Public Relations Certificate

Program Cohort, Registration, and Cost

Application Deadlines

Bundle and Save on the Full Program

Spring 2025: April 7 - Sept. 28, 2025
Application Deadline: April 4, 2025

$4,770 (Six courses)

  • SAVE 15%: Enroll in the full program by March 21, 2025 for $4,054.50
  • SAVE 10%: Enroll in the full program after March 22, 2025 for $4,293.00

Summer 2025: June 30 – Dec. 21, 2025
Application Deadline: June 27, 2025

$4,770 (Six courses)

  • SAVE 15%: Enroll in the full program by June 13, 2025 for $4,054.50
  • SAVE 10%: Enroll in the full program after June 14, 2025 for $4,293.00

Fall 2025: Sept. 29, 2025 – April 5, 2026
Application Deadline: Sept. 26, 2025

$4,770 (Six courses

  • SAVE 15%: Enroll in the full program by Sept. 12, 2025 for $4,054.50
  • SAVE 10%: Enroll in the full program after Sept. 13, 2025 for $4,293.00

Monthly payment option: $795 per course for six months

Public Relations Certificate Overview

Become a master of influential communication with the leading-edge Rutgers Public Relations Certificate! We meticulously designed our six-course program for public relations professionals who want to strengthen their reputations and be more confident navigating the dynamic PR landscape successfully.

Earn the Rutgers Public Relations Certificate by taking six four-week courses. Each course is 100% online and asynchronous, allowing you to learn on your schedule. Our internationally renowned team of experienced instructors engages you in hands-on simulations, case studies, and collaborative projects to ensure the practical application of theoretical concepts. Delve into social media management, social media strategies, integrated marketing communication, smart PR measurement, advanced PR writing, ethics and the business of PR, and strategic public relations.

Elevate your expertise, build a robust professional network, and expand your diverse career opportunities. Enroll today—secure your PR certification, earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and become a certified public relations professional.

Begin your journey today.

Who Will Benefit from the Public Relations Certificate?

  • Public relations and public affairs professionals who are focused on growing their influence within their organization and with senior leadership
  • Marketing, human resources, or other specialists seeing an increase in their areas of operation and internal communication needs
  • PR practitioners with few in-house peers to guide their PR skill growth to create and execute campaigns and plans
  • Public information officers that need to expand their abilities to impact a growing range of audiences and build reputations, trust, and credibility
  • Social media specialists who are on the front lines of public perception
  • PR agency staff and consultants seeking to add skillsets that will grow their business
  • Journalists transitioning into PR who need to build skills well beyond media relations
  • Non-profit leaders expanding areas of expertise or growing awareness of causes
  • Lawyers and other legal professionals advocating for their clients or growing their footprint
  • Candidates for certifications such as APR and ABC or advanced degrees

What You Will Gain from Completing the Public Relations Certificate

Advanced Public Relations Writing

You’ll build the skills to create more effective key messaging and persuasion in Advanced Public Relations Writing. Much more than grammar and sentence structure, students will delve into audience analysis, planning, and situational assessment to incorporate 360-degree mastery of their written content.

Ethics and the Business of Public Relations

PR pros are often the conscience of their organizations, anticipating the reaction and behavior of stakeholders to business decisions. With that responsibility in mind, Ethics and the Business of Public Relations provides deep insight on how to navigate the many grey areas of ethical decision making and its impact on key constituencies.

Social Media Strategies

In the rapidly evolving Social Media Strategies, you’ll learn the latest techniques for influencing online audiences and how to assess and demonstrate your impact for senior leaders.

Smart Public Relations Measurement

Learn the latest techniques for influencing online audiences, assessing and demonstrating your impact for senior leaders by employing Smart Public Relations Measurements.

Integrated Marketing Communication

Public relations practitioners often influence or even lead other disciplines within their organizations, with Integrated Marketing Communication becoming an umbrella focus.

Strategic Public Relations

You’ll learn how to incorporate integrated marketing communication tools into your planning and create the customized solutions that form Strategic Public Relations, guiding your organization to measurable success.

Course Schedules

Fall 2024 Cohort
Course
*CEU Earned
Dates
3.0 CEU
September 30 - October 27, 2024
3.0 CEU
October 28 - November 24, 2024
3.0 CEU
November 25 - December 22, 2024
3.0 CEU
January 13 - February 9, 2025
3.0 CEU
February 10 - March 9, 2025
3.0 CEU
March 10 - April 6, 2025
Winter 2025 Cohort
Course
*CEU Earned
Dates
3.0 CEU
January 13 - February 9, 2025
3.0 CEU
February 10 - March 9, 2025
3.0 CEU
March 10 - April 6, 2025
3.0 CEU
April 7 - May 4, 2025
3.0 CEU
May 5 - June 1, 2025
3.0 CEU
June 2 - 29, 2025
Spring 2025 Cohort
Course
*CEU Earned
Dates
3.0 CEU
April 7 - May 4, 2025
3.0 CEU
May 5 - June 1, 2025
3.0 CEU
June 2 - 29, 2025
3.0 CEU
June 30 - July 27, 2025
3.0 CEU
July 28 - August 24, 2025
3.0 CEU
August 25 - September 28, 2025
Summer 2025 Cohort
Course
*CEU Earned
Dates
3.0 CEU
June 30 - July 27, 2025
3.0 CEU
July 28 - August 24, 2025
3.0 CEU
August 25 - September 28, 2025
3.0 CEU
September 29 - October 26, 2025
3.0 CEU
October 27 - November 23, 2025
3.0 CEU
November 24 - December 21, 2025
Fall 2025 Cohort
Course
*CEU Earned
Dates
3.0 CEU
September 29 - October 26, 2025
3.0 CEU
October 27 - November 23, 2025
3.0 CEU
November 24 - December 21, 2025
3.0 CEU
January 12 - February 8, 2026
3.0 CEU
February 9 - March 8, 2026
3.0 CEU
March 9 - April 5, 2026

*Continuing and Professional Studies (CPS) at Rutgers University's the School of Communication and Information offers 18 Continuing Education Units (CEU) for the Public Relations Certificate Program. CPS maintains all CEU records and can provide documentation in support of CEU attainment.

Meet the Instructional Team

Getting Started

How do I register and pay?
  • Create an account in Ancor if do not already have one.
  • Once you've created an account, use the links provided by your CPS program coordinator to add each course to your cart.

 Pay in full:

  • Your discount will automatically apply once all the courses are in your cart.
  • Enter your payment information and submit.

 Pay as you go:

  • Enter your payment information and submit.
  • Each month, we will reach out to you to remind you to register for your next course.
What payment options are available?

It’s quick and easy! Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

piggy bank standing on bookSeek Employer Support

Many employers support the upskilling costs of this certificate program. Connect with your human resources department to understand your organization’s policy, and reach out to cps@comminfo.rutgers.edu regarding your next step.


Generic Credit Card imagePay by Credit or Debit Card

Once you enroll in the program, a member of the CPS team will provide you with a link to the program and course registration. You may purchase this certificate’s bundled tuition savings or the monthly course rate. Online registration is completed with a credit or debit card. Registration is complete when your credit or debit card information is processed.


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Step 1: Apply here https://www.salliemae.com/
Step 2: Your application will come to our department for certification.
Step 3: Once you are certified and SallieMae approves your loan, reach out to cps@comminfo.rutgers.edu to complete your registration.


Students within Continuing and Professional Studies are not considered matriculated Rutgers University students and therefore are not eligible for Rutgers University’s financial aid.

What will I receive upon completion?
  • Public Relations Certificate
  • Transcript
  • Letter of Certification of Continuing Education Units

Questions?

For general program questions or to register:
CPS@Comminfo.Rutgers.edu
848-932-7169