PRP260
External Relations and Community Engagement
Develop the unique skillset needed for a PR career in government relations or community engagement.
In this course, you’ll learn to build strong relationships with governments, communities and interest holders to foster trust, influence policy and drive meaningful change. You’ll examine tools and strategies that support relationship-building, public participation, and community decision-making, such as a community engagement plan, press release and engagement brief. You’ll also draw on practical frameworks—such as the IAP2 public participation spectrum, Mendelow’s Matrix, and IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) principles—to gain the skills needed to engage diverse audiences and manage complex relationships.
Whether you’re just entering the field or looking to grow your impact, this course will prepare you to lead strategic, socially responsible communication efforts that create meaningful, long-term outcomes.
The final assignment for this course is due one week after the course ends.
Overview
Location: Online
Format: Self-paced within deadlines set by instructor
Duration: 5 weeks
Tuition: $595
Can be applied to:
Public Relations Certificate
Automatically applies to:
External Communication Microcertificate
Overview
Location: Online
Format: Self-paced within deadlines set by instructor
Duration: 5 weeks
Tuition: $595
Can be applied to:
Public Relations Certificate
Automatically applies to:
External Communication Microcertificate
Upcoming Offerings
- Thu, Nov 5 - Wed, Dec 9 (self-paced within deadlines)
- Thu, Feb 11 - Wed, Mar 17 (self-paced within deadlines)
- Thu, Jun 10 - Wed, Jul 14 (self-paced within deadlines)
What you will learn
After completing this course, you’ll be able to do the following:
- Write press releases by applying various communication models
- Apply strategic communications skills to advocate for policy change
- Engage with communities by applying a public participation spectrum framework
- Evaluate the goals of public participation for a public engagement process
- Develop inclusive and equitable community engagement event plans
How you will learn and be evaluated
- Prepare to spend 6–10 hours per week on coursework
- Expect readings and other assignments on a weekly basis
- Plan to access the course at least once every few days to keep up with your work and class discussions
You will be evaluated on:
- Assignments
- Participation in online discussions
Learning Materials
No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.
Technical Requirements
For online courses, you will need a computer with audio and microphone that is connected to the internet. Canvas is the online system that will be used for the course. For more information and online support, visit Online Learning.
English Language Requirements
To succeed in this course, you will need an advanced level of written and spoken English. If you are unsure whether your English language skills are sufficient, we recommend you complete the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with the following minimums:
- Overall band score minimum 6.5
- No band below 6.0
- Writing band score minimum 8.0
Please note we can’t refund your registration fees after the course start date if you find your English language skills are not adequate.
If you have questions or concerns about your English language proficiency, we encourage you to contact your local IELTS Test Centre.