Program Overview

Public Relations Certificate

In a world where so much depends on reputation, qualified public relations professionals are in high demand. In our flexible online program, you can earn your certificate in as little as one year, even if you work full time. You’ll dive into key aspects of PR practices such as content creation, media relations and strategic communication, all approached through an essential lens of cultural awareness and inclusivity. Developed in collaboration with Indigenous advisors and instructors and aligned with Canadian Public Relations Society industry standards, our program will equip you with the skills you need to succeed, whether you’re entering the field or advancing in your PR career.

Overview

• Courses: 9
• Format: Part-time
• Location: Online
• Program completion: 8 months–3 years (from start date of first course) To graduate, successfully complete all 9 courses.

Why this program?

• Develop professional competencies aligned with Canadian Public Relations Society industry standards
• Take fully online courses on a flexible schedule
• Complete the part-time program in as little as one year
• Learn from active and experienced leaders in the public relations field
• Start with individual courses and apply to the program at any time
• Graduate with a certificate that confers SFU alumni status along with its benefits

Program details

Format

• Part-time

Location

• Online

Program completion

• 8 months–3 years (from start date of first course) To graduate, successfully complete all 9 courses.

Course duration

• 5 weeks

Course work

• 10 hours/week

Schedule

• Self-paced within set deadlines

Courses

To earn the certificate, complete all 9 courses in any order.

• Foundations of Public Relations Microcertificate:
  • Introduction to Public Relations (PRP115)
  • Content Creation and Storytelling in PR (PRP120)
  • Cultural, Social and Environmental Responsibility in PR (PRP130)
• External Communication Microcertificate:
  • External Relations and Community Engagement (PRP260)
  • Media Relations (PRP265)
  • Reputation Management (PRP270)
• Strategic Public Relations Microcertificate:
  • Research and Evaluation in PR (PRP280)
  • Strategic Communication (PRP285)
  • Internal Communication and Change Management (PRP290)

Learning materials

• Course materials included

Cost

• $595/course
• $99 program application fee
• $5,454 total program costs

Application info

• No application deadline. Take individual courses and apply to the program at any time.

Application requirements

• Undergraduate degree or five years’ professional experience recommended
• One or more years’ experience in a communication role recommended
• Advanced English Language Requirements

Upcoming courses

• Course Name: Introduction to Public Relations (PRP115)
  • Start Date: Thu, Jan 15, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor: Kylie McMullan
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 21
• Course Name: Strategic Communication (PRP285)
  • Start Date: Thu, Jan 15, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor: Julia White
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 22
• Course Name: Content Creation and Storytelling in PR (PRP120)
  • Start Date: Thu, Feb 12, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor: Elizabeth Bunney
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 20
• Course Name: External Relations and Community Engagement (PRP260)
  • Start Date: Thu, Feb 12, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor: Ben Borne
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 23
• Course Name: Internal Communication and Change Management (PRP290)
  • Start Date: Thu, Feb 19, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor: Heather Young
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 19
• Course Name: Media Relations (PRP265)
  • Start Date: Thu, Mar 5, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor: Fawn Mulcahy
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 20
• Course Name: Cultural, Social and Environmental Responsibility in PR (PRP130)
  • Start Date: Thu, Mar 26, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor: Christina Coolidge-Woods
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 21
• Course Name: Reputation Management (PRP270)
  • Start Date: Thu, Mar 26, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor: Natasha Netschay Davies
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 23
• Course Name: Research and Evaluation in PR (PRP280)
  • Start Date: Thu, Mar 26, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor: Heather Young
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 22
• Course Name: Introduction to Public Relations (PRP115)
  • Start Date: Thu, May 7, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 25
• Course Name: Media Relations (PRP265)
  • Start Date: Thu, May 7, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 23
• Course Name: Strategic Communication (PRP285)
  • Start Date: Thu, May 7, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 23
• Course Name: Content Creation and Storytelling in PR (PRP120)
  • Start Date: Thu, Jun 11, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 24
• Course Name: External Relations and Community Engagement (PRP260)
  • Start Date: Thu, Jun 11, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 21
• Course Name: Internal Communication and Change Management (PRP290)
  • Start Date: Thu, Sep 10, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 25
• Course Name: Introduction to Public Relations (PRP115)
  • Start Date: Thu, Sep 10, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 25
• Course Name: Reputation Management (PRP270)
  • Start Date: Thu, Sep 10, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 24
• Course Name: Research and Evaluation in PR (PRP280)
  • Start Date: Thu, Sep 24, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 24
• Course Name: Cultural, Social and Environmental Responsibility in PR (PRP130)
  • Start Date: Thu, Oct 8, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 25
• Course Name: Media Relations (PRP265)
  • Start Date: Thu, Oct 8, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 25
• Course Name: Content Creation and Storytelling in PR (PRP120)
  • Start Date: Thu, Oct 22, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 25
• Course Name: Strategic Communication (PRP285)
  • Start Date: Thu, Oct 22, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 23
• Course Name: External Relations and Community Engagement (PRP260)
  • Start Date: Thu, Nov 5, 2026
  • Location: Online
  • Instructor:
  • Cost: $595.00
  • Seats Available: 25

Student stories

• Canadian newcomer and former journalist pursues new PR career New Canadian Anastasia Sukhoretskaya is using her international journalism experience to help build her new career in public relations.
• How PR training is helping one community advocate to elevate his work At the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, David Decolongon combines his knowledge of policy and communications to combat antisemitism.