Ontario College Graduate Certificate | 2 semesters | Barrydowne Campus
Studying on a part-time or full-time basis, you’ll develop a valuable communications skill set that will illuminate your career path to a management position in public relations. Experienced professors and industry professionals will lead as you explore how organizations create and maintain relationships with their publics. You will study communications strategies and learn how to engage effectively, while managing internal and external forces to maintain and enhance reputations for all types and sizes of organizations. This is a growing field with lots of opportunities for graduates to work in their chosen industry.
You will learn the ropes of the public relations industry through classes, labs, and hands-on assignments and gain the range of skills you need to be the great communicator whom so many employers are actively hiring. Areas of study in public relations include:
- Public relations strategies
- Media relations
- Corporate communications
- Event planning and management
- Writing for the web, social media, print, and broadcast
- Communications research
- Communications design
As a public relations student, it's your choice whether to attend classes in-person or virtually and move seamlessly between the two. All classes are streamed live over the Internet and recorded for viewing at a later time.
Cambrian College is a member of both the Canadian Public Relations Society and the International Association of Business Communicators. Students are encouraged to consider purchasing a student membership in these professional associations.
Program Highlights
- 8 months – 2 semesters
- Delivered as a combination of online courses, classroom experiences, and practical experiences
- Real-world experience from planning and executing community events that raise thousands of dollars to developing strategic plans for community clients
- Courses cover all aspects of public relations, including communication strategies, event management, media relations, digital marketing, and more.
Part-time Pathway
Students may choose to complete this program in six terms while studying part-time. For more information on the part-time pathway, see the Program Delivery tab.
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Admission Requirements
Applicants must be graduates of a diploma, advanced diploma, or degree program from an Ontario College or equivalent.
OR
Applicant must possess five years of work experience in a related field (or combination of education and work experience) as judged by the College to be equivalent. Applicants must submit a resume detailing their related experience and a cover letter outlining their competencies and preparedness for the program (any and all post-secondary transcripts must still be submitted).
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Program Delivery
2024-2025
This program will be delivered in the following terms:
Winter Term Start
- SEMESTER 1 Winter 2024
- SEMESTER 2 Spring 2024
2024-2025
This program will be delivered in the following terms:
Fall Term Start
- SEMESTER 1 Fall 2024
- SEMESTER 2 Winter 2025
Winter Term Start
- SEMESTER 1 Winter 2025
- SEMESTER 2 Spring 2025
For specific term start/end dates and other key dates/deadlines, please see the Academic Schedule on our website.
Program of Study for 2024-25 Academic Year
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| PRO 1132 | Public Relations Strategies I | 3 |
| PRO 1133 | Digital Marketing | 3 |
| PRO 1134 | Media Relations | 3 |
| PRO 1130 | Event Planning & Theory | 3 |
| COM 1161 | Communications Research | 3 |
| PRO 1135 | Public Relations Writing I | 3 |
| COM 1162 | Communications Design | 3 |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PRO 1143 | Personal Branding | 3 |
| PRO 1142 | Public Relations Strategies II | 3 |
| PRO 1145 | Public Relations Writing II | 3 |
| PRO 1144 | PR Agency | 3 |
| COM 1171 | Crisis Communications | 3 |
| COM 1172 | Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility | 3 |
| PRO 1140 | Event Production | 4 |
| Credits | 22 | |
| Total Credits | 43 | |
Note:
Part-time students will be provided with a pathway to complete this program on a part-time basis.
Fees
Tuition and Ancillary Fees
Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.
Books & Supplies
The cost of books and supplies for the two semesters is approximately $1,280. This includes approximately $600 for a new camera and $680 for new books. Costs can be significantly reduced by purchasing used books and/or electronic books through the Bookstore @ Cambrian. It's advisable to check with your photography professor at the beginning of the semester regarding questions about the camera.This is the best information available at the time of publishing to the website and is subject to change.
Graduate Options
Employment Opportunities
Graduates are prepared for positions in public relations and communications with a skill set that is relevant to many diverse fields in today's economy. For example, thousands of public relations practitioners the world over contributed to crucial communications surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Graduates may choose to open their own agency or perhaps to work at a large corporation or a grassroots not-for-profit. There is a wealth of opportunity for communicators across all sectors in this growing industry. Graduates will find employment opportunities as:
- Social media coordinator
- Communications officer
- Event manager
- Marketing communications manager
- Digital media specialist
- Strategic communications planner
- Publicist
- Media relations manager
- Content marketing manager
College/University Degree Opportunities
Graduates from this program may continue their studies at college/university and may receive credit for their prior College education.
Refer to College/University Agreements for further information.
Please note: Cambrian College strives to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. Please note that the academic curriculum is continually reviewed and revised to ensure that Cambrian's programs and courses remain relevant. The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.