Certificate in Public Relations

Jump ahead in your career! Gain valuable experience and a credential!

Why a Certificate in Public Relations?

Public relations is a broad term that encompasses a multitude of communication functions that a Fortune 500 company, a small nonprofit, a celebrity brand, or a college will need:

marketing communication
public affairs
community relations
social media outreach
crisis communication, issues management, and image repair
employee communication
media relations

Public relations is a growing field of interest and employment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Employment of public relations specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The need for organizations to maintain their public image will continue to drive employment growth.”

What will I gain from this Certificate in Public Relations?

This certificate integrates communication theory with practical application. Students will develop a portfolio of skills and abilities valuable to any employer: critical thinking, problem-solving, effective listening, trend awareness, persuading, and effective written communication.

Students enrolled in this certificate can explore these career paths:

media relations
political affairs
lobbying and public policy
community relations
human resources/employee communication
new media and social media
marketing communication
advertising

What courses will I take in this Certificate in Public Relations?

The certificate will require 15 credit hours. Students must earn a C or higher in each class to receive the certificate.

COMM 4383: Persuasion
COMM 2362: Introduction to Public Relations
COMM 3362: Public Relations Writing
COMM 4360: Communication Research
Choose one class:
- COMM 4362: Public Relations Cases and Campaigns
- COMM 4370: Issues Management

To learn more about the program, contact the Department of Communication at 409-880-8153 or communication@lamar.edu.