Public Relations - Corporate Communications - 766
OSAP Eligible
Overview
Note: Public Relations - Corporate Communications (766) was formerly named Public Relations (166).
A rewarding education through Mohawk College’s Public Relations – Corporate Communications program sets you up for a rewarding career!
Overview
The Mohawk College Public Relations – Corporate Communications graduate certificate program has established itself as a leader in innovative training employers look for from our skilled grads. Highly sought-after grads find employment across a broad spectrum of industries.
Students leverage learning and become adept in managing communications in a fast-paced digital online global society. Learn to maintain open and effective communications between corporations, governments, organizations, and their publics. Effective organizational communication requires highly trained public relations – corporate communications professionals.
In two semesters you will:
- Build a network of leading industry professionals
- Fast track your education through our flexible 140-hour field placement partnership program, learning and developing your skills in a workplace setting – taken anytime during both semesters
- Gain invaluable hands-on experience in:
- social media and digital communications
- digital publishing
- media relations management
- issues and crisis communication
- industry ethics and communications law
- public relations event planning and execution, and more!
-
Discover learning in an actual work environment, contributing to team efforts on real world projects, by engaging with actual clients through our in-house full-service communications agency – The Agency
-
Develop an industry ready professional portfolio of the work you create
Program Highlights
Build your own public relations – corporate communications industry network through a variety of activities, starting before you even take your first class:
- Day-One Industry Mixer - Meet and mingle with PR/communications professionals
- Guest speaker series – Gain insights from award winning, highly regarded industry professionals in the classroom
- Informational interviews – Visit and meet one-on-one with industry professionals as you begin planning your career goals
- Mock job interviews – Visit an industry professional and practice your interviewing skills without the pressure of landing the job
- Become a student member with the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) – the two largest industry associations for PR practitioners and communicators in Canada
What You'll Learn
- Formulate PR strategies and execute tactics in corporate and not-for-profit communications.
- Learn to use social and digital media in PR planning and execution.
- Explore media relations, electronic publishing, crisis communications and advertising.
- Acquire expertise in PR analysis and planning.
- Write professional-level public relations materials.
- Design visually creative materials to meet PR objectives.
- Plan and execute an event.
- Develop a fundraising plan.
Program Advisory Committee (2022-2025)
Program content is enhanced through consultation with industry professionals sitting on our Program Advisory Committee:
- Maria Babbage – Director, Corporate Communications, Joseph Brant Hospital
- Jennifer Candlish – Communications Director, Jan Kelley
- Julie De Liberato – Director of Marketing and Communications, Ovarian Cancer Canada
- Candace Lee Lickers – Manager Corporate Communications, Indigenous Communications, BMO Financial Group
- Mary Fearson – Founder/President, OnPrpose Inc.
- Oindrila Harza – Manager, Content and Media Strategy, Corporate and Public Affairs, TD Bank
- Alexandra Pecoski Carson – Vice President, Citizen Relations International
- Kalvin Reid – Director of Public Relations, Enterprise Canada
- Jay Robb – Communications Manager, McMaster University, Faculty of Science
- Matt Warner – Manager, Internal Communications, Green Shield Canada
- Kim Zarzuela – Communications Officer, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
Program Length
1 academic year (period of 8 months – 3 days per week, each semester)
View the Exceptions Calendar for start dates and semester break information.
Admission
Admission
- University Degree or College Diploma (two-year or longer) in a related area of study (as determined by the College), OR an acceptable combination of related work experience and postsecondary education (as determined by the College)
- Postsecondary transcripts, indicating courses completed to date, must be submitted at the time of application
-
Proof of English proficiency for applicants where English is not their first language must be submitted to Ontario Colleges
Language Requirements for Applicants with English as a Second Language:
- IELTS Academic overall band of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
- TOEFL iBT 88
- CAEL 70, no sub-test band score less than 60
- PTE Academic 58
- Mohawk College English Language Test (Accuplacer: Assessment for Success) aligned with CAEL Band
- Successful completion of the GAS-English for Academic Purposes (478 or 278) program. Placement in the GAS-EAP program is determined by scores on an in-house English language test or TOEFL or IELTS
Brock University and Mohawk College collaboration
Brock University students can complete both a Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication Studies, or Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication Studies at Brock, and a Public Relations Graduate Certificate at Mohawk in just 4 years of study. View Mohawk's Credit Transfer Agreements.
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and Fees
2024 - 2025 Domestic Tuition and Fees
| Description | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
Compulsory Ancillary Fees | $832.02 | $785.16 |
| Co-op Fees | N/A | N/A |
Compulsory Program Fees | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Domestic Tuition | $3,720.60 | $3,720.60 |
| Total Domestic Charges Per Semester | $4,552.62 | $4,505.76 |
| Total 1st Year Fees | $9,058.38 | |
Above fees based on full-time September program start date. Contact Student Services to confirm fees for other start dates or semesters.
- Full Cost Breakdown
- Explore payment options
- Book costs for your program can be found through the Campus Store
2024 - 2025 International Tuition and Fees
| Description | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Tuition & Ancillary Fee | $9,000.00 | $9,000.00 |
| Co-op Fees | N/A | N/A |
Program Compulsory Fees | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| International Tax Recovery | $450.00 | $375.00 |
| Total International Charges Per Semester | $9,450.00 | $9,375.00 |
| Total 1st Year Fees | $18,825.00 | |
If you pay by wire transfer, please note your bank might charge you a fee to transfer money. Make sure your transfer includes the Mohawk payment and the wire transfer fee. This applies to each wire transfer payment you make.
Additional Information
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
When it comes to paying for your education, investing in your future can be more affordable than you think. A Mohawk education is one of the most cost-effective means of acquiring the skills and knowledge you need to have a prosperous and rewarding career.
As you start on your chosen career path, it's important to have a realistic set of expectations regarding the expenses associated with attending college. In addition to your tuition fees, you will also need to budget for books, supplies, housing, and other related living expenses. You may be able to supplement your income and savings with scholarships, bursaries, or loans. It pays to do some research into what types of financial assistance you may qualify for.
Available Financial Assistance Resources:
- OSAP Eligible. Learn about Ontario Student Assistance Program - OSAP (domestic students only)
- Working on Campus
- Additional Sources of Funding
- Financial Assistance Home Page
Apply for Awards:
By submitting a Scholarships and Bursaries Application every semester, students have access to over $3 million in Mohawk College scholarships, bursaries and Ministry-partnered funding to help meet their financial needs.
Financial Literacy and Money Coaching:
Whether saving for school, sticking to a budget, or planning for a major purchase, financial literacy affects us all. That's why Mo' Money is committed to helping our students improve their money skills and become more confident with their money.
- One-on-One Money Counselling
- Complete the free online Money Matters Module to earn Co-Curricular Credit!
- Financial Resources and Calculators
- Events and Workshops
Program of Studies
Course Overview & Descriptions
Click on the course title for a course description.
Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning
How you'll gain skills
- Client and community-based projects in The Agency, Mohawk’s student-run communications agency.
- Experience interactive Simulations.
- Industry-based field placement in a public relations or communications setting.
- Explore academic content through field trips and site visits.
To learn more, please visit the Centre for Experiential Learning.
Field Placement
A field placement is intended to give students hands-on experience in the workplace. After successful completion of all required courses, students complete a mandatory 140-hour placement in their final semester. The successful completion of the field placement is required for graduation. Please visit the Centre for Experiential Learning for more information on the field placement for this program.
The Agency
The Agency is an experiential learning facility operating within the McKeil School of Business at Mohawk College. Students from a variety of programs including Advertising, Public Relations - Corporate Communications, Marketing, Graphics and Broadcast Media collaborate in developing real world marketing and communications solutions for selected non-profit organizations and start-up companies in the greater Hamilton area.
All projects with our clients/partners are integrated into the curriculum and students are marked on what they do. They work under close faculty supervision as they develop effective marketing communications solutions relevant to meeting clear client objectives.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes, often referred to as ‘Program Standards', set out the essential learning that a student must achieve before being deemed ready to graduate.
In many cases these program learning outcomes were developed by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) in consultation with employers and educators who are experts in the program field. To ensure the outcomes remain current and in line with industry needs, we invite our employers, graduates working in the field and current students to re-examine and update them during regular, ongoing program review focus groups.
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities
Your future career options
- Public Relations and Corporate Communications
- Social Media and Digital Communications
- Media Relations
- Community Relations
- Public Affairs
- Event Management
Where you could work includes:
- Corporations
- Professional Organizations and Societies
- Government - Local, Municipal and Federal
- Other Not-For-Profits such as Education, Healthcare, Religious Organizations, Police, Libraries
- Public Relations – Communications Agencies
- Advertising/Marketing/ Promotional Agencies
- Sports and entertainment
- Fashion and lifestyle
- Event management
Opportunities for students and grads
- Pursue student memberships with the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
Educational Pathways
Educational Pathways
If you've successfully taken a course at another post-secondary institution, you may be able to earn course exemptions toward your credential here at Mohawk.
If you have successfully completed one of the following programs at Mohawk, you may be eligible to receive transfer credit in this program.
Transfer from
You can transfer to the Public Relations - Corporate Communications - 766 from the following programs:
Advertising and Marketing Communications Management
Broadcasting - Television and Communications Media
Broadcasting - Radio & Creative Content
Business - Marketing
International Business Management - Product Management
Receiving Program
Public Relations - Corporate Communications
Credit transfer agreements have been arranged to make it easier for students to move from Mohawk to another institution.
Transfer From Public Relations - Corporate Communications To
Brock University
Communication Studies
1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way
St.Catharines ON L2S 3A1
Canada
Robert Gordon University
MSc Corporate Communications and Public Relations
Garthdee House, Garthdee Road
Garthdee/Aberdeen
AB10 7QB
United Kingdom
Queen Margaret University
MSc Strategic Communications and Public Relations
Queen Margaret University
Edinburgh
EH21 6UU
United Kingdom
Mohawk College makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of each transfer opportunity. Please note that changes may occur in program offerings, admission requirements, and transfer credits granted by the receiving institutions. We advise all students to check with the receiving institution directly for the most up-to-date information.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Search ONTransfer.ca for more pathways with Ontario public colleges and universities.
Mohawk College makes no warranty or endorsement of material contained within links to external websites, nor does the College assume any responsibility for the linked website or its contents.
Tech Requirements
Tech requirements
The Public Relations program has a mandatory laptop requirement. All students are required to have a laptop that is capable of effectively running the software packages that we use for instruction. This provides our students with 24/7 access to industry-relevant production tools and learning resources.
The requirement of an approved media capable laptop is foundational to our learning structure and is necessary upon program entry. We have updated our policy to include laptops capable of meeting our required software specifications.
Mohawk College currently has a partnership agreement with Dell. To receive educational discounts when purchasing your new laptop, please visit the Mohawk Custom Online Store. If you already own a laptop which meets our minimum standard necessary to run the required software, a new purchase will not be required.
To Access Mohawk’s Custom Online Store:
- Login to your MyMohawk account with your MohawkID and password.
- Click on the Technology Solutions tab.
- Navigate to the Computer Store and click “Online Dell Store.”
- Once you arrive at the Mohawk College Discount Store webpage, select “Shop Your Standard Configuration” to see the list of laptops we recommend for this program.
Minimum (Better) and Recommended (Best) Workstation Laptop configurations:
Windows Workstation
- OS: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel 12th Gen i7 or better
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 3050 or better
- RAM: 16GB or greater (32GB recommended)
- Internal storage: 500GB or greater SSD
- Recommended machine: Dell Inspiron 16 Plus (7630) or Dell XPS (9530)
Note: Chromebook devices will not be able to run the required professional media-industry software that our students will use regularly during each semester of the Public Relations program. Apple laptops are not recommended as they are not a public relations industry standard, but will work if it can run the required software.
Software Requirements
Adobe Creative Cloud: A monthly subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud can be purchased from the Adobe Creative Cloud website.
- Microsoft Office: Available with your Microsoft 365 account.
- Microsoft Publisher: Available for download with your Microsoft 365 account.
- Microsoft Project: Available for download with your Microsoft 365 account.
Hardware
Personal External Storage:
- Minimum capacity: 1TB
- Technology: solid-state drive (SSD)
- Read/Write Speeds: approximately 500MB/second or greater (USB 3.1 or better)
- Connector: USB-A or USB-C connector as required to interface with your laptop
- External mouse
Contact Us
Contact us
Domestic Canadian Students
Contact Student Recruitment
Haven’t applied yet and have questions?
Contact our Student Recruitment team for information on programs, how to apply, and more.
Contact Admissions
Contact our Admissions advisors for help with your application.
Contact Admissions
Phone: 1-844-767-6871
International Students
Contact International Student Recruitment
Contact our International Student Recruitment team for information on programs, how to apply, and student life.
Contact International
Email: intl.representatives@mohawkcollege.ca
Phone: 1-905-575-2254
Toll free phone numbers:
For general questions: 1-888-Mohawk9 (1-888-664-2959)
North China: 10-800-714-2521
South China: 10-800-140-2541
Brazil: 0800-022-7408
Philippines: 180011102544
Contact International Admissions
Contact our Admissions advisors for help with your application.
Contact International Admissions
Phone: 1-905-575-2254
*Not all programs are international eligible. Please see our programs available for international students.
Accessible Learning Services
Are you a student with a confirmed or suspected disability? Visit our Accessible Learning Services website to discover how we can help you.
Do you have a project for our students?
If you or your organization has a marketing communications project that might be suitable for our students, please apply below. We will respond to you as soon as we can. Please note that we do not accept applications made directly to faculty or program coordinators. If you have any questions please contact theagency@mohawkcollege.ca
Program Coordinator
Tim Tuck
Canadian Domestic Students
International Students
Create your personalized viewbook
Build (and share) your online Mohawk College experience.
Stay Connected!
Join our email list to receive college and program updates, upcoming events and stories about our students!
Explore more
Our Grads Stand Out – Our Grads Are Highly Sought
- Winning CPRS “Student Awards of Excellence” and “Student Project Awards”
- Working in healthcare, education, sports, entertainment, government, corporate, not-for-profit, and PR/Communications agencies
In the News
Public Relations Graduate Certificate student, Nicole Moll, discusses why she chose to further her studies at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh and pursue an MSc in Strategic Communication and Public Relations.
Student Experiences and Testimonials 2020-21
We're here to help
We’re here for you to support applications and admissions by providing online and virtual service.
Applied and have questions?
The admissions team is available to help, you can contact them via Admissions or by phone at 1-844-767-6871.
Haven’t applied and need help?
Contact us or phone 1-844-767-6871.
Take a virtual campus tour
Explore Mohawk College from the comfort of home! Our virtual campus tours provide a guided visit of our buildings, labs, services, classrooms and athletic and recreation centre.
Program delivery
Learn about program delivery terms.
Please note: in-person, virtual, and hybrid classes vary according to the program and some programs may be in-person only. Refer to the Program Overview for more information.
