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Program of Study - Media Relations and Strategic Communication Certificate

The Certificate in Media Relations and Strategic Communication is a 9 hour sequence of courses designed to provide the essential content and methods for professionals who need competencies in managing crisis communication, creating public events, mobilizing public opinions, communicating with elected and government officials, and developing workshops to help their clients attain goals. This certificate is ideal for the graduate student who wants to:

  • Develop, critique, and deliver effective media campaigns
  • Use targeted messages to accomplish strategic influence
  • Understand and appreciate the role media play in a variety of social, health, organizational, educational, and political settings.
  • Apply communication theories to enhance the effectiveness of media campaigns

This program may be completed as a cognate area of study for masters or doctoral students in a variety of areas including advertising, public relations, marketing, education, and health professions, or other related degree programs. Students who complete the Certificate in Media Relations and Strategic Communication may seek permission to apply the credit earned toward an MA degree In Communication.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the graduate certificate in media relations and strategic communication, prospective candidates must meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:

  1. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
  2. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
  3. Three  letters  of  recommendation  from  professional  or  academic sources.
  4. 500-word essay answering: “How will this certificate program benefit your professional development?”

Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (6 Credits)

COMM 6332Mass Media Campaigns

3
COMM 6356Seminar in Persuasion

3

Elective (3 Credits)

Chosen from the following:

COMM 6327Seminar in Health Communication

3
COMM 6351Communication Technology

3
COMM 6352Media, Race, and Ethnicity

3
COMM 6360Historical Studies in Mass Media

3
COMM 6329Special Topics in Communication

3
COMM 6329Special Topics in Communication

3
COMM 6329Special Topics in Communication

3
COMM 6329Special Topics in Communication

3

Notes:

1st COMM 6329: Crisis Communication

2nd COMM 6329: Political Communication

3rd COMM 6329: Marketing

4th COMM 6329: Advertising Strategies in Education

Total Credit Hours: 9