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Public Relations Certificate

This program has been discontinued. No new students will be admitted.

Program overview

Public relations is vital to virtually every business endeavor. Almost every organization employs individuals, either in-house or through public relations agencies, who can prepare press releases, brochures, newsletters, annual reports, point-of-purchase promotions, and other persuasive, informative materials in a variety of media formats. This program is offered online only.

Curriculum

The public relations area of study covers two key areas: graphic communication and professional writing. A set of core courses provides an introduction to public relations and teaches widely used principles and techniques of advertising, project management, and persuasion.

The graphic communication certificate (designed for non-artists) focuses on the components of the advertising process, the use of effective design principles in the preparation of layouts, and the combination of creative and technical skills to achieve design success.

The professional writing certificate provides specialized instruction in writing marketing materials, inbound and outbound publications, corporate-level communications, speeches, and scripts.

The certificates are for individuals who wish to enter the field of public relations or take on similar responsibilities, those who have been working in a particular aspect of public relations and wish to upgrade or broaden their skills, or those who have been performing public relations tasks for which they have had little formal preparation.

The prerequisite for the core courses is demonstration (by examination, portfolio, or transcript) of a command of standard written English.

The certificates may be completed in four quarters of part-time study. Students may earn one or both certificates. Students may also take individual courses. 

Certificate in public relations-graphic communication (quarters)

Course Qtr. Cr. Hrs.
  Core Courses:  
3088-350     Introduction to Public Relations 2
3088-356     Strategic Communications 2
3081-264     Advertising Evaluation and Techniques 4
3088-348     Managing the Project 2
3088-355     Coordinating Publication Production 2
  Electives*–Choose three of the following courses: 9
3088-371     Designing with Computers I  
3088-372     Designing with Computers II  
3088-373     Electronic Presentation Design  
3088-381     Photographic Imaging with Computers I  
3088-382     Photographic Imaging with Computers II  
3088-383     Introduction to Internet Design  
3088-374     Designing with Corel  
3088-384     Designing with QuarkXPress  
Total Quarter Credit Hours 21

* With adviser’s approval

 

Certificate in public relations-professional writing (quarters)

Course Qtr. Cr. Hrs.
  Core Courses:  
3088-350     Introduction to Public Relations 2
3088-356     Strategic Communications 2
3081-264     Advertising Evaluation and Techniques 4
3088-348     Managing the Project 2
3088-352     Writing for the Organization 2
3088-357     Media Relations 2
3088-347     Promotional Writing 2
3088-353     Scripting and Audio Video Presentations 2
3088-354     Speechwriting 2
Total Quarter Credit Hours 20