What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?

This professional certificate is intended for those wanting to pursue an entry level position in public relations or communications. You will gain skills valuable in the following roles to name a few: PR Associate, Communications Coordinator, and Media Relations Coordinator.

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Certificate, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Certificate. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Microsoft Public Relations and Communications Associate Professional Certificate

Launch your career in public relations. In this program, you’ll learn in-demand skills that will have you job-ready in 5 months or less. No degree or experience required.

Instructor: Microsoft

Included with Coursera Plus

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5 course series

Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise

4.7

(125 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

5 months at 6 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

5 course series

Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise

4.7

(125 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

5 months at 6 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

What you'll learn

Plan basic public relations and communications strategies and identify and evaluate metrics for strategy success
Create, organize, and manage various pieces of content for public relations campaigns
Develop a plan to cultivate and maintain relationships with media professionals and leverage relationships for crisis management and brand building
Develop strategies for effectively integrating multiple communication channels to deliver a cohesive message across a PR campaign

Overview

Are you ready to launch a dynamic career in Public Relations and Communications? This Professional Certificate Program is your gateway to the exciting world of PR, designed specifically for aspiring professionals eager to make a mark in the industry. This comprehensive program brought to you by Microsoft, comprising five courses, equips you with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in various PR roles such as PR Associate, Communications Coordinator, and Media Relations Coordinator.

You'll master the basics of Public Relations, strategic planning, and media relations while exploring the impact of Generative AI. Become proficient in content development and management, leveraging AI tools to enhance your creative process. Learn to handle crises with effective communication strategies, build strong media relationships, and integrate PR with marketing for cohesive campaigns. You'll learn how to use metrics to evaluate PR campaigns and craft comprehensive communication strategies. You will also discover how to conduct a comprehensive stakeholder analysis to identify and characterize different stakeholder groups involved in a PR campaign. Along the way, you will explore how to incorporate Microsoft’s tools, such as Copilot into your future work.

This program not only provides theoretical knowledge but also hands-on experience, preparing you for the real-world challenges of Public Relations. Enroll now and take the first step towards becoming a PR powerhouse!

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

159 practice exercises

Professional Certificate - 5 course series

Throughout the program, you’ll get to practice your new public relations and communications skills through hands-on projects including:

Developing basic PR strategies
Creating and managing content for a PR campaign
Formulating a crisis management communication plan
Designing an integrated PR and marketing campaign
Establishing a comprehensive stakeholder relations and reporting strategy

By the end, you’ll have a professional portfolio that you can show to prospective employers.

Introduction to Public Relations

Course 126 hours4.8 (108 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Describe public relations and it's role and importance across various organization types
Identify and evaluate essential components of public relations campaign strategy
Explain core media relations principles including how to craft a media pitch

Skills you'll gain

Media Relations, Public Relations, Target Audience, Generative AI Agents, Communication Planning, Strategic Communication, Generative AI, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Marketing and Public Relations, Content Creation, Goal Setting, Performance Metric, and Corporate Communications

Content Development and Management

Course 234 hours4.7 (29 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Distinguish different types of PR content based on their purpose and function within a PR campaign
Apply editing and proofreading best practices to ensure the quality and effectiveness of PR content
Develop strategies for organizing and managing various types of PR content efficiently
Effectively plan and schedule PR campaign content for optimal impact using a content calendar that is aligned with a PR strategy

Skills you'll gain

Content Management, Content Creation, Content Development and Management, Content Strategy, Content Management Systems, Workflow Management, Proofreading, Public Relations, Web Content, Social Media Content, Media and Communications, Blogs, Content Marketing, Writing and Editing, AI Product Strategy, Press Releases, Promotions and Campaigns, Earned Media, Marketing and Public Relations, and Generative AI Agents

Media Relations and Crisis Management

Course 328 hours4.7 (24 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

The core principles and strategies for effective crisis communication for different types of crises
How to initiate and maintain beneficial relationships with various media outlets and how to leverage those relationships in times of crisis
How to develop a crisis communication plan that integrates media relations and AI capabilities for both internal and external communication

Skills you'll gain

Crisis Management, Stakeholder Communications, Media Relations, Communication Planning, Media Strategy, Real Time Data, Internal Communications, Communication Strategies, Public Relations, Corporate Communications, AI Product Strategy, and Stakeholder Analysis

Marketing, Communication, and PR

Course 428 hours4.8 (27 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Develop strategies for integrating multiple communication channels to deliver a cohesive and effective campaign
Craft compelling PR messages with powerful storytelling and tailor these messages to various PR scenarios
Enhance the effectiveness of communication and storytelling strategies with AI tools
Create a comprehensive blueprint for effective integrated campaigns while streamlining your PR processes

Skills you'll gain

Storytelling, Integrated Marketing Communications, Public Relations, Marketing Communications, AI Personalization, Marketing Analytics, Content Creation, Target Audience, Digital Media Strategy, Campaign Management, Marketing and Public Relations, Ethical Standards And Conduct, and Strategic Communication

Stakeholder Relations and Reporting

Course 522 hours4.7 (26 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify key stakeholders and their potential impact and influence in various PR scenarios
Analyze key metrics to assemble basic reports that summarize PR campaign results
Develop a strategic plan for communication with community and government stakeholders that integrates their specific concerns
Implement strategies for stakeholder engagement and the integration of their feedback through a PR campaign

Skills you'll gain

Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Communication, Report Writing, Stakeholder Management, Stakeholder Communications, Data Visualization, Performance Reporting, Data Storytelling, Marketing Effectiveness, Communication Planning, Performance Metric, Community Outreach, Relationship Building, Public Affairs, Presentations, Public Relations, and Stakeholder Analysis

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Get a head start on your degree

When you complete this Professional Certificate, you may be able to have your learning recognized for credit if you are admitted and enroll in one of the following online degree programs.¹

This Professional Certificate has ACE® recommendation. It is eligible for college credit at participating U.S. colleges and universities. Note: The decision to accept specific credit recommendations is up to each institution.

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