PUBLIC RELATIONS
Program Overview
The Continuing Education Center Public Relations Certificate Program is designed for communications-related professionals who want to enhance their PR skills.
Topics include the varieties of public relations writing, ethics, and legal responsibilities, PR strategies and tactics, crisis management, as well as global, nonprofit, and advocacy PR.
Students should have some writing experience before enrolling in the program. Writing assignments will include press releases, speeches, reports, and PR campaign proposals.
Learning Objectives
The objective of the Public Relations program also includes research skill development, how to write clearly and simply, and using proper grammar. General topics include the art of persuasion and public relations planning.
Your studies will cover:
- Writing styles in emails, memos, letters, reports, proposals, news releases, broadcasts, ad copy, material for the Internet, speeches, newsletters, brochures, magazines, and annual reports
- Crisis communications, conflict management, public opinion, corporate public relations
- Public relations and the government and non-profit organizations
…and much more.
Program Outline
Your Certificate program consists of courses designed to take you step-by-step toward understanding Public Relations.
Here's how it works
Your first course will be sent to you as soon as your enrollment has been accepted. Other courses will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have the study materials and software needed for your coursework.
System requirements
You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer to complete this program. The Continuing Education Center recommends the following as minimum specifications: Pentium® II or better processor, using Microsoft® Windows® XP or later, capable of running Microsoft® Office 2007. You will also need Internet access.
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COM 110: Public Relations 1: Writing
Public Relations 1 begins by introducing students to the role of public relations writers, including their ethical and legal responsibilities. Some of the general topics covered include persuasion, research skills, the public relations planning process, writing clearly and simply, and using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Specifically, the course covers writing styles and processes for emails, memos, letters, reports, proposals, news releases, broadcasts, ad copy, material for the Internet, speeches, newsletters, brochures, magazines, and annual reports. The course concludes with an examination of how to communicate information during a crisis.
Textbook: Public Relations Writing: Form and Style
COM 115: Public Relations 2: Strategies and Tactics
Public Relations 2 begins with an overview of public relations, including such topics as ethics, professionalism, public relations departments and firms, research techniques, planning and evaluating a public relations program, and the communication process. The course also includes the preparation and handling of news releases, media alerts, and pitch letters. Finally, the course covers topics that affect a public relations employee: conflict management, public opinion, new technologies in public relations, corporate public relations, public relations and the government, global public relations, and public relations for nonprofit organizations.
Textbook: Public Relations: Strategies and Tactics
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Online Library and Librarian
Students in the Continuing Education Center have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and to assist students in research activities during their studies with the Continuing Education Center.
A High School Diploma or GED is required to enroll in this program.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
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