Public Relations

Learn how to act as the bridge between organizations and the public, helping them navigate complex issues and protect their brand reputation.

  • Gain valuable experience working on the annual charitable fundraising campaign
  • Faculties' industry connections allow for guest speakers who can bring their experience into the classroom
  • Work for real clients, forging industry connections and helping create a seamless transition into a work environment.

Program Availability and Schedule

Availability

Open

Closed

Waitlisted

Start Term

Availability

International
Availability

Competitive?

Fall 2026

No

Schedule

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Program Summary

Credential

Ontario College Diploma (2 Years)

Program Delivery

Program Code

Area of Interest

Creative Media and Communications

School

School of Media and Design

Campus

Ottawa

Work Integrated Learning

No

The two-year Public Relations Ontario College Diploma program, which blends theory with practical experience, emphasizes professionalism and attention to detail, effective planning, as well as creative and critical thinking in all public relations activities. In this program, you acquire both theoretical and applied knowledge, and gain real-world experience by working with not-for-profit organizations to help them reach their target audiences.

Learn how to deliver strategically sound, creative and robust public relations solutions that make the most of the modern communications landscape....(read more)

Overview

Learn how to act as the bridge between organizations and the public, helping them navigate complex issues and protect their brand reputation.

The two-year Public Relations Ontario College Diploma program, which blends theory with practical experience, emphasizes professionalism and attention to detail, effective planning, as well as creative and critical thinking in all public relations activities. In this program, you acquire both theoretical and applied knowledge, and gain real-world experience by working with not-for-profit organizations to help them reach their target audiences.

Learn how to deliver strategically sound, creative and robust public relations solutions that make the most of the modern communications landscape.

The program combines theory with hands-on experience in:

  • writing
  • editing
  • visual communications
  • communications planning
  • time/resource management
  • research and measurement
  • public speaking
  • teamwork
  • media monitoring and social listening

You also gain experience in design, content management, social media engagement and business basics. This prepares you for work with:

  • all levels of the government
  • national associations
  • public relations agencies
  • private companies
  • not-for-profit organizations

Improve your skills throughout the program, and gain valuable experience working on the annual charitable fundraising campaign. In the last semester of the program, you put your skills into practice by completing a 280-hour field placement or a PR project built around a simulated client need.

Graduates from this program work across Canada and around the world, and have a thorough understanding of all media channels, from working with journalists and other influencers to managing digital media campaigns. Graduates may find employment in:

  • public relations
  • social media
  • communications departments
  • fundraising and advocacy

Graduates may also consider self-employment, freelancing and contract work.

Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.

Careers & Pathways

Careers

Graduates may find employment in public relations, social media, or communications departments in corporations, associations, government and not-for-profit organizations. For those with entrepreneurial spirit, freelance, self-employment or contract work may be an option.

Pathways

Please note: There may be more pathways available for this program than are listed here. Please use our Pathways search tool to see every option.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Participate in the planning of public relations activities, including the development of clear, measurable communication objectives and project budgets and selection strategies, tactics, tools and resources to support a range of stakeholder relationships and organizational objectives.
  2. Support the implementation and management of strategies, tactics, budgets and resources for a range of public relations activities communications and meet activity guidelines and requirements.
  3. Write and edit clear, accurate, targeted copy appropriate for the chosen channel(s) and to a specific deadline.
  4. Apply visual, audio, multimedia and interactive elements, fundamental design principles and accessibility standards, independently and collaboratively, to support the production of effective, timely communications appropriate for diverse channels and audiences.
  5. Use information sources, research tools and results, and analytical skills to support the development of communication objectives, selection and tactics, and measurement of the impact of public relations activities.
  6. Engage stakeholders by adapting language, tone and presentation style to the public relations purpose, situation, audience and channel(s).
  7. Comply with and support others to work in accordance with relevant professional association and industry codes of ethics, public relations professional standards and practices, and legal obligations, protocols and policies.
  8. Keep current with emerging social and economic trends, and local, national and global issues to inform public relations plans and activities, support organizational effectiveness and stakeholder relationships, and guide ongoing personal professional development.
  9. Select and use current and emerging technologies to support the quality and delivery of public relations activities and organizational effectiveness.
  10. Use strategies and tools to build and maintain professional relationships to support public relations activities, organizational objectives and career development.
  11. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Tuition & Fees

Get an idea of how much each semester will cost with our Tuition and Fee Estimator.

2025/2026 Academic Year

Tuition and related ancillary fees for this program can be viewed by using the Tuition and Fees Estimator tool at www.algonquincollege.com/fee-estimator

Further information on fees can be found by visiting the Registrar's Office website at www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Fees are subject to change.

Additional program-related expenses include:

  • Books and supplies cost approximately $350 each year.
  • A smart phone with the latest photo and video capability (Android/Apple or comparable brand equivalent) is required in the second semester, but students SHOULD NOT upgrade their phone until they speak with the audio/visual production workshop professor.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility requirements.

College Eligibility

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent; OR
  • Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing, for which a fee will be charged.

Program Eligibility

  • English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with a grade of 70% or higher.
  • Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
  • IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading: 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.

Application Information

PUBLIC RELATIONS
Program Code 0468X01FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants please visit this link for application process information: https://algonquincollege.my.site.com/myac360/s/self-registration-page.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar's Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Additional Information

Program Resources

Students with a minimum B+ average have the option of completing their diploma with a field placement.

Finding and securing an approved fieldwork opportunity is a shared responsibility. Your faculty have contacts in industry and, where feasible, will assist you in finding an approved field placement which may be unpaid. Students are also encouraged to seek out internship opportunities on their own.

Contact

Lara Mills

Program Coordinator

Elizabeth Gibbons

Program Coordinator

Bradley Moseley-Williams

Professor

Danielle Allard

Professor

Kindha Gorman

Professor

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