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Continuing Education

Public Relations Certificate

Applications for StrongerBC future skills grant funding for this program are now closed for Fall 2024. To pay for a program seat, please see tuition costs below.

Business and Management

Engage audiences with great storytelling

In the age of social media, public relations staff play a vital role to ensure that their organization not only builds a positive reputation, but also engages customers and grows in influence.

To enable you to seize opportunities in this fast-moving field, UFV’s Public Relations program equips you with practical knowledge in public relations, social media, image management, public speaking, media relations, and writing. These sought-after skills qualify you for varied employment opportunities or career advancement and are applicable across a wide range of disciplines.

Credential: Certificate

Format: Part time

Delivery: Online courses with no scheduled meeting times; practicum in person at an assigned work site

Duration: 1–3 years

Tuition*: Approximately $3900. Tuition is paid per course.

Practicum required? Yes

Application deadline:
Students can apply at any time and will be considered for the next available intake.

Entrance requirements

View entrance requirements in the UFV Academic Calendar.

Program outline

Courses

View the schedule of current and upcoming Public Relations courses for course descriptions, fees, and other details.

To complete the Public Relations certificate, you must complete 12 courses and a practicum.

  • These courses can be taken in any order, so you can start the program in Fall, Winter, or Spring.
  • The courses in this program have no prerequisites. However, please note that you must complete all the courses before qualifying for the practicum.
  • Each course is usually offered once per year.
  • All courses are held online with no scheduled meeting times.

Courses are offered on the following schedule:

Fall — September to December
Course Delivery Hrs of instruction # of weeks
(PR01) Fundamentals of Public Relations Online 15 3
(PR03) Storytelling that Matters: Public Speaking Online 15 3
(PR07) Persuasive Messaging Online 15 3
(PR10) Building a Media Kit Online 5 1

 

Winter — January to April
Course Delivery Hrs of instruction # of weeks
(PR02) Social Media and Digital Citizenship Online 15 3
(PR04) Ask and Answer: Skills for Interviews Online 15 3
(PR05) Writing for the Internet Online 15 3
(PR06) Impression Management Online 15 3
(PR12) Marketing 21st Century Style Online 5 1

 

Spring — May to August
Course Delivery Hrs of instruction # of weeks
(PR08) Visual Communications Online 15 3
(PR09) Copyright and Legal Issues Online 15 3
(PR11) Employment Messaging Online 5 1
(PR13) Practicum Off site Mon-Fri 2


Please note that the Course Schedule is subject to change.

Interested in taking individual courses without completing the certificate? Email continuingeducation@ufv.ca for permission. 

Practicum

Students complete a two-week practicum at the end of their program that provides a meaningful work-like experience and exposure to a professional records management setting. To qualify for the practicum, you must have successfully completed all courses within the program.

 

Practicum schedule

Your practicum hours will reflect the schedule of the host you are paired with.

 

Practicum location

While we try to place students near their city of residence, we cannot guarantee a practicum placement in a particular city. For example, students who live outside the Fraser Valley may need to travel to the Fraser Valley to complete their practicum. Transportation to the practicum site is your responsibility.

 

Missing your practicum

Completing your practicum is a requirement for graduation. If you are unable to attend or complete your practicum due to extenuating circumstances, please contact Continuing Education immediately.

Extenuating circumstances are defined as a situation beyond your control that prevents you from completing a course, program, or practicum. These are circumstances that are unexpected and/or uncontrollable and arise during the course of the program. Examples include:

  • Death of an immediate family member
  • Car accident
  • Medical emergency
  • Incapacitating illness
  • Serious personal situation

The following does not qualify:

  • Inability to achieve a passing grade
  • Unawareness of deadlines
  • Unfavorable weather conditions
  • A short-term illness
  • An unmanaged, pre-existing health condition

Students who miss their practicum may re-register for practicum at the next intake date, but will be required to pay the tuition cost of the practicum again.

Please discuss any barriers that may affect your practicum assignment with Continuing Education immediately after registration.

 

Employment facts

According to Money Magazine, the public relations field has high expected job growth. With the proliferation of social media and non-traditional media outlets, most companies need assistance with engaging their audiences and building a positive public image. As a consequence, PR jobs now exist not only with agencies, but also in-house for a variety of businesses, non-profits, and public sector organizations.

Sample occupational titles

  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Communications Specialist
  • Community Relations Coordinator
  • Social Media Manager
  • Media Relations Manager
  • Brand Ambassador
  • Advocacy Officer
  • Press Secretary
  • Publicist
  • Public Relations Coordinator
  • Information Officer
  • Event Coordinator

Sample industries

According to National Household Survey data, jobs in public relations and communications exist in every industry. Some sample industries include:

  • Human Resources
  • Administration
  • Business
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Marketing
  • Government
  • Nonprofit
  • Consulting
Textbooks

To find your textbooks, use the UFV Bookstore's textbook search tool. Select "CE - Continuing Education" as your area of study.

Questions?

Phone: 604-851-6324
Toll free: 1-888-504-7441 ext. 6324
Email: continuingeducation@ufv.ca

Upgrade your skills & achieve your goals

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