This course is part of the Introduction to Public Relations and the Media Specialization

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stars
230 ratings

Erin Willis

7,751 already enrolled

Offered By

Introduction to Public Relations and the Media SpecializationUniversity of Colorado Boulder

About this Course

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In this course, learners are exposed to an overview of public relations principles and theories relevant to practice. You will explore the field, including the origin and trends affecting the future of the industry as well as how to land a job in public relations. This course provides a broad overview of working in public relations and how different tenets of persuasion are used in practice. The course also addresses ethical implications of public relations.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

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Course 1 of 3 in the

Introduction to Public Relations and the Media Specialization

Beginner Level

No previous background knowledge is required.

Approx. 6 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Define and describe the practice of public relations and how it differs from related fields like advertising and marketing.
Understand how mass media works and how news is produced, and where public relations fits into the process.
Identify target audiences and the objectives for persuasive communication.
Create public relations tools for practice, and understand how to implement them into daily use.

Skills you will gain

Press Release
Public Relations
Branding
Influencers

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 1 of 3 in the

Introduction to Public Relations and the Media Specialization

Beginner Level

No previous background knowledge is required.

Approx. 6 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.78/5 (89 Ratings)

Erin Willis

Associate Professor

College of Media, Communication and Information

9,077 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Defining Public Relations

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 45 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

6 videos

Specialization Introduction1mIntroduction to Defining the Public Relations Industry1mIntroduction to Week 143sBrief History and Development of the Field of Public Relations18mPublic Relations Society of America12mScholars’ Point-of-View10m

3 readings

The Museum of Public Relations, PR Timeline, and Shelly Spector Podcast10mAbout Public Relations and Public Relations Defined10mThe Future of Public Relations (Forbes)10m

1 practice exercise

What is public relations?30m

Week2

Week 2

2 hours to complete

The 4-Step Process in Public Relations

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 43 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Week3

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Corporate Social Responsibility

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 33 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

Week4

Week 4

1 hour to complete

Working in Public Relations

1 hour to complete

5 videos (Total 30 min)

Reviews

4.7

46 reviews

5 stars
78.96%
4 stars
13.73%
3 stars
5.15%
2 stars
0.85%
1 star
1.28%

TOP REVIEWS FROM PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

by BAFeb 28, 2023

I had such an amzing time while learning on this course. Thank you

by SSJan 27, 2022

Public Relations history to present was briefly covered. But the examples taken were based from U.S. so could relate a little less.

by FDJun 14, 2022

EXCELLENT IVE GOT TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO IMPROVE ON PR STRATEGICS AND SKILLS

by HFOct 18, 2022

I loved the videos, the discussion prompts were aligned with course content, and the examples used were digestable.

View all reviews

About the Introduction to Public Relations and the Media Specialization

This specialization is ideal for learners interested in how to practice public relations and branding communication. You will learn how to use different tools to manage your company’s reputation. You will learn about different forms of media, how to work with journalists, and how to plan strategic communication to enhance your company. And you will emerge from this specialization with several portfolio pieces, including a media contact list, press release, pitch, and crisis communication plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Principles of Public Relations

About this Course

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