Tuesday, January 21, 2014

First Of Its Kind Public Relations Management Program Offered at Centennial College

While Public Relations programs at university level are known for offering a solid amount of theory, it is possible to attend a Bachelor program that trains you for this field at college level. On top of gaining a Bachelor degree, this experience offers the added advantage of an ample amount of hands-on practice before entering the field.

Centennial College’s Bachelor of Public Relations Management is one such program. It takes four years to complete and is actually the first-of-its kind in Canada. The focus of this undertaking is on teaching students theory, principles and application of public relations, along with a solid foundation in business principles through 10 core business courses. The combination is well respected by employers in the field, which include: public relations agencies, corporate communications and investor relations departments, digital marketing companies, not-for-profit sector organizations, hospitals and healthcare organizations. Public Relations courses at Centennial College also include a strong focus on research, social and digital media and corporate communications. These additional topics are extremely relevant, as social and digital media are increasingly becoming avenues for public relations professionals.

The first few semesters of the offering focus on giving students a solid foundation before specialization. They include courses such as Introduction to Public Relations, Introduction to Media, Writing For Public Relations, Fundamentals of Research, and Internal Communications. In the fifth semester, courses begin to take on more specific angle and include: Advanced Social Media, Non-Profit Communications, Public Sector Communications, Advanced PR Writing, Issues Management and Crisis Communications, and more.
Another aspect that sets this offering apart from other PR programs in the Greater Toronto Area is that its final semester is completely devoted to a field placement. During this time, students spend time in the field working alongside professionals who may prove to be valuable contacts once they complete the offering. This also allows students to apply what they learn in their PR program Toronto-training to the real world.

To apply for this Public Relations Degree program, applicants should note that there are different requirements for high school and mature students. High school applicants must have at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent; at least six Grade 12U, Grade 12M, or OAC credits with an overall average of 65% or higher. Courses must include: English Grade 12U; final grade 70% or higher; and Math Grade 12U; final grade 65% or higher. Meanwhile, mature students must be 21 years of age or older by December 31 of the program year. These students must also provide transcripts showing English Grade 12U, OAC, or equivalent; Mathematics Grade 12U, 12M or equivalent; a complete academic history (transcripts or international evaluation); and a resume detailing work experience. All applicants must attend a mandatory program admission session during which they will submit a letter of intent explaining interest in he program and reason for applying, and complete a writing test.

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