Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Relations

Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Relations

Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Relations

Communicate effectively. Connect powerfully.

Next Enrolment

May 9th, September 5th

Tuition

$6,599 (Domestic)

$15,199 (International)

Overview

Gain the public relations expertise you need to broadcast your brand message to the right audience, at the right time, using traditional and digital media.

What you will learn

In the part-time Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Relations, you’ll sharpen your understanding of public relations fundamentals and strategy, marketing principles, digital storytelling, and many more vital areas so you can effectively connect with your audience. This program will allow you to:

  • Plan, initiate and complete a communications plan
  • Develop strategic thinking and a digitally-focused approach to succeed in today’s marketplace
  • Create content across different channels (print, video, digital, visual, etc.) to engage targeted audiences
  • Handle and respond to incidents, issues and crises that can negatively impact an organization
  • Make data-driven decisions using analytics and measurement
  • Apply ethics and industry codes of professional standards to public relations

Program Benefits

  • Curriculum developed in collaboration with, and taught by, public relations leaders
  • Develop your skills through experiential assignments and projects
  • Graduate with a portfolio of work
  • Advance through the program with the same peer cohort and build your professional network

Format: Full-time
Delivery: In-class
Term Starts: Fall and Winter
Program Length: 8 months

Career Potential

Optional Work Placement

After your courses are complete, apply what you’ve learned with an optional 8-week work placement at a local organization!

Statistics Canada has released a series of studies reporting that gaining work experience during student years is linked to securing full-time employment immediately after graduation. “Specifically, among those who had a job related to their field of study during their postsecondary education, 75% were employed full time three months after graduation. This compared with 48% among those who did not have any work experience during their postsecondary education, and 61% among those who did work, but not in their field of study.”

"This program uniquely provides students with theoretical foundations for success in communications, reputation and corporate affairs, combined with practical knowledge, real-world insights and best practices. Graduates will have the right blend of skills required to excel as a public relations professional in an evolving industry."

John Crean – Managing Director, Teneo Holdings (Advisory Council Member)

Get Hired for Jobs Like…
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • PR Agency Account Coordinator
  • Communications Manager
Gain Cross-Functional Skills for…
  • Written Communication
  • Analytical and Critical Thinking
  • Ethics and Decision Making

Who should take this program?

The Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Relations is ideal for:
  • Recent degree graduates and international students who want a comprehensive foundation in public relations
  • Professionals with experience in business, marketing, communications, journalism, and political science

Admission into the full-time Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Relations program is highly competitive. Please note that meeting the minimum entry requirement does not guarantee admission.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Relations, applicants must have:

  • Minimum of a baccalaureate degree with a minimum of a 60% average (C) or a 3-year Canadian College Diplomas with minimum ‘B’ or 70% average
  • Official transcripts (International students: please provide original English translated copy of University degree and transcripts.)
  • Online application form
  • Statement of Interest video
  • Resume
  • Proof of language proficiency (international students only)

Review the minimum language scores for this program.

Applicants will be notified directly if additional information or documentation is required.

Delivery Format

Full Time – On Campus

  • Courses are conducted in-person at York University main campus and are typically scheduled four days per week, 3 hours per day
  • In addition to the live instruction, students should budget approximately 8-10 hours per course each week for readings, discussions boards, practice opportunities, assignments

Courses

CSPR1010 Fundamentals of Public Relations

Develop a foundational understanding of how communication strategies, tactics and writing apply to public relations management. A real-world approach will be used to showcase the depth and breadth of the profession across a variety of sectors including: corporate, non-profit, agency and government.

13 Classes

39 Hours

CSPR1020 Content Creation, Strategic Messaging and Storytelling

Public Relations storytelling goes beyond pretty words and pictures, clearly communicating a strong message. Develop strategic key messages as the foundation for creating engaging content for an array of public relations channels including print, online, broadcast, video and social media. Apply real-world public relations content development techniques to sharpen your written, verbal, visual and digital communication skills.

13 Classes

39 Hours

CSPR1040 Internal Communications and Change Management

Be introduced to key internal communications concepts, channels, theories, best practices, trends and skills to be an effective public relations practitioner. Gain insight into the role internal communicators play in supporting the organization's goals and develop skills to engage with internal audiences.

13 Classes

39 Hours

CSPR1060 Stakeholder Relations and Community Engagement

Gain an understanding of the key relationship-building tactics needed to be an effective public relations practitioner. Learn how to effectively perform as a spokesperson for an organization (the art of media relations), leveraging concepts of corporate social responsibility, marketing, stakeholder relations, government relations and more. The primary objective of this course is to understand the role that a public relations professional must play when supporting their organization and how their role influences their organization's credibility in the eyes of the public.

13 Classes

39 Hours

CSPR1050 Strategic Planning, Research & Measurement

Description coming soon

13 Classes

39 Hours

CSPR1030 Integrated Marketing Strategies

Integrated marketing combines public relations, advertising, sales promotion, direct marketing, and social media to sustain a consistent message with a given target audience. Analyze how integrated marketing strategies are developed and used to plan, execute, and measure across various traditional, digital and social media channels.

13 Classes

39 Hours

CSPR1070 Reputation Management and Crisis Communication

Learn the steps necessary to address and overcome crisis communication and reputation management issues. Identify issues that may pose a threat to an organization's reputation (both proactively and reactively), assess the best communications options for drafting a crisis response, select tools for monitoring a business issue in real-time and examine the importance of social media and owned content channels during a time of crisis.

13 Classes

39 Hours

CSPR1080 Public Relations in Practice: Real World Perspectives and Possibilities

Apply the fundamental skills learned in the previous courses to current, relevant and challenging scenarios. Develop and execute public relations campaign strategies from the vantage point of agency or client in a fast paced, real-world learning environment. Gain first-hand knowledge and experience into the career opportunities that await you upon graduation.

13 Classes

39 Hours

Instructors

Heath Applebaum Public Relations Instructor

Heath Applebaum

Erick Bauer Public Relations Instructor

Erick Bauer

Christine Bernard Public Relations Instructor

Christine Bernard

Joannep Cordell profile picture

Joanne Cordell

Lyndon Johnson Public Relations Instructor

Lyndon Johnson

Melyssa_Lipseey_Instructor_Public_Relations

Melyssa Lipsey

Doris Montanera Public Relations Instructor

Doris Montanera

Jennifer-Pandelidis_Instructor_Public_Relations

Jennifer Pandelidis

Advisory Council

Shari Balga Public Relations Advisory Council

Shari Balga

Instructor or Advisory Council Placeholder Image

Priya Bates

Instructor or Advisory Council Placeholder Image

Amy Cairncross

John Crean Public Relations Advisory Council

John Crean

Instructor or Advisory Council Placeholder Image

Nikki Laoutaris

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Anne MacLennan

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Rhonda McMichael

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Joanne Rider

Instructor or Advisory Council Placeholder Image

Candice So

Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Relations

Summer 2024

On Campus Classes

Course Details +

$6,599.00 (Domestic)

Summer 2024

On Campus Classes

Course Details +

$15,199.00 (International)

Fall 2024

On Campus Classes

Course Details +

$6,599.00 (Domestic)

Fall 2024

On Campus Classes

Course Details +

$15,199.00 (International)

Policies & More Information

Technology Requirements for Remote/Online Courses

Please review the technology and software requirements you will need to access our courses remotely.

Contact Us

Ask us anything about this program and we’ll get back to you within 2 business days.