Program Description
Public Relations Graduate Certificate
Do you have a passion for writing? A talent for communicating? Public Relation training could be for you. In the technologically and sophisticated global society that we currently live in, the function of establishing and maintaining open and effective communications between corporations, governments, organizations and their publics demands qualified, talented, highly trained public relations practitioners.
Laptop Requirements
Laptop – Preference: PC Platform – Windows operating system
If you already own a PC platform laptop (i.e. Dell) with a Windows operating system, you will not be required to purchase a new laptop, providing you have the required hardware and software components already installed. Read more about the Laptop Requirements for this program
Mohawk's Public Relations program graduates are disciplined, intelligent, and know their business inside out – from planning to program execution; from identifying trends to recognizing their impact; from counselling on social issues to motivating organizational change; from creating strategies to exploiting a wide range of tactics; from writing to orchestrating campaigns and events.
The Public Relations program is a one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate offered at Fennell Campus in Hamilton, Ontario. Students will:
- Learn to formulate PR strategies and execute tactics in Corporate and Not-For Profit Communications
- Explore Media Relations, Electronic Publishing, Crisis Communications and Advertising
- Learn to use technological media in PR planning and execution
- Acquire expertise in PR analysis and planning
- Learning to write professional-level public relations materials
- Develop visually creative materials to meet PR objectives
- Plan and orchestrate an event
- Learn principles of fundraising
- Get an introduction to the Canadian Public Relations Society and the International Association of Business Communicators
Field Placement
Students participate in a work placement consisting of a 105 hours field placement either completed during
the academic year, or in the three weeks immediately following the end
of second term.
Courses - Program of Studies
The Public Relations Graduate Certificate Program of Studies is designed to
give graduates from diverse programs as well as industry professionals
and entrepreneurs, an intensive overview of public relations as
practiced in corporate, non-profit and agency environments, combined
with planning P.R. programs based on the RACE formula. (The R.A.C.E.
formula is universally used in North America by professionals to
research, plan and execute PR programming and includes analysis of
objectives, identification of audiences, recommendations for strategies
and tactics and evaluation techniques.)
At the end of the program, students should have developed a portfolio of materials and projects that demonstrate their ability to function at a professional level.
Program Delivery
The program will be delivered using traditional lecture techniques as
well as assignments; project- based learning exercises, case studies,
guest lecturers from the PR industry and intensive workshops. The
learning environment encourages students to make use of the Internet,
educational chat rooms, and email to enhance individual and group work.
The course will be delivered within a wireless notebook-computing
environment.
Help shape the future through Public Relations
Does that sound like something you would like to do with your life?
Maybe you’d like to acquire or polish your PR skills in order to manage
the new challenges in your current working environment. Maybe you’re an
entrepreneur who’s looking to add to your existing skills mix. Or maybe
you’re a graduate of another discipline. Whichever you are, this program
could well be for you.
The program is intensive and fast paced … but make no mistake, it’s also thorough. Lots of experienced guest speakers, who are experts in their field. Lots of hands-on personal attention. A wireless notebook learning and computing environment and down the road.
Guaranteed career satisfaction
Within the various media industries, public relations ranks as one of
the highest in job fulfillment. If you’re looking for career
satisfaction, enjoy multi-tasking, get excited at finding creative
solutions for today’s problems and want to be a part of one of the
fastest growing professions in the world, then taking this course is a
step toward that future. Not just your future, but also the future of
how we all communicate with each other.
If time is an issue
In class time currently takes three days a week for 28 weeks. This
allows those in full time jobs or entrepreneurs to keep working while
pursuing their PR studies. It also allows other students to do volunteer
PR work and/or have part-time jobs.
If You are a Brock University Communications Student
The Mohawk Public Relations program coordinates with your four-year
communications degree program. Apply at the end of Year One (www.brocku.ca/social-sciences/collaborative-programs). If your application is successful, you will complete the PR Program at Mohawk as part of your degree. Contact Jo Stewart (jo.stewart@brocku.ca) for details.
