Independent Counselors, Leader Board, Nonprofit, Technology, Travel & Tourism, and Young Professionals) that meet at various times.

The Chapter supports 10 PRSSA (student society) groups at the following colleges: Berry College (Rome), Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta), Columbus State University (Columbus), Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville), Georgia State University (Atlanta), Georgia Southern University (Statesboro), Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw), Savannah State University (Savannah), University of Georgia (Athens) and University of West Georgia (Carrollton).