Undergraduate Certificate in Public Relations
Undergraduate Certificate in Public Relations
Public Relations has been defined as the management function that entails planning, research, publicity, promotion, and collaborative decision-making to help any organization’s ability to listen to, appreciate, and respond appropriately to those persons and groups whose mutually beneficial relationships the organization needs to foster as it strives to achieve its mission and vision. 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 seek to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to perform public relations in their professional environments.
Certificate Requirements
The Undergraduate Certificate in Public Relations requires 12 credits hours (4 courses). Students must complete the following three courses:
- 4635 Principles of Public Relations
- 4640 Advanced Public Relations
- 4665 Principles of Advertising
Students must also choose one additional course from the two listed below:
- 3680 Mass Communication Skills
- 4240 Organizational Communication
Students may be permitted to take courses other than those listed above to fulfill the requirements for the Certificate if those courses fit their professional goals better (CMMU 5635, Principles of Public Relations may not be substituted, however). Requests for approval for substitute courses, including an explanation for the substitution, must be made in writing to Hamilton Bean.
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.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Students should apply for the Undergraduate Certificate in Public Relations after the completion of the required courses. To apply, students must attach an unofficial transcript to the completed "Application Form: Undergraduate Certificate in Public Relations" downloaded from here or from the brochure rack in the Communication Department's lobby. Return it to Hamilton Bean in his mailbox located in the Plaza Building, 102-A, or mailed to Department of Communication, University of Colorado Denver, P.O. 173364, Campus Box 176, Denver, CO 80217. The approved certificate is mailed to the student.
Students who are not already enrolled at the University of Colorado Denver must also complete this "Application for Non-Degree Admission" which can be downloaded here or on the University of Colorado Denver website. The form should be returned to the Office of Admissions in the Annex of the CU Building located at the corner of 14th and Larimer.
Additional Information
Additional information about the Undergraduate Certificate in Public Relations may be obtained from:
Hamilton Bean
Department of Communication
Plaza Building, room 102-Q
303-352-3876
