Public Relations and Communications
Shape Stories. Engage Audiences. Be Influential.
Do you want a creative and engaging career? Whether you want to work in the spotlight or behind the scenes, PR and communications could be the right field for you. Explore the Certificate and Public Relations and Advanced Certificate in Public Relations and Communications Management.
Public Relations focuses on building and maintaining a positive image and strong relationships between an organization and its stakeholders, including customers, employees, and the public. It involves strategic communication, media relations, and reputation management to influence perceptions and foster trust. Effective PR uses storytelling, crisis management, and consistent messaging to align public opinion with organizational goals.
Build Your Expertise to Stand Out
If you want to break into this field or advance your career to a higher level, building up your expertise will give you the edge you need. With these programs you’ll gain top skills and knowledge in a variety or core areas, learn the latest industry insights, and build your confidence to take on any role.
Open Doors to PR, Communications and Marketing Career Opportunities
The field of PR and communications presents many career opportunities in a variety of industries. You can pursue careers like:
- Communications and Marketing Manager
- Director of Marketing and Communications
- Advertising Specialist
- Communications Officer
- Writer
- Digital Communications Specialist
- Marketing Strategist
- Media Relations Officer
- Public Affairs Officer
What You’ll Learn
You'll gain a wealth of knowledge and skills in a variety of areas like:
- Writing and editing
- Media relations
- Social responsibility and ethics
- Strategic planning
- Communications tools and techniques
- Marketing
- Consumer behaviour and more
Certificate Completion Requirements
Complete the Certificate in Public Relations in five courses and complete the Advanced Certificate in Public Relations and Communications Management with an additional five courses for a total of 10 courses.
Certificate in Public Relations
In this 5-course part-time online program, students hone their public relations skills and expand their knowledge base in public relations and communications. The certificate can be completed online.
Advanced Certificate in Public Relations and Communications Management
This 10-course program builds on the certificate in Public Relations that can also be taken on its own. It is primarily online, but there may be some options for in-person elective courses. Students can also specialize in an area such as non-profits, sport and events, and fine arts. This program can be taken part-time or full-time, depending on your course selection.
Double Up Your Credentials
If you’re taking a degree you can use your electives to complete these certificates at the same time.
Quick Facts
Connect with us
Why Study Public Relations at the University of Regina?
Our public relations programs are unique in their brevity and online accessibility. Many other public relations credentials are either degree programs or post-graduate programs.
For students new to Saskatchewan or to Canada, it’s a great way to meet people in the sector and get a sense of the community’s values. For students already here, it’s an opportunity to widen social and professional networks that may be useful in the future.
Many roles specifically ask for communications skills as part of the job requirements. Set yourself apart and prove you’ve developed these in-demand skills.
Professional relationships and networking
We work closely with the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) to provide students with networking and other opportunities such as job postings, industry events, and ways to work directly with the associations. As a student, you can be an association member, participate in events, or be on the board.
Expert instructors
Our instructors are chosen not only for their academic qualifications but also because they have spent many years working in these professions in the community. This provides a bridge for students between theoretical/academic considerations and practical applications with real-world experiences and examples. Many of the certificate programs instructors are working journalists and communications experts, so you’ll learn from real-world practitioners
Flexibility
These certificates are offered online and part-time so students can study while working full-time and managing of other responsibilities.
These are full-credit undergraduate-level courses that can be used toward other undergraduate programs.
Our professors worked in journalism, communications and the media so they have very applicable knowledge about how the media works and what kind of story will sell.
Public Relations Frequently Asked Questions
The Certificate in Public Relations is a part-time study program with five courses in total. It is 100 per cent online.
The Advanced Certificate is an extension of the Certificate in Public Relations. It is a full-time or part-time program with 10 courses in total. It is primarily online, but there may be some options for in-person courses for the electives.
Both certificates are offered with advisory input from IABC Regina and CPRS Regina.
PR 100 Foundations of Public Relations
This survey course will introduce students to the theoretical and practical foundations of public relations and communications. Students will examine key theories, models and ethical principles that underpin the profession; the nature and composition of public relations as a career; and the major steps in the strategic public relations process.
PR 101 Writing and Editing for Public Relations
This course will introduce students to the conventions and formats of writing for public relations, as distinguished from other forms of business writing. Students will develop an awareness of audience, objectives and key messages when planning their writing before moving on to practice with several common public relations formats.
PR 203 Media Relations
Students will learn how to navigate all contemporary forms of media and the complexities around traditional, social and online media. This course also provides a comprehensive analysis of the media and the development of skills to accommodate the needs of different media and stakeholders.
PR 205 Social Responsibility and Ethics
This course will provide an understanding of current ethical questions and professional codes of ethics when performing public relations tasks for media, the public, and other constituencies. Case studies and current literature will be used to explore applications of ethical practice in crisis situations. Issues related to corporate social responsibility will be emphasized, including the PR professional's role in managing and reflecting an organization's corporate culture.
Yes! Use your public relations certificate courses to meet your degree program elective requirements and earn the certificate as a concurrent program.
Earn a Public Relations certificate along with your Business Administration, Fine Arts, Arts or other degree program to build your resume. If you choose to take a PR certificate at the same time as a degree, you will need to complete an Application for Undergraduate Concurrent Program form to officially work towards the certificate and your degree program at the same time. There are no additional application fees.
Talk to your academic advisor early in your program to ensure you are meeting your degree requirements and to assist you with the application.
Yes! We offer the following scholarships for our certificate students:
- Centre for Continuing Education Certificate Awards
Use our online Student Awards Management System (SAMS) to find other awards and scholarships for which you may be eligible. There are also scholarships through our professional associations.
What Can You Do With a Public Relations Certificate?
You’ll find many public relations, communications and marketing career opportunities in a wide variety of industries such as government, crown corporations, healthcare, finance, tech, non-profits, and media and creative agencies. You can also become your own boss by freelancing or starting your own business. The skills and knowledge gained through these certificates are beneficial to other types of careers as well.
Pursue a variety of careers like:
- Communications or Marketing Manager
- Director of Marketing and Communications
- Communications Consultant
- Communications Officer
- Digital Communications Specialist
- Media Relations Officer
- Public Affairs Officer
Required Courses
Public Relations Certificate
Required Courses
| credit hours | required courses |
|---|---|
| 3.0 | PR 100 Foundations of Public Relations |
| 3.0 | PR 101 Writing and Editing for Public Relations |
| 3.0 | PR 200 Strategic Communication Planning Prereq: PR 100 |
| 3.0 | PR 201 Communication Tools and Techniques |
| 3.0 | Choose 1 elective from the list below: PR 202 Research and Evaluation PR 203 Media Relations PR 204 Organizational Communications in PR PR 205 Social Responsibility and Ethnics PR 290 AA-ZZ Public Relations Trends and Special Topics |
Advanced Public Relations and Communications Management Certificate
Required Courses
| credit hours | required courses |
|---|---|
| 3.0 | PR 100 Foundations of Public Relations |
| 3.0 | PR 101 Writing and Editing for Public Relations |
| 3.0 | PR 200 Strategic Communication Planning Prereq: PR 100 |
| 3.0 | PR 201 Communication Tools and Techniques |
| 9.0 | Choose 3 electives from the list below: PR 202 Research and Evaluation PR 203 Media Relations PR 204 Organizational Communications in PR PR 205 Social Responsibility and Ethnics PR 290 AA-ZZ Public Relations Trends and Special Topics |
| 9.0 | Any three courses on topics related to marketing, commmunications, research, consumer behaviour, popular culture, ethics, media, etc. |
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