Public Affairs Communications program

Public Affairs
Professional Certificate in Public Affairs communications

The Public Affairs Communications program provides students with specialized communications skills aimed at educating, shaping or changing public opinion on public policy, legislation, political candidates or issues.

A large group of young adults poses indoors, smiling and making playful gestures, such as peace signs and heart shapes with their hands. They are standing and sitting in several rows with two U.S. flags in the background.

Level I Core Required Courses (6 hours)

ADPR 3860 – Introduction to Public Affairs Communications

This course describes the field and the role of public affairs and advocacy in shaping public policy, legislation and politics.

POLS 5030 – Introduction to Applied Politics

This “launch pad” course will introduce students to substantive issues and knowledge needed to pursue a career in politics and politically oriented advertising and public relations.

Level II Required Course (6 hours)

ADPR 3960 – Advanced Public Affairs Communications

This course provides an in-depth dive into public affairs communications through the study of elements and tools that can be used and ethics needed to create a full-scale public affairs communications campaign.

AND one of the following

POLS 4150 – Research Methods & Design

POLS 4155 – Analyzing Political Behavior

POLS 4510 – Public Opinion

POLS 4515 – Campaign Politics

POLS 4520 – Electoral Behavior

POLS 4530 – American Political Parties

POLS 4540 – Interest Group Politics

POLS 4551 – Political Propaganda

POLS 4600 – Legislative Process

POLS 4605 – Politics of Congressional Elections

POLS 4610 – US Presidency

POLS 4660 – Southern Politics

Level III Special Topics and PAC Opportunities (6 hours)
Choose any of the following for a total of 6 hours

ADPR 5010 – PAC Related Internship

*requires prior approval by ADPR department

ADPR 5011 – PAC Related Internship

*requires prior approval by ADPR department

ADPR 5991 – Advertising & Public Relations Field Study

ADPR 5120 – Crisis Communication

Students develop crisis analysis, planning, and communication skills through class discussion, analysis of theories, case studies, and development of a crisis communication plan.

ADPR 5940 – Topics in PAC

JOUR 3190 – Information Gathering

JOUR 5320 – Journalism Ethics and Diversity

The course considers social responsibility and presents a contemporary framework for transparency and community with a focus on diversity as a guiding journalistic principle.

JOUR 5420 – Credibility, the News Media & Public Trust

Questions about the Public Affairs Professional Certificate?

Joseph Watson, Jr., Carolyn Caudell Tieger Professor of Public Affairs Communications
Joseph.Watson@uga.edu

Blog

Catch up on the latest news with the Public Affairs Professional Certificate.

Three women pose for a portrait outside the Grady College building.

November 17, 2025

Carolyn Caudell Tieger Fellows Named for 2025-2026

The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication announced the selection of three new Tieger Fellows for the 2025-2026 academic year: Grayson Troxel, Blake Daniel and Sarah […]

Joshua W. Jones has a conversation with someone in a meeting room.

July 12, 2024

Grady College and SPIA graduate leaves transformational $1.5 million estate gift

The University of Georgia is honored to announce a generous gift of $1.5 million from the estate of the late Joshua W. Jones, a proud alumnus and distinguished professional in […]

Students and professor pose for a photograph

March 22, 2024

AdPR students explore Washington D.C.’s communications industry

The following recount was written by third-year public relations student Margot Murphy. She is involved in Grady College’s Public Affairs Professional Certificate as well as Terry College’s Institute for Leadership […]

Tieger Fellows outside the Grady College building.

January 17, 2024

Students named Tieger Fellows in Public Affairs Communications

The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication announced the selection of three new Tieger Fellows for the 2023-2024 academic year: Sydney Branton, Gracie Englund and Anna […]

A group of nine people, smiling and posing indoors in front of a screen that reads Congratulations Spring 2023 PAC Graduates! Next to them is a sign that says PAC Students Celebrate Graduation.

August 09, 2023

PAC Students Celebrate Graduation

Graduating Public Affairs Communications students gathered to celebrate their experiences in the PAC program with a catered dinner at the Georgia Center on May 3, 2023. Program director Professor Joseph […]

A young woman with long blonde hair smiles at the camera. Next to her, text reads: PAC Student Spotlight: Maggie Martin. The image has a red border and decorative lines above and below the text.

August 04, 2023

PAC Alumni Spotlight: Maggie Martin

For Maggie Martin, a recent PAC graduate who double majored in public relations and political science, using communication to “help people accomplish their unifying goals” is her passion. Communicating is […]

April 28, 2023

PAC Student Spotlight: Sydney Branton

For Sydney Branton, joining the PAC program was the “perfect” way to combine her two majors. After Branton was accepted to the Grady DC Field Study & Internship Program for […]

A young woman in a blue top and white coat smiles while standing on steps outside the U.S. Capitol. Next to her is a quote about her communications career journey, attributed to Sarah Dorr.

March 28, 2023

#ProfilesofTenacity: Sarah Dorr

Fourth year public relations major Sarah Dorr can trace her love for public relations back to her time in pageants, which allowed her to create her first advocacy campaign. Now, […]

A woman stands outside the U.S. Capitol building under a blue sky. Beside her, a red box displays a quote on tenacity by Jin Lee, discussing curiosity, initiative, learning, and accountability for success.

February 07, 2023

#ProfilesofTenacity: Jin Lee

Third year public relations major Jin Lee is passionate about learning on the go. Some of her highlights from her time at Grady include co-directing ADPR Connection, studying abroad in […]

A smiling woman in black clothes and a white headband gives two thumbs up while standing in a grand, columned rotunda with a camera hanging from her neck.

Perspectives

“To students considering the PAC program: this program is one of a kind and will
provide you with the kind of skills that employers in the public affairs realm need.”

Caroline Kurzawa

AB ’22

Perspectives

“The PAC certificate has prepared me for my internship by strengthening my writing
skills, while also giving me insights into how to network with people.”

Jake Strickland

AB ’22 MA ’23

Seven people, including three in military uniforms and four in civilian clothing, stand side by side smiling in front of an American flag in an indoor setting.

Perspectives

“My PAC experience has helped prepare me for this role, which sits at the
intersection of public and private sectors and has helped me better understand
how firms prepare to advocate for a position or cause with the foundations of PAC.”

Patrick Femia

AB ’21

A woman in a black dress stands smiling in front of the U.S. Capitol building, with its white dome and columns visible under a cloudy sky.

Perspectives

“Coming into the PAC program, I knew that I wanted a career in public affairs
communications, however, I neither had the needed skillset or depth of knowledge.
I can honestly say that if it were not for Professor Watson’s dedication and the
support of my cohort, I would not have the professional experience, confidence or
expertise that I have today.”

Sarah Geary

AB ’21

Perspectives

“[PAC] inspired me a lot and motivated me to go out and seek those opportunities
more so than I think I would have without the program.”

Sydney Branton

The Latest

Read the newest headlines, get updates and discover events happening at Grady.

March 23, 2026

Apply To The Certificate

Applications for the PAC certificate are open every year in the spring. Visit the PAC Eligibility page for application dates and details.

Apply Here

Public Affairs Professional Certificate

Public Affairs Professional Certificate in Public Affairs communications

Overview

ELIGIBILITY

CERTIFICATE TRACK: HOW IT WORKS

ADPR 3860 – Introduction to Public Affairs Communications

POLS 5030 – Introduction to Applied Politics

ADPR 3960 – Advanced Public Affairs Communications

POLS 4150 – Research Methods & Design

POLS 4155 – Analyzing Political Behavior

POLS 4510 – Public Opinion

POLS 4515 – Campaign Politics

POLS 4520 – Electoral Behavior

POLS 4530 – American Political Parties

POLS 4540 – Interest Group Politics

POLS 4551 – Political Propaganda

POLS 4600 – Legislative Process

POLS 4605 – Politics of Congressional Elections

POLS 4610 – US Presidency

POLS 4660 – Southern Politics

ADPR 5010 – PAC Related Internship

ADPR 5011 – PAC Related Internship

ADPR 5991 – Advertising & Public Relations Field Study

ADPR 5120 – Crisis Communication

ADPR 5940 – Topics in PAC

JOUR 3190 – Information Gathering

JOUR 5320 – Journalism Ethics and Diversity

JOUR 5420 – Credibility, the News Media & Public Trust

Class Sampler

ADPR 3860 – Introduction to Public Affairs Communications

POLS 5030 – Introduction to Applied Politics

ADPR 3960 – Advanced Public Affairs Communications

ADPR 5011, ADPR 5991 – Grady in Washington, D.C.

ADPR 5940 – Topics in Public Affairs Communications

FACULTY

Joseph Watson

BENEFACTOR

Carolyn Caudell Tieger

Questions about the Public Affairs Professional Certificate?

Blog

Carolyn Caudell Tieger Fellows Named for 2025-2026

Grady College and SPIA graduate leaves transformational $1.5 million estate gift

AdPR students explore Washington D.C.’s communications industry

Students named Tieger Fellows in Public Affairs Communications

PAC Students Celebrate Graduation

PAC Alumni Spotlight: Maggie Martin

PAC Student Spotlight: Sydney Branton

#ProfilesofTenacity: Sarah Dorr

#ProfilesofTenacity: Jin Lee

Perspectives

Caroline Kurzawa

Perspectives

Jake Strickland

Perspectives

Patrick Femia

Perspectives

Sarah Geary

Perspectives

Sydney Branton

Social Media

The Latest

Alumni Award Profile: Eric NeSmith (ABJ ’02)

Crisis Communications Scholars present research at PR conference

Profiles of Tenacity: Shad McMillan

Alumni Award Profile: Wilson Lowrey (MA ’90, PhD ’00)

Amy Poehler, Sterlin Harjo, PBS Kids to be honored at Peabody Award

Matthew Evans named Russell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching honoree

Apply To The Certificate

Public Affairs
Professional Certificate in Public Affairs communications