Public Relations (Graduate Certificate)
Ontario Graduate Certificate
Program Code: 04561
Campus: Lakeshore
Length: 2 semesters starting in September
Life in PR is never dull, thanks in large part to the wealth of potential areas of employment, ranging from opening your own boutique agency to managing the public-facing corporate identity of massive companies and non-profit organizations. Potential PR specialties open to graduates of this program include:
- change and crisis management
- event planning
- government relations/public affairs
- internal communications
- marketing communications
- media and community relations
- publicity
- social media management
Our program is recognized by the industry as one of Canada’s leading training grounds for public relations professionals. Experienced professors will help you develop writing skills; public relations strategy, research and planning abilities; and a high degree of social and traditional media literacy. A practical, skills-based curriculum paired with a work placement will give you industry experience and contacts to set you up for success as you launch your PR career.
Many students choose our program because of our outstanding work placement program. After successfully completing two academic semesters, students will complete a mandatory work placement. This experience will allow you to gain valuable job skills and industry knowledge while building your network. Historically, students find work placements in PR agencies, corporations, entertainment organizations, and not-for-profits including arts organizations, hospitals, associations and government. While many placements are located within the GTA, students may also find placements outside the city, province or country.
Courses
Semester 1 |
Winter 2021 Delivery | Proposed Summer 2021 Delivery | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRC 5000: Event Planning and Management | Online | Not Running | |
| PRC 5001: Public Affairs | Online | Not Running | |
| PRC 5002: Public Relations Practice and Theory | Online | Not Running | |
| PRC 5003: Social and Digital Media | Online | Not Running | |
| PRC 5004: Corporate Public Relations and Investor Relations | Online | Not Running | |
| PRC 5006: Strategic Communications | Online | Not Running | |
| PRC 5007: Public Relations Writing and Lab 1 | Online | Not Running | |
| PRC 5008: Marketing Communications | Online | Not Running |
Semester 2 |
Winter 2021 Delivery | Proposed Summer 2021 Delivery | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRC 5500: Public Relations Writing and Lab 2 | Online | Online | |
| PRC 5501: Public Relations Presentation Skills | Online | Online | |
| PRC 5503: Communicating CSR and Sustainability | Online | Online | |
| PRC 5504: Research for Public Relations | Online | Online | |
| PRC 5505: Media Relations | Online | Online | |
| PRC 5506: Change Management and Communications | Online | Online | |
| PRC 5507: Design for Public Relations Practitioners | Online | Online | |
| PRC 5509: Professional Practice | Online | Online | |
| WORK 5502: Field Placement | Online/In-Person | Online |
Placement dependent upon Ministry of Health regulations |
Current students, please make sure to review your MyHumber Academic Progress report to confirm which courses you should register into for your Winter semester. Courses with in-person requirements will likely also have online components. Humber may need to change plans for in-person learning, subject to government and public health directives and/or additional health and safety considerations.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet all the requirements below in order to meet minimum program eligibility. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission. Admission decisions will be available via MyHumber, or by email and mail. Admission decisions will not be released by phone.
Admission selection is based on the following 5 requirements:
- .
Academic
To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:
- A bachelor’s degree, advanced diploma or diploma
Mature Applicants
Diplomas and Certificates
An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet program eligibility.
Degrees
An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.
College Transfer Applicants
Diplomas and Certificates
An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.
Degrees
An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.
University Transfer Applicants
Diplomas and Certificates
An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.
Degrees
An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.
- .
English Language Proficiency
All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.
- .
International Credit Evaluation
Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a WES or ICAS evaluation.
- .
Interview with Faculty
Applicants will meet with faculty to discuss their interest in the program. At this time applicants could benefit from sharing any experience and/or interest in learning about public relations. Applicants will be quizzed on current affairs, pulled from the national news headlines.
Registration Instructions
https://humber.ca/admissions/office-of-the-registrar/registration/registration-instructions.html
- .
Letter of Intent and Resume
Applicants must submit a detailed resume and a one-page letter of intent (350 words) prior to attending the interview. The letter of intent should express why they have an interest in public relations, and in Humber’s Public Relations graduate certificate program.
Submission Instructions
https://humber.ca/admissions/office-of-the-registrar/registration/submission-instructions.html
How to Apply
Applications are made through ontariocolleges.ca. See program page for details.
International Academic Equivalency
Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please see admission requirements on the program page to enter your location.
Fees
The 2020-2021 fee for two semesters is:
- domestic: $5,831.98
- international: $17,027.00
Fees are subject to change.
Domestic Fees by Semester
| Semester 1 | Original 2020-2021 Fees | Updated Fall 2020 Fees |
| Tuition | $2,397.08 | $2,397.08 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $434.91 | $319.30 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 | $60.25 |
| Optional Student Union Fee | $20.00 | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Total | $2,915.99 | $2,776.63 |
| Semester 2 | Original 2020-2021 Fees | Updated Fall 2020 Fees |
| Tuition | $2,397.08 | $2,397.08 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $434.91 | $319.30 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 | $60.25 |
| Optional Student Union Fee | $20.00 | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Total | $2,915.99 | $2,776.63 |
International Fees by Semester
| Semester 1 | Original 2020-2021 Fees | Updated Fall 2020 Fees |
| Tuition | $7,784.59 | $7,784.59 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $434.91 | $319.30 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 | $60.25 |
| Optional Student Union Fee | $20.00 | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Total | $8,303.50 | $8,164.14 |
| Semester 2 | Original 2020-2021 Fees | Updated Fall 2020 Fees |
| Tuition | $7,784.59 | $7,784.59 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $434.91 | $319.30 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 | $60.25 |
| Optional Student Union Fee | $20.00 | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Total | $8,303.50 | $8,164.14 |
*Plus Mandatory Health Insurance fee once per academic year: Fall start - $420 Winter start - $280 Summer start - $140
Equipment & Device Requirements
Semester 1
| Details and Specifications | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
| Laptop or Computer | Ability to run Microsoft programs | Enough memory to run programs - microsoft, canva |
Semester 2
| Details and Specifications | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
| Laptop or Computer | Ability to run the most current/latest Adobe creative suite | Enough memory to run Adobe creative suite and aligned latest operating system to run Adobe creative suite |
Additional Costs
$1,000 – textbooks and Globe & Mail subscription, portfolio case, student memberships in Canadian Public Relations Society, and International Association of Business Communicators.
Pathways
Humber offers a number of transfer options and pathway opportunities. Visit humber.ca/transferoptions or refer to the program page.
Contact Information
Program Specific Questions
Annette Borger-Snel, Program Co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 3887
annette.borger-snel@humber.ca
Admissions Questions
Domestic Students
416-675-5000
enquiry@humber.ca
International Students
Contact the International Centre
international.humber.ca/contact
1-416-675-5067
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
Select information only is included in this printable PDF. For complete program details, refer to humber.ca/programs.
Print/Download Date: April 12, 2021