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Ministry-approved title: Public Relations
Public relations (PR) professionals are relied on to share critical messages through engaging writing, online content creation, special events and fundraising campaigns. Regardless of the field – sports, fashion, music, television or healthcare – a creative PR professional is an essential part of any successful business or non-profit organization. Completing this program prepares graduates to master the art of communicating in today’s digital age.
Applicants who are internationally educated in a non‐English speaking country must meet Durham College’s English Language Proficiency Policy.
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Developed in response to the growing need for Public Relations (PR) professionals, this graduate certificate program prepares students with the expertise to succeed in a wide scope of career options through in-demand communication skills. This program provides a specialized offering of courses that includes social responsibility, data collection and analysis, professional writing, media and influencer relations, as well as digital accessibility and community relationship-building, equipping students with a well-rounded PR education.
Graduates possess the skills to apply project management tools to plan and implement a PR campaign, evaluate data to determine project effectiveness and alignment with organizational objectives as well as work collaboratively on project teams. Graduates also gain a competitive advantage in the job market by having in-depth knowledge of accessibility legislation, including those in Ontario (AODA), Canada (ACA and other provincial acts) and internationally, preparing them to confidently create accessible digital content.
Students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in an optional 14-week, 420-hour work term. They will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to successfully apply their public relations, communications and multimedia expertise within a professional organization, agency or communications team. This optional work term provides valuable career experience and an opportunity for the graduate to move into a full-time role. DC is dedicated to assisting students in securing their work term and supports them throughout the process.
As a graduate of the Public Relations graduate certificate program, you will be able to:
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Hybrid
The rest of the coursework will be delivered using hybrid, flexible or online formats. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Graduates may also be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study through Durham College’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
A Mac laptop is recommended. Please see the hardware requirements document for details.
DO NOT PURCHASE THIS SOFTWARE PRIOR TO STARTING THE PROGRAM.
Creative Cloud brings together everything you need to create your greatest work. One simple membership gives you and your classmates to the very latest versions of all the Adobe professional creative desktop applications like Photoshop®, Illustrator®, Premiere Pro® and more — plus new features and upgrades as soon as they're available. And that's just the beginning. With Creative Cloud™, everything you need to create intuitively and collaboratively is included.
Free downloadable software (please download and install prior to the start of classes. Caution: To avoid malware, only download from the actual developer or using the links below):
NOTE: These requirements were accurate at the time of posting and are subject to change. Please be aware that hardware and software versions are subject to change and will be updated as needed. For further information and FAQ click here.
Participating in the optional work term semester is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations.
Students in the Public Relations graduate certificate program will be invited to apply to the optional work term semester during their first academic semester. Entrance to the optional work term semester is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive. Students who qualify for the optional work term semester will be eligible to complete a four-month, paid work term after academic semester 2.
Supports are available through Experiential Learning to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, Experiential Learning is in contact with work term students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions.
The co-op experience provides the opportunity for students to consolidate their professional knowledge and skills in a practice setting. The work term will provide students with work experience in public relations. The work term expands students’ learning environment to real work settings where they will be challenged to apply their academic knowledge and practical skills. Students will be assessed on performance and ability to demonstrate knowledge, skills, professional standards, and ethics.
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.
Once transferred to the work term option of this program, students will have an administrative fee of $475 assessed to their accounts during the academic semester(s) prior to scheduled work term(s). The administrative fee goes to support the broad array of support services provided to work term students. These services are dedicated to support student success.
If you are an international student enrolled in the work term option, you are required to have a valid co-op work permit before starting your work term. You must apply for and receive a Social Insurance Number in order to work in Canada. Documentation and instructions on how to apply for a co-op work permit will be provided only to students who are successful with their application into the work term option once semester 1 grades have been finalized.
Please note fees displayed are estimates based on information available at the time the estimate is produced.
Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op student.
Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op employer.
E: co-op@durhamcollege.ca
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