Gain the skills you need to persuade.
Why a Certificate in Public Relations at Clark University?
- Learn actionable creative and strategic skills, tools, and methodologies needed to lead all aspects of strategic communications in today’s global marketplace.
- Courses can be applied towards a master’s degree in communication, counting as a concentration in that degree.
- Amp up your skills at a globally ranked and accredited university that has set itself apart as a leader in skills-based education.
- Work in a highly collaborative learning environment with talented peers and scholar-practitioner faculty who share with you their deep leadership experience.
- Pursue the public relations certification on your own terms with online or hybrid courses that fit your work and your life.
Our certificate in public relations consists of three graduate level courses offered both online and in hybrid format. With a focus on storytelling, branding, and managing internal and external stakeholders, whether it is a new innovation or managing a crisis, this coursework will equip students with the necessary skills and tools to make a positive impact in their workplace.
With start dates in January, June, or September, we offer the flexibility you need.
- 3 online courses
Note: This is a graduate certificate program. A bachelor’s degree is required to enroll in the program.
- Public Relations in Digital Age
- Brand Journalism
- Communication Practicum
- Crisis Communication
- Art of Managing Stakeholder Expectations
A public relations specialist is an image shaper whose job is to generate positive publicity and enhance reputations. The field of public relations is evolving at an unprecedented pace and there are growing opportunities for experienced professionals to lead and successfully navigate their organizations through these changes.
Public relations practitioners are in high demand because the profession has grown into managing diverse groups of stakeholders in every industry. Public relations specialists may handle consumer relations, or the relationship between parts of the company such as managers and employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills will I learn?
You will learn communication strategies to build mutually beneficial relationships between your organization and the public. Convince an audience both inside and outside your usual sphere of influence and create a narrative to advance your agenda. Clark’s Certificate in Public Relations prepares graduate students with the actionable skills and strategies needed to lead all aspects of strategic communications in today’s global marketplace.
Certificate holders will learn to:
- Develop skills in crafting, planning, budgeting, and executing a strategic public relations campaign to achieve specific goals and objectives.
- Articulate the intersection of public relations, media relations, crisis communication, and strategic communications.
- Explore public relations through a critical perspective to demonstrate the contribution of public relations practitioners in contemporary society.
- Utilize tools and techniques in managing stakeholder expectations.
- Apply persuasion techniques to reach various audiences.
- Demonstrate the ethical and legal aspect of the practice of public relations.
- Master the art of storytelling — a unique public relations technique.
Public relations has evolved into the persuasion business
A good public relations practitioner is a great storyteller who can analyze, find the positive messages, and translate them into positive stories. When the news is bad, they formulate the best response and mitigate the damage. They draw upon creative and strategic communication skills, tools, and methodologies to know their audiences and tailor messages accordingly.
“This concentration can clearly put you ahead of the competition if you wish to get a job in public relations or communications.
—Jon Leiberman
Adjunct Professor, School of Professional Studies
Academic Excellence. Global Reach. Career Success.
Join our supportive community of scholars. Ready to take the next step?