Public relations is a management function that establishes and maintains mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and the publics on whom its success or failure depends. Virtually every kind of institution—for-profit and nonprofit alike—recognizes the need for dialogue with the groups of people who can and will influence its future. The undergraduate certificate in public relations is designed to provide students with the principles and theories that guide the work of public relations practitioners in a variety of contexts including private industry, government and nonprofit settings.

The undergraduate certificate in public relations is designed for undergraduate communication majors who wish to demonstrate to potential employers that they possess skills and knowledge in the area of public relations. It also is useful for nondegree-seeking working professionals without bachelor’s degrees who plan to enter or re-enter the workplace and who want to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to employ principles of public relations in their professional environments.