About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 1 Year Graduate Certificate
  • Campus: Welland
  • Code: 0171 P0171
  • Delivery Length: 1 Year
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Overview

Are you a detail-oriented story-teller who excels at relationship building and boasts a strong range of skills including writing and research, and strategic communications and analysis?

As a Public Relations (PR) practitioner, you are a strong written and verbal communicator with an understanding of the importance of effective communication between an organization and the public.

Highlights

  • Develop the public relations and strategic communication skills needed to succeed in the fast-paced and diverse world of PR.

  • Gain hands-on learning experience via a 152-hour field placement and applied learning projects involving industry clients in the second term.

  • Curriculum, including an emphasis on social media, is informed by a program advisory committee to ensure industry relevance, and exceeds current provincial PR program standards.

  • Program runs three days a week in both terms.

  • Provides multiple networking opportunities for students to meet industry professionals.

Career Opportunities
  • Change management
  • Community relations
  • Corporate social responsibility
  • Crisis, internal, or marketing communications
  • Investor relations
  • Issues management
  • Media relations
  • Public affairs
  • Publicity
  • Special event management
  • Social media/digital communications
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Courses

Term one (2025 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
PREL9131 Public Relations Principles I 3
PREL9130 Writing Principles 4
PREL9134 Media Relations 3
PREL9232 Social Media Strategies 2
PREL9236 Organizational Communications 3
PREL9729 Computer Applications Design I 3
Term two (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
PREL9230 Advanced Writing 3
PREL9241 Public Relations Principles II 2
PREL9233 Special Event Development and Management 3
PREL9244 Public Relations Applied Projects 3
PREL9332 Social Media Strategies II 2
PREL9673 Desktop Publishing II 3
PRAC9143 Field Placement - Public Relations 3
Learning Outcomes Term: 1254

  1. Coordinate and contribute to the planning of public relations activities, including the development of clear, measurable communication objectives and project or tactical budgets and selection of strategies, tactics, tools and resources to manage a range of stakeholder* relationships and issues and achieve organizational objectives.

  2. Coordinate, contribute to and adapt the implementation of strategies and tactics and the management of budgets and resources to achieve communication objectives and meet activity guidelines and requirements.

  3. Write and edit clear, accurate, targeted copy aligned to organizational objectives, appropriate for the chosen channel(s)* and to a specified deadline.

  4. Produce effective, accessible, and timely print, digital and multimedia communications, independently and collaboratively, to manage specific stakeholder* relations and/or issues and achieve organizational objectives.

  5. Use research results and analytical skills to guide the development of communication objectives and public relations activities, evaluate their impact, and support organizational objectives and stakeholder* relationships.

  6. Engage stakeholders* by adapting language, tone and presentation style to the public relations purpose, situation, audience and channel(s)*.

  7. Comply with and support others to work in accordance with relevant professional association and industry codes of ethics, public relations professional standards and practices, and legal obligations, protocols and policies.

  8. Monitor emerging social and economic trends, and local, national and global issues to guide the planning and implementation of public relations strategies and tactics and support organizational effectiveness, stakeholder* relationships and ongoing personal professional development.

  9. Assess the selection and implications of current and emerging technologies on the quality and delivery of public relations activities and on organizational effectiveness.

  10. Select strategies and tools to build and manage stakeholder* relationships to support public relations activities, organizational objectives and career development.

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Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree in any field of study or
  • Ontario College Diploma (or equivalent) in a related area of study (as determined by the College) including Business and Management Studies, Communications, Journalism, or Broadcasting or
  • an acceptable combination of related work experience and postsecondary education (as determined by the College) outlined in a portfolio submission and
  • Proof of English proficiency
Selection and Ranking

Testing or other supplemental evaluation may be required.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Note

Most private college courses and/or credentials are not acceptable as admission requirements for Niagara College programs.

Please contact the Admissions office at [email protected] for assistance.

Pre-Admission Requirements

As part of the admissions process some programs have pre-admission requirements.

Domestic Applicants:

Pre-admission requirements for domestic applicants can be found at niagaracollege.ca/par.

Domestic applicants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Convention refugees.

International Applicants:

Pre-admission requirements for international applicants can be found at international.niagaracollege.ca/pre-admission/.

Program Requirements
Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Computer/Technology Requirements
  • In order to successfully complete studies at Niagara College, it is recommended that each student have access to a personal computer or laptop.
  • We recommend students purchase Mac laptops or desktops with the same specifications or higher as the Macs in our labs. Our Mac labs have the following minimum configuration:
    • i5 processor
    • 5 Ghz 16 GB of ram
    • 256 GB SSD
    • Minimum 17 inch screen, 21.5 inch recommended
  • This program is taught in a Mac environment; some program software runs on a PC. Suggested minimum configurations for a PC are the same as listed above for a Mac.
  • Niagara College’s program labs offer computers on campus, but availability outside scheduled classes cannot be guaranteed.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Public Relations program below.

  • To NC from
    Universidad ORT Uruguay — Bachelor's Degree in Global Communications Uruguay

  For detailed information about these pathway options visit niagaracollege.ca/pathways/.

Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

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Faculty

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The combination of the curriculum, hands-on learning and connections/network that I gained through the program helped prepare me to enter the industry.

When I realized that I enjoyed writing, communications and event planning, the Public Relations program was the best fit and enrolling in the program was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The combination of the curriculum, hands-on learning and connections/network that I gained through the program helped prepare me to enter the industry.

Patricia Bernardo, Program Graduate Junior Communications Specialist, Niagara Health System

I had heard many great things about Niagara College, specifically the PR post-grad program. Everything I heard was right! I learned so much and met many great people!

Brier, program graduate

My time enrolled in the Public Relations program at Niagara College was one of the most effective and influential experiences of my academic career. With a full staff of highly-motivated instructors, and courses tailored to reflect the true atmosphere of the industry this program perfectly prepares its students for the fast-paced world of Public Relations. By offering a course load that is reflective of both the intensity and quantity of the industry, students are able to enter the work force with hands on experience and a relevant skill set that will undoubtedly impress future employers.

Adam Lalama, program graduate

Niagara College’s Public Relations program is an amazing way for students to gain insight on the industry. Each class is crafted in a manner that allows students to learn about the most relevant trends from seasoned PR professionals. The lessons and hands-on experiences provided from this program undoubtedly prepare students to enter the field of public relations.

Devon Gribble, program graduate

Completing the Graduate Certificate Public Relations program at Niagara College was one of the most fulfilling accomplishments in my academic career. The program provided invaluable resources and knowledge that I will continue to use in the workplace. The amazingly talented faculty provided support and opportunities for students to succeed and consciously focus on the endgame, a career in Public Relations. The workload is realistic in an industry that is competitive, creative and challenging. To complete my education feeling prepared and confident in my abilities was incredibly rewarding.

Dana Connor, program graduate

The Public Relations program at Niagara College offers a hands-on and fast paced approach to learning – perfect for students looking to gain an understanding of both the practical and theoretical aspects of the communications field. Niagara College’s PR program exposes students to real-world scenarios and clients giving them the confidence and experience needed to succeed. With courses taught by a range of PR pros and plenty of networking opportunities, PR at NC is an incomparable program.

Brittany Arnold, program graduate
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