Public Affairs Communications program

Public Affairs
Professional Certificate

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.

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

The Latest

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

UGA and Penn State students pose together for a photo.

December 04, 2023

Cross-institutional collaboration sparks student research on AI, crisis communication

When students from the University of Georgia and Penn State met to kick off a research partnership this past August, they quickly realized they were gaining more than a line […]

November 30, 2023

Profiles of Tenacity: Karenia Murry

Fourth-year journalism student Karenia Murry currently serves as the vice president for the National Association of Black Journalists at UGA. She enjoys the community she’s found through organizations and classes […]

November 29, 2023

Research indicates policing videos contribute to trauma symptoms among Black Americans

Viewing violent police videos can result in trouble sleeping, symptoms of PTSD and feelings of being on guard, especially among Black Americans, according to research published in the Fall 2023 […]

November 28, 2023

SEE Suite benefits from Brazil PR agency partnership

The week of November 5, a team representing the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at Grady College visited Brazil to exchange practices and continue research collaboration. Itai Himelboim, Michael […]

November 17, 2023

NaYoung Song takes on Crisis Communication

After completing her bachelor’s degree at Korea University, NaYoung Song decided to attend the University of Georgia to receive her master’s, becoming the inaugural scholar in a partnership between the […]

November 16, 2023

Profiles of Tenacity: Dani García Pozo

Dani García Pozo’s love of writing motivates them to craft memorable stories and projects during their time at Grady College. Read more about their creative pursuits below. Why did you […]

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

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

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

Blog

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

December 04, 2023

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.

Learn More

Public Affairs Professional Certificate

Public Affairs Professional Certificate

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?

The Latest

Cross-institutional collaboration sparks student research on AI, crisis communication

Profiles of Tenacity: Karenia Murry

Research indicates policing videos contribute to trauma symptoms among Black Americans

SEE Suite benefits from Brazil PR agency partnership

NaYoung Song takes on Crisis Communication

Profiles of Tenacity: Dani García Pozo

Perspectives

Caroline Kurzawa

Perspectives

Jake Strickland

Perspectives

Patrick Femia

Perspectives

Sarah Geary

Perspectives

Sydney Branton

Social Media

Blog

Cross-institutional collaboration sparks student research on AI, crisis communication

Profiles of Tenacity: Karenia Murry

Research indicates policing videos contribute to trauma symptoms among Black Americans

SEE Suite benefits from Brazil PR agency partnership

NaYoung Song takes on Crisis Communication

Profiles of Tenacity: Dani García Pozo

Apply To The Certificate

Public Affairs
Professional Certificate