You’ll build the skills to create more effective key messaging and persuasion in Advanced Public Relations Writing. Much more than grammar and sentence structure, students will delve into audience analysis, planning, and situational assessment to incorporate 360-degree mastery of their written content.
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Public Relations 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 $4,054.50 | $795 per course, or save 10% by enrolling in the full program for $4,293 |
| Winter: Jan. 13 - June 29, 2025 | Registration deadline: Jan. 10, 2025 | Save 15%: Register by Dec. 22, 2024, and enroll for $4,054.50 | $795 per course, or save 10% by enrolling in the full program for $4,293 |
| Spring: April 7 - Sept. 28, 2025 | Registration deadline: April 4, 2025 | Save 15%: Register by March 21, 2025, and enroll for $4,054.50 | $795 per course, or save 10% by enrolling in the full program for $4,293 |
Public Relations Certificate Overview
Public relations is a rapidly evolving industry where, at the most effective levels, its practitioners are called on to influence many decisions, affect change, drive growth, and mitigate internal and external damage.
PR professionals are critical to growing their organization’s long-term value, trust, and success. The Rutgers Public Relations Certificate (PR) program offers you a transformative opportunity to develop in-demand hard and soft skills and generate the respect to guide senior leadership through organizational change. Through our comprehensive online program, which includes six four-week courses, you'll gain invaluable expertise in traditional and emerging communication techniques, strategies, and tactics—including artificial intelligence—to thrive in today’s complex and demanding information environment. This will enable you to effectively protect and enhance your organization’s reputation, affecting everything from marketplace awareness to strategic growth and employee satisfaction.
The most successful students will have three-plus years of experience in professional settings.
Who Will Benefit from the Public Relations Certificate?
- Public relations and public affairs professionals who are focused on growing their influence within their organization and with senior leadership
- Marketing, human resources, or other specialists seeing an increase in their areas of operation and internal communication needs
- PR practitioners with few in-house peers to guide their PR skill growth to create and execute campaigns and plans
- Public information officers that need to expand their abilities to impact a growing range of audiences and build reputations, trust, and credibility
- Social media specialists who are on the front lines of public perception
- PR agency staff and consultants seeking to add skillsets that will grow their business
- Journalists transitioning into PR who need to build skills well beyond media relations
- Non-profit leaders expanding areas of expertise or growing awareness of causes
- Lawyers and other legal professionals advocating for their clients or growing their footprint
- Candidates for certifications such as APR and ABC or advanced degrees
What You Will Gain from Completing the Public Relations Certificate
Advanced Public Relations Writing
Ethics and the Business of Public Relations
PR pros are often the conscience of their organizations, anticipating the reaction and behavior of stakeholders to business decisions. With that responsibility in mind, Ethics and the Business of Public Relations provides deep insight on how to navigate the many grey areas of ethical decision making and its impact on key constituencies.
Social Media Strategies
In the rapidly evolving Social Media Strategies, you’ll learn the latest techniques for influencing online audiences and how to assess and demonstrate your impact for senior leaders.
Smart Public Relations Measurement
Learn the latest techniques for influencing online audiences, assessing and demonstrating your impact for senior leaders by employing Smart Public Relations Measurements.
Integrated Marketing Communication
Public relations practitioners often influence or even lead other disciplines within their organizations, with Integrated Marketing Communication becoming an umbrella focus.
Strategic Public Relations
You’ll learn how to incorporate integrated marketing communication tools into your planning and create the customized solutions that form Strategic Public Relations, guiding your organization to measurable success.
Course Schedules
Summer 2024 Cohort
Course
*CEU Earned
Dates
Fall 2024 Cohort
Course
*CEU Earned
Dates
Winter 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 Public Relations 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?
- Public Relations Certificate
- Transcript
- Letter of Certification of Continuing Education Units
Questions?
For general program questions or to register:
CPS@Comminfo.Rutgers.edu
848-932-7169