You’ll be introduced to the overarching principles and theories of crisis communication management in Fundamentals of Crisis Communication and learn how to identify potential crises, explore some of the top crisis mitigation strategies, examine facets of artificial intelligence in crisis response, and view how other organizations navigated their challenges.
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Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Certificate
| Cohort and Registration Deadline | Early Bird Registration | Program Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fall: Sept. 30, 2024 - April 6, 2025 | Registration deadline: Sept. 27, 2024 | Save 15%: Register by Sept. 13, 2024, and enroll for $5,584.50 | $1,095 per course, or save 10% by enrolling in the full program for $5,913 |
| Winter: Jan. 13 - June 29, 2025 | Registration deadline: Jan. 10, 2025 | Save 15%: Register by Dec. 22, 2024, and enroll for $5,584.50 | $1,095 per course, or save 10% by enrolling in the full program for $5,913 |
| Spring: April 7 - Sept 28, 2025 | Registration deadline: April 4, 2025 | Save 15%: Register by March 21, 2025, and enroll for $5,584.50 | $1,095 per course, or save 10% by enrolling in the full program for $5,913 |
Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Certificate Overview
Crisis communication requires leaders who can guide decision-makers through volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) situations while protecting the organization’s reputation, brand, credibility, and trust and ensuring its ability to thrive.
The art of being an effective spokesperson is a valuable tool at any level. The Rutgers Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Certificate (CCRM) program offers you a transformative opportunity to navigate uncertainty and unforeseen business challenges with confidence. Our comprehensive online program includes six four-week courses plus two one-hour, one-on-one media training sessions.
The most successful students will have three-plus years of experience with communication, PR, marketing, community relations, human resources, or other professional duties.
Who Will Benefit from the Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Certificate?
- Public relations and public affairs professionals who need to guide their organization during challenging times
- Marketing, human resources, or other specialists who face labor actions, change management, workplace incidents, or other internal challenges
- Marketing leaders navigating reputational issues such as recalls, regulatory scrutiny, or flawed products
- Investor relations practitioners with demands to guide organizations through high-stakes situations that can affect market value, product launches, and more
- School district and higher education leaders in environments of community conflict, potential threats, and wrongdoing accusations
- Public information officers for military, police, fire, and emergency management who need to expand their abilities to impact safety, awareness, and disclosure
- Social media specialists who are often on the front lines of detecting and responding to public-facing reputational threats
- Public relations agency staff and consultants seeking to add skillsets that will grow their business
- Candidates for certifications such as APR and ABC or advanced degrees
- Chief risk and information security officers who assess and mitigate competitive, regulatory, and technological threats
- Forensics and integrity services leaders who investigate facts, manage regulatory challenges, and resolve disputes
- Legal compliance and corporate governance executives who handle compliance regarding internal and external laws and regulations
- Corporate communications, strategic communications, and legislative affairs leaders who build relationships, develop strategies, and craft messages
What You Will Gain from Completing the Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Certificate
Fundamentals of Crisis Communication
Crisis Communication Planning
In Crisis Communication Planning, you’ll develop your own custom crisis management plan for your organization and learn about the dynamics of managing a crisis team and how to develop relationships with key publics.
Crisis Response Strategies
In Crisis Response Strategies, you’ll develop a comprehensive set of techniques for responding to active crisis scenarios and develop a toolkit for managing online and traditional media for effective crisis responses.
Communication During a Crisis
In Communication During a Crisis, you’ll develop branding and related communication strategies applied during crisis events, including key messaging and other tools for internal and external crisis communication.
Media Engagement
In Media Engagement, you’ll prepare strategies for interacting with media and other stakeholders on behalf of the organization during crisis events, effectively providing statements, working with hostile questions, and directing multiple spokespeople with different agendas.
Risk and Reputation Management
In Risk and Reputation Management, you’ll develop strategies for managing risk and protecting reputations throughout your organization including developing a custom risk and vulnerabilities assessment for your organization, incorporating best practices for improving reputations, and developing ethical decision-making tools.
One-on-One Media Training Coaching
Twice during the program, you will participate in One-on-One Media Training, helping you, as a growing crisis communication leader, have a positive impact on your organization’s target audiences, or even instruct other spokespeople and subject matter experts on effective interviews. One session is on media-focused message refinement for your organization and the second session is a critiqued individual mock media interview.
Course Schedules
Summer 2024 Cohort
Course
*CEU Earned
Dates
Fall 2024 Cohort
Course
*CEU Earned
Dates
Winter 2025 Cohort
Course
*CEU Earned
Dates
Spring 2025 Cohort
Course
*CEU Earned
Dates
*Continuing and Professional Studies (CPS) at Rutgers University's the School of Communication and Information offers 18 Continuing Education Units (CEU) for the Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Certificate Program. CPS maintains all CEU records and can provide documentation in support of CEU attainment.
Meet the Instructional Team
Getting Started
How do I register and pay?
- Create an account in Ancor if do not already have one.
- Once you've created an account, use the links provided by your CPS program coordinator to add each course to your cart.
Pay in full:
- Your discount will automatically apply once all the courses are in your cart.
- Enter your payment information and submit.
Pay as you go:
- Enter your payment information and submit.
- Each month, we will reach out to you to remind you to register for your next course.
What payment options are available?
It’s quick and easy! Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Seek Employer Support
Many employers support the upskilling costs of this certificate program. Connect with your human resources department to understand your organization’s policy, and reach out to cps@comminfo.rutgers.edu regarding your next step.
Pay by Credit or Debit Card
Once you enroll in the program, a member of the CPS team will provide you with a link to the program and course registration. You may purchase this certificate’s bundled tuition savings or the monthly course rate. Online registration is completed with a credit or debit card. Registration is complete when your credit or debit card information is processed.
SallieMae loans may be suitable for you
Step 1: Apply here https://www.salliemae.com/
Step 2: Your application will come to our department for certification.
Step 3: Once you are certified and SallieMae approves your loan, reach out to cps@comminfo.rutgers.edu to complete your registration.
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Grant
You may be eligible if you are unemployed and a New Jersey resident. Please get in touch with your local NJ One Stop Center to apply for funding. This certificate is approved by NJTOPPS.
Students within Continuing and Professional Studies are not considered matriculated Rutgers University students and therefore are not eligible for Rutgers University’s financial aid.
What will I receive upon completion?
- Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Digital Badge
- Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Certificate
- Transcript
- Letter of Certification of Continuing Education Units
Questions?
For program questions or to register:
CPS@Comminfo.Rutgers.edu
848-932-7169