Program Overview

Public Relations Certificate

Business and Management

In the age of social media, public relations staff play a vital role in ensuring their organization builds a positive reputation while engaging customers and growing in influence. To equip students with the necessary skills in this fast-moving field, the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) offers a Public Relations Certificate program. This program provides practical knowledge in various areas including public relations, social media, image management, public speaking, media relations, and writing. The skills acquired through this program qualify graduates for diverse employment opportunities and career advancement across a wide range of disciplines.

Program Details

• Credential: Certificate
• Format: Part-time
• Delivery: Online courses with no scheduled meeting times; practicum in-person at an assigned work site
• Duration: 13 years
• Tuition: Approximately $3,900, with tuition paid per course
• Practicum Required: Yes
• Application Deadline: Students can apply at any time and will be considered for the next available intake.

Entrance Requirements

Entrance requirements can be found in the UFV Academic Calendar.

Program Outline

To complete the Public Relations Certificate, students must complete 12 courses and a practicum. The courses are designed to be taken in any order, allowing students to initiate their studies in Fall, Winter, or Spring. Although the courses have no prerequisites, all courses must be completed prior to qualifying for the practicum. Each course is typically offered once per year and all courses are conducted online without scheduled meeting times.

Courses Offered

Fall (September to December)

• (PR01) Fundamentals of Public Relations | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (PR03) Storytelling that Matters: Public Speaking | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (PR07) Persuasive Messaging | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (PR10) Building a Media Kit | Online | 5 hours of instruction | 1 week

Winter (January to April)

• (PR02) Social Media and Digital Citizenship | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (PR04) Ask and Answer: Skills for Interviews | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (PR05) Writing for the Internet | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (PR06) Impression Management | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (PR12) Marketing 21st Century Style | Online | 5 hours of instruction | 1 week

Spring (May to August)

• (PR08) Visual Communications | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (PR09) Copyright and Legal Issues | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (PR11) Employment Messaging | Online | 5 hours of instruction | 1 week
• (PR13) Practicum | Off-site | Monday to Friday | 2 weeks

Practicum

At the conclusion of the program, students are required to complete a two-week practicum, which provides meaningful work-like experience and exposure to a professional setting. To be eligible for the practicum, students must have successfully completed the required courses within the program. If students reside in the Fraser Valley or Lower Mainland, UFV will assist in arranging a practicum placement. For those outside the region, students are responsible for locating a suitable practicum site and must submit the relevant details for approval.

Graduation

Upon completion of all required courses and meeting the grade requirements, graduates can apply for graduation. There is a graduation application fee, and the Office of the Registrar will notify graduates via email when their certificate is ready for collection.

Withdrawal Deadlines

Students are advised to refer to the School of Continuing Education's policies regarding refunds and withdrawal schedules.

Employment Facts

The public relations field anticipates high job growth, driven by the rise of social media and non-traditional media outlets. Companies are increasingly seeking professionals to help them engage their audiences and maintain a positive public image. Public relations roles are prevalent not only within agencies but also in-house across diverse sectors including non-profits and public organizations.

Sample Occupational Titles

• Public Relations Specialist
• Communications Specialist
• Community Relations Coordinator
• Social Media Manager
• Media Relations Manager
• Brand Ambassador
• Advocacy Officer
• Press Secretary
• Publicist
• Public Relations Coordinator
• Information Officer
• Event Coordinator

Sample Industries

• Human Resources
• Administration
• Business
• Education
• Environment
• Marketing
• Government
• Nonprofit
• Consulting

Textbooks

Students are encouraged to utilize the UFV Bookstore's search tool to locate required textbooks for the courses offered in this program.

Computer Requirements

A computer or laptop (PC or Mac) with reliable internet access and up-to-date software is necessary to participate in the online coursework.

Additional Supplies

Basic school supplies, such as notebooks and pens, will incur additional costs.