Emerson College’s graduate certificate in Public Relations provides a valuable foundation in communication technology and research methods. Students also have the opportunity to take courses focused on political, strategic, and sports communication.
About the Public Relations Certificate Program
Housed in the Department of Communication Studies in the School of Communication, this hybrid certificate program comprises 16 total credit hours and can be completed in as little as two semesters.
Curriculum
Required Course (4 credits)
CC 648 Public Relations
Available Online in the Spring Semester Only
Addresses in-depth the development of stakeholder relations and communication in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Topics covered include corporate relations, reputation management, grassroots organizing, public policy and the media, political communication, social advocacy campaigns, and public diplomacy. Case studies of communication campaigns at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels are used. Students produce and present at least one communication campaign to affect behavior in diverse stakeholder groups.
Three Additional Courses (12 credits)
Elective Course Listing
| Number | Course | Online | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC 652 | Emerging Communication Technology | Available Online in Fall Semester Only | 4 |
| CC 645 | Public Opinion Research and Practice | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 608 | Public Affairs | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 692 | Capstone Course | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 648 | Public Relations | Available Online in Spring Semester Only | 4 |
| CC 647 | Organizational Communication | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 609 | Political Communication | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 623 | Public Diplomacy | Available Online Semester TBD | 4 |
| CC 630 | Sports Communication | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 631 | Sports Management | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 604 | Strategic Planning and the Managerial Process | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 621 | Speech Writing and Online Content Development | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 624 | Campaign Management | Available Online in Fall Semester Only | 4 |
| CC 626 | Crisis Communication | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 628 | Entrepreneurship and Creative Problem Solving | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 636 | Negotiation and Group Process | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 640 | User Experience Design | Available Online in Summer Semester Only | 4 |
| CC 643 | Global Communication | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 651 | Persuasion and Propaganda | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 655 | Project Management and Communication | Not Available Online | 4 |
| CC 695 | Seminar Topics in Communication Management | Not Available Online | 4 |
*Class offerings are subject to change by semester.
Learn more about the program, including application instructions, on the Public Relations certificate page.