Overview
The Marketing Management - Public Relations Associate Certificate prepares students for a dynamic PR career across various sectors. Acquire skills in communication projects, public affairs, marketing communications, and sales promotions, with the option to complete the program in as little as 3 months.
Public relations professionals work in almost every industry around the globe, including government agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations. And today, more organizations than ever before recognize the benefit in maintaining professional public relations. Through the BCIT Public Relations associate certificate program, you can prepare for a challenging and rewarding career with employment potential in fundraising, legislative lobbying, cable TV, and many other areas.
This specialized program was developed to give you the essential skills you need in public relations in a flexible format. That means that you’ll learn to work on diverse communications projects, public affairs, marketing communications, sales promotions, and be ready to begin or advance your career in as little as 3 months.
About the program
- Can take this program completely online
- Option to complete in 3 months
- Specialized package for students with or without prior experience looking to specialize in PR
Interested in how this program prepares you for your career in public relations? Find out in the Program Details.
Who should complete the Public Relations Associate Certificate?
This program might be right for you if:
- You have strong written and oral communication skills
- You work effectively in a team
- You enjoy creative challenges
- You want to specialize your career in public relations, whether you have marketing experience or not
If this sounds like you, visit the Entry Requirements page to learn more!
What grads can do
Because public relations is a key component of almost every organization, including business, fundraising, and government, you’ll have options for employment in a variety of industries and locations. By focusing intently on the key concepts in public relations, you’ll be prepared with the skills and confidence to begin or advance a successful career.
In addition to being prepared for the workplace with job-relevant skills, you’ll also have the option to continue your education for more advanced training in other BCIT programs that can lead to additional opportunities.
To learn more about the exciting opportunities available to you, visit the Graduating and Jobs page.
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Entrance Requirements
About Flexible Learning
Take a single course or work towards a credential at your own pace.
Part-time courses are offered in various scheduling formats, including at night or on weekends, flexible daytime delivery, or you can opt for distance or online learning. If you meet the prerequisites and there’s space available, you can register for a course immediately. Courses are offered in each of three terms: Fall (September), Winter (January), and Spring/Summer (April).
To earn your credential, you must complete a Part-time Program Declaration Request. Applications are processed throughout the year.
Application processing
This program is open to declarations beginning:
- February 1st* for the January intake
- May 1st* for the April intake
- October 1st* for the September intake
Entrance requirements
Declarations submitted for program intakes beginning April 1, 2025 or later will be evaluated using the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement below.
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Program declaration
Declaring your Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) program ensures that BCIT is aware of your intent to complete a program as it is currently outlined and provides you the opportunity to apply for transfer credit.
To submit your declaration:
- Answer all questions completely.
- If required, convert transcripts and documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Declare Now
Upon approval, a program plan letter will be sent to you confirming your program of study. Please allow approximately eight weeks for processing.
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
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Costs & Supplies
Bring your own device
Most courses and programs in the School of Business + Media are BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). Please ensure you bring a laptop to every class. Plug-in outlets will be provided at most stations in classrooms, but not in all classrooms, so please ensure you have at least 2 hours of battery life available at the beginning of each class. Check the following recommended computer requirements prior to the start of class. If a program or course does not require you to provide your own device, that information will be provided by your instructor or indicated in the course outline.
For online classes, it is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content.
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information.
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Courses
Important updates to Flexible Learning
English Requirement: Find out more.
These courses are designed to give you a fast track to a career in public relations. With the option to take a few elective courses to suit your individual career goals and interests, you’ll focus specifically on the essential fundamentals of public relations to get your skills job-ready as quickly as possible.
Please note: part-time programs and courses are open enrolment and although we make every effort to accommodate demand, course registration cannot be guaranteed in every semester. High demand courses fill quickly and may result in students unable to register for a course that semester. Courses may also be cancelled due to low enrolment.
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
1. Required Courses: | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
MKTG 1019 | Media Relations | 3.0 | |
MKTG 1102 | Essentials of Marketing | 3.0 | |
MKTG 1352 | Digital Marketing | 3.0 | |
MKTG 3321 | Public Relations | 3.0 | |
MKTG 3325 | Consumer Behaviour | 3.0 | |
2. Complete 6.0 credits from the following list of electives: | Credits | ||
MKTG 1126 | Live Entertainment Events and Festivals | 3.0 | |
MKTG 1146 | Introduction to Sustainable Marketing | 3.0 | |
MKTG 1323 | Effective Presentation Skills | 3.0 | |
MKTG 1550 | Social Media Essentials | 3.0 | |
MKTG 1552 | Social Media Strategies | 3.0 | |
MKTG 2202 | Introduction to Marketing Communications | 4.0 | |
MKTG 2352 | Content Planning | 4.0 | |
MKTG 2452 | Search Engine Marketing: SEO and Paid Search | 3.0 | |
MKTG 2552 | YouTube Marketing | 3.0 | |
MKTG 2909 | Fundamentals of Marketing Research | 3.0 | |
MKTG 3554 | Brand Strategy | 3.0 | |
Total Credits: | 21.0 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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Program Details
This program is designed to give you a fast track to a career in public relations. The course topics have been created specifically to benefit both students without any post-secondary education or experience and also students who have academic credentials such as degrees or diplomas in non-marketing areas and wish to gain additional certification and job-related skills.
In this program, you’ll work closely with industry professionals to develop a strong understanding of public relations and how you can use it in your own career. Some of your courses include digital branding, social media, effective public speaking, media relations, and live entertainment.
By earning your associate certificate at BCIT, you’ll be earning the necessary skills public relations employers in government, corporations, and fundraisers are looking for.
Program delivery
Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
Program location
Courses may be offered at the following locations:
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
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Graduating & Jobs
By earning your associate certificate, you’ll have an enticing qualification to include on your resume and the skills and confidence to deliver on the promise that holds to your future employers. Your experience at BCIT with practical knowledge for the workplace prepares you both for a new career and future growth and achievement.
Some opportunities include:
- Public Relations Assistant
- Marketing Coordinator
- PR Coordinator
- Junior Copywriter
- Public Affairs Consultant
You may choose to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation, or you might also consider continuing your education for even more advanced skills and access to more career options. The course credits you earn in this program may be transferrable to other programs within the BCIT Marketing Management department.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
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Accelerated Learning Options
Accelerated Learning provides an opportunity for students to complete their Associate Certificate in a shorter period of time.
Students will advance their knowledge in rapidly changing topics, such as Digital Marketing, Sustainable Event Management, or one of several other programs with the ultimate goal of being job-ready in only three months. To complete a program in a single term, students are expected to immerse themselves fully in their course work, devoting 100% of their time to learning, and should have a minimum C+ in English 12 to take part in this option. We will work with you to create a program that suits your personal schedule, be that one course per term, two or more, or the entire program.
Please email Candace Marrington at candace_marrington@bcit.ca to determine if Accelerated Learning is right for you.
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Contact Us
If you have questions that you could not find the answer to online, or if you require further assistance, please contact us: mktgpts@bcit.ca.
Candace Marrington – Student Inquiries
Program Assistant
Tel: 604-432-8723
Email: Candace_Marrington@bcit.ca
Tracey Renzullo
Flexible Learning Program Head
Tel: 604-451-7033
Email: Tracey_Renzullo@bcit.ca
Contact a Flexible Learning Program Advisor with the BCIT program name in the subject line if you have a question about:
- Course selection and program planning
- Declaring your program
- Making changes to your approved program plan
- Applying for transfer credit and advanced placement
- Laddering options
- Job placement and graduate outcomes
- Student life
Questions or comments?
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