Undergraduate Certificate in Public Relations
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 not-for-profit 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 non-profit 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 non-degree-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.
Certificate Requirements -- 12 credit hours (4 courses)
Students must complete the following core course:
- CMMU 4635 Principles of Public Relations
Students choose three courses from the following:
- CMMU 3620 Television Production
- CMMU 3680 Mass Communication Skills
- CMMU 4140 Argumentation
- CMMU 4200 Persuasion
- CMMU 4240 Organizational Communication
- CMMU 4290 Web Design
- CMMU 4300 Multimedia Authoring
- CMMU 4665 Principles of Advertising
- CMMU 4682 Political Communication
- CMMU 4805 Graphics
Students may be allowed to take courses other than those on this list to fulfill the requirements for the Certificate if those courses fit their professional goals better. Requests for approval for different courses should be made in writing to Barbara Walkosz. Such requests should include an explanation of the relevance of the course(s) to be substituted to the student's professional goals and the Certificate.
Grade and Residency Requirements
A grade of B must be earned in each course completed as part of the Certificate. All of the credit hours for the Certificate must be earned at the University of Colorado Denver.
Registration Procedures
Students should apply for the Undergraduate Certificate in Public Relations only after the completion of the required courses. To apply, students must complete the "Application Form: Undergraduate Certificate in Public Relations." The form should be returned to Professor Barbara Walkosz. Once the Certificate is processed, it will be mailed to the student.
Students who are not already enrolled at the University of Colorado Denver also must complete an "Application for Non-Degree Admission." The form should be returned to the Office of Admissions in the annex of the CU Building.
Additional Information
Additional information about the Undergraduate Certificate in Public Relations may be obtained from:
Professor Barbara Walkosz
Department of Communication
Plaza Building, room 102-H
303-556-6719
Barbara.Walkosz@cudenver.edu
