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

NumberCourseOnlineCredits
CC 652Emerging Communication TechnologyAvailable Online in Fall Semester Only4
CC 645Public Opinion Research and PracticeNot Available Online4
CC 608Public AffairsNot Available Online4
CC 692Capstone CourseNot Available Online4
CC 648Public RelationsAvailable Online in Spring Semester Only4
CC 647Organizational CommunicationNot Available Online4
CC 609Political CommunicationNot Available Online4
CC 623Public DiplomacyAvailable Online Semester TBD4
CC 630Sports CommunicationNot Available Online4
CC 631Sports ManagementNot Available Online4
CC 604Strategic Planning and the Managerial ProcessNot Available Online4
CC 621Speech Writing and Online Content DevelopmentNot Available Online4
CC 624Campaign ManagementAvailable Online in Fall Semester Only4
CC 626Crisis CommunicationNot Available Online4
CC 628Entrepreneurship and Creative Problem SolvingNot Available Online4
CC 636Negotiation and Group ProcessNot Available Online4
CC 640User Experience DesignAvailable Online in Summer Semester Only4
CC 643Global CommunicationNot Available Online4
CC 651Persuasion and PropagandaNot Available Online4
CC 655Project Management and CommunicationNot Available Online4
CC 695Seminar Topics in Communication ManagementNot Available Online4

*Class offerings are subject to change by semester.

Learn more about the program, including application instructions, on the Public Relations certificate page.