LUBBOCK, Texas, January 2001:  For the sixth consecutive year the number of students studying advertising and public relations in the United States increased to an all-time high of 41,804, a 2.7% increase from the previous year.  However, the number of graduates decreased 2%, 12,205 from 12,439.   This was the first decrease in four years.

 The information comes from the 37th annual directory, Where shall I go to study advertising and public relations?  The 2001 edition of the directory includes information from 204 colleges and universities that offer advertising and public relations degrees.  The information in the publication is primarily directed to students and counselors seeking information about the programs.

 The schools listed in the directory offer three different types of programs: advertising, public relations and joint advertising/public relations.  Public relations programs are offered at 145 schools, advertising 107, and advertising/public relations 46.

 Of the three programs, advertising is the only one showing losses in both students and graduates.  The number of degrees fell to 4,945 (-9.3%) and the number of students to 17,185 (-3%).  However the largest number of students of the three program continues to be advertising.

 Public relations programs showed the largest number of degrees 5,006, an increase of .04%, with the number of students 16,959 up 1.7%.

 The largest increase in both students and graduates came from the joint advertising/public relations programs.  The schools reported 2,254 degrees, up 13.8%, and 7,660 students, up 21.1%.

 The University of Florida, Michigan State and the University of Texas continue to dominate most of the categories in advertising.  Florida reports the most degrees (250), Michigan State has the largest student enrollment (922), while the University of Texas has the largest full-time faculty (19).

 The University of Florida conferred the largest number of degrees in public relations (201), as well as the largest number of students (844).

 Among the schools with joint advertising/public relations programs, Boston University leads in the number of degrees (336), and students (941).

 Billy I. Ross, Louisiana State University, and Keith F. Johnson, Texas Tech University, are the co-editors of the directory.  More information and means to contact the editors or the schools listed in the directory can be found at <http://www.mcom.ttu.edu/wsig>

 Support for the research for the directory comes from American Academy of Advertising, American Association of Advertising Agencies, Advertising Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Direct Marketing Association, Promotional Products Association International, Lubbock (TX) Advertising Federation, Louisiana State University and Texas Tech University.