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Public Relations

What is PR? Public relations is about the strategic management of relationships between an organization and its diverse audiences through the use of communication. Strong negotiation tactics, writing skills, leadership techniques and communication strategies can help you shape public perception, and the reputation of your organization. In our PR programs and courses, you will gain an increased awareness of current events and the impact on global issues, improve your critical thinking and organizational skills, and gain confidence in how to implement effective approaches and communication strategies. 

Public Relations programs

Recognized by the Canadian Public Relations Society, the Diploma in Public Relations explores the history, evolution and theory of the public relations industry. You will learn about the different aspects of PR including digital communication, issues and crisis management, and strategic methods to manage public relations and communication planning. Offered exclusively online, you can take the program part-time while you work, or choose the fast-track option to progress through the program quicker.

The Crisis Communication for Public Relations Professionals online micro-certificate is designed for communicators seeking to enhance their skills and expertise to develop, implement and assess robust crisis communication plans.  Exploring crisis communication theories and real-world case studies, you will learn to navigate the complexities of crisis preparation, craft narratives for tumultuous times, ready spokespersons, effectively engage with media and social platforms, and navigate through the post-crisis landscapes. 

The Skill Building for Public Relations is designed for new practitioners who want to boost their confidence, credibility and skills in the field of public relations. Over 12 weeks, learners will explore the fundamentals of public relations, such as writing, social media, communications planning, media relations, leadership and more, through hands-on activities, practical tools and templates, and real-world examples. Upon completion, learners will possess job-ready skills and a deeper understanding of their career path within the public relations profession.

Public Relations courses

Some courses under this topic require acceptance into the Diploma in Public Relations. Please refer to individual course pages for details. 

Courses open for registration

Business Communication

Effective communication skills can help you go places. This versatile business program provides practical information and easily applied strategies to help you become a confident communicator in any industry.
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Crisis Communication for Public Relations Professionals

The online Crisis Communication for Public Relations Professionals micro-certificate gives you the expertise to develop, implement and evaluate effective crisis communication plans for your organization. You will emerge as a resilient communication, armed with the knowledge and skills to navigate a crisis.
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Public Relations

The online Public Relations diploma program gives you the theory, skills and credential you need to set yourself apart in the competitive public relations and communication industry. This program is beneficial to those working in the public or private sector, and can be an excellent professional development option for virtually any career level.
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Skill Building for Public Relations

This program will give you job-ready skills for a public relations profession. You will explore the fundamentals including public relations writing, social media, communications planning, media relations, leadership and more.
View program


Fraud within us

In an ocean of information polluted with misinformation, questioning everything becomes paramount. Fraud, whether intentional or unintentional, permeates every sector of society, from finance to academia, from politics to personal beliefs.

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Public Relations student is awarded the 2023 Denis Racine Bursary

Daniel Fainstein, a current student in the Diploma in Public Relations (PR) program with Continuing Studies at UVic, was recently awarded the 2023 Denis Racine Bursary.

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Navigating a career transformation through public relations

Alanna is a recent graduate of a Diploma in Public Relations with Continuing Studies at the University of Victoria. We asked her a few questions about her experience in the PR program here at Continuing Studies at UVic.

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Leading today’s workforce

A recent study by the Harvard Business Review shows that "quiet quitting" is not about the work ethic of individual employees, but a response to the relationship (or lack thereof) with their employers. Leaders in today's workplaces must work harder than ever to maintain an engaged team, and traditional leadership skills are no longer enough.

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Are soft skills the boost your resume needs?

Filling your resume with a long list of technical skills is no longer enough to impress potential employers. Instead, soft skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and time management have become just as important to make your resume stand out amongst a pile of applicants.

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Gaining patience and perspective

Sports enthusiast Sarah MacNeil found herself working in the field of recreation from 2012 to 2017. It seemed to make the most sense for her at the time after getting an undergraduate degree in recreation management and with her diverse background in sports. 

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Why study public relations?

Communication skills add value to individuals consuming and disseminating messages; when individuals become better communicators, they become better in all areas of decision-making.

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Starting your new PR career with "style"

As a new public relations (PR) graduate, your first position with an organization may include the responsibility of reviewer and editor. In this role, you’ll be responsible to provide editorial support for all corporate material before it is published, including reports, presentations, letters, etc.

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Q&A with Allison Boyd – Public Relations Graduate

Allison Boyd is a recent graduate of the Public Relations diploma program. We asked her a few questions about her experience in the PR program here at Continuing Studies at UVic.

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Q&A with Paula Duncan – Public Relations Graduate

Paula Duncan is a recent graduate of the Public Relations diploma program. We asked her a few questions about her experience in the PR program here at Continuing Studies at UVic.

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Q&A with Kate McKenna – Public Relations Student

Kate McKenna is a recent graduate of the Public Relations diploma program and winner of the CPRS/CISION 2020 Student Excellence Award. We asked her a few questions about her experience in the PR program here at Continuing Studies at UVic.

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Public Relations Diploma Program 2019 Newsletter

Read articles by Public Relations instructors and graduates and find out important PR program news.

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Digital Storytelling In PR

In PR, storytelling is important because it allows us to connect with our audience and potentially influence their emotions and ideas. A good story is more persuasive than purely factual content because stories are engaging; listeners and readers always find ways to relate to and empathize with characters in a story.

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Leading through crisis: seven rules for effective PR communication

A public crisis places tremendous pressure on nearly all internal structures of an organization. Being prepared with some key guiding principles in hand will empower you to show leadership exactly when it is most crucial, but also the most dangerous. 

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Avoid the 5 common pitfalls of emerging leaders

When you land in your first leadership role, you will likely find yourself tempted by some of the common snares that can befall an emerging leader. In this article we explore five of the most common mistakes made by emerging leaders. 

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PR graduate Sandra Richardson is awarded honorary degree

The weeks leading up to the convocation ceremonies are always exciting at Continuing Studies at UVic, as we celebrate the accomplishments of our many graduates.

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What is Influencer Marketing?

Influencer marketing has exploded over the last couple of years. If you are not familiar with this term, it is basically about promoting your brand through a selection of influencers, hoping that these influencers will in turn promote it to their own extensive networks. Sounds like a quick and simple way to reach a wide and targeted audience, right? The catch is in doing it properly. 

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The Art of Persuasion

Would you like to have more influence in your professional or personal life and impress others with the merits of your ideas?  Are you ready to master the art of persuasion?  How many times have you presented an idea in a team meeting only to have your idea fall flat? Have you ever pitched an idea to your boss and got a blank stare?

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Public Relations: A Natural Fit for an Outgoing and Communicative Personality

Public Relations really chose me more than I chose it. Throughout my life I’ve always been an outgoing and gregarious person who enjoys bringing diverse personalities together. From a career perspective I’ve naturally gravitated to roles that allow me to interact with the public and work with people to achieve mutual understanding and consensus.

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On Intellectual Fraud

Fraud has many roots, but one of them stems from weakened minds nurtured by the fraudulent use of information. Buying-in to fraudulent facts, data, and reason at any level has dire consequences.

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Graduate Spotlight: Lori Elder

My career in communications began in 1987 upon graduation from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. I graduated with a degree in communications and was lucky enough to secure a coveted internship at KATU Channel 2 (an ABC affiliate) working as assistant producer of a local children's television show.

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Susy Torres, Program Assistant
Tel 250-721-6129
Email prprogram@uvic.ca