Public Affairs Professional Certificate

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.

Contact Us

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.

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

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

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

#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, […]

PRSSA’s annual D.C. Agency Tour returns

The following is a first-person reflection written by PRSSA Vice President and Public Affairs Communications Tieger Fellow, Sarah Dorr. Last month, eight Grady College students traveled from Athens to the […]

#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 […]

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

Headshot of Jake Strickland

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

Headshot of Sydney Branton

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

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The Latest

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

Two students and their instructor pose for a picture.

AI dining hall story wins spring 2025 Reporting I Beat Pitch Competition

A story idea about new technology and AI helping combat food waste at University of Georgia dining halls, presented by Janki Patel, Marissa Rabin and Tripp Teague, won first place […]

Graduates shake the hands of faculty members as they cross the convocation stage.

Spring 2025 graduates celebrated at Grady College Convocation

Spring 2025 Grady College graduates were celebrated by family, friends, faculty and staff at Grady College’s Convocation ceremony on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Athens Classic Center Grand Hall.  […]

Undergraduate Commencement student speaker Kate Hall at the State Botanical Garden, where she is a communications intern. (Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)

Commencement student speaker comes full circle to start new life

Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt of a feature originally posted on UGA Today. To see the complete feature and photos, visit that webpage. Every soon-to-be University of Georgia graduate knows […]

Two graduates stand in front of Grady college in their caps and gowns.

De’Ondre Harris selected as senior speaker for Grady College Convocation; Kate Hall to deliver UGA Commencement remarks

De’Ondre Harris, a graduating journalism major from Atlanta, Georgia, has been named senior speaker for the Spring 2025 Grady College Convocation. Grady Convocation ceremonies will be held at the Athens […]

Students participate in an interview on the red carpet in front of a Backlight step and repeat. (Photos/Chamberlain Smith (AB '18)/UGA Marketing and Communications)

Backlight shines a spotlight on student films

Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt of a feature originally posted on UGA Beyond the Arch. To read the complete feature and see the videos and photos, visit that webpage. […]

Senior journalism major, Noah Buice, poses in front of Grady College.

Profiles of Tenacity: Noah Buice

Noah Buice is a fifth year from Barnesville, Georgia, majoring in journalism with a Certificate in Sports Media. Noah works as a digital marketing intern for Georgia Bulldog Sports Marketing. […]

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.