Training for Public Agency Communicators and Partners Certificate Program
Time limit: 385 days
0.3 credits
Full course description
Program summary:
This certificate program the important situations and concepts that public agency communicators are likely to encounter in their work, from crisis communications to special events as well as the use of branding and graphic identity and working strategically with our partners.
Recommended background:
There are a wide range of public agency communicators, their partners, and members of the public who may qualify for and benefit from this training. The primary users have been identified as National Park Service employees who, at a minimum, have collateral duty responsibilities pertaining to communications, marketing, and/or public affairs. This training is also designed for and applicable to park professionals in state, county, and municipal agencies and non-profit organizations who are responsible for communicating with the public.
Program elements:
The certificate program includes the following elements:
- Informational text
- Interactive practice activities
- "Learn More" opportunities
- Engaging videos
- Supplemental reference materials
- Informal assessment quizzes
- Final assessments
These courses are self-paced, allowing learners the flexibility to complete the courses as quickly or slowly as they need.
After completing the content and activities in each course module, you will complete a final quiz to demonstrate your understanding of key course concepts. Upon successful completion of all course modules and quizzes, you will be awarded a program certificate of completion.
Creators:
This course of study was designed and developed jointly by the National Park Service and the Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University.
Program topics:
The units included in this certificate program are:
- Course 1: Communications Policy and Practices
- Unit 1: Why Does Your Agency Need to Communicate?
- Unit 2: Basic Tools and Terms
- Unit 3: Applying Policies to Communication
- Unit 4: Understanding Accessibility Laws and Policies
- Unit 5: Obtaining Permissions for Information Use
- Unit 6: Communicating Agency Priorities
- Course 2: Communication Tools
- Unit 1: Basic Tools and Terms
- Unit 2: Communicating Your Message to the Public
- Unit 3: Publishing on Agency Websites and Social Media
- Unit 4: Navigating the Relationship Between Personal Communications and Professional Position
- Course 3: Media Relations
- Unit 1: Basic Tools and Terms
- Unit 2: How to Interact with the Media
- Unit 3: Information Accuracy and Consistency
- Course 4: Other Communications Topics
- Unit 1: Basic Tools and Terms
- Unit 2: Crisis Communications
- Unit 3: Branding and Graphic Identity
- Unit 4: Working with Partners
- Unit 5: Special Events for the Public
- Course 5: Putting It All Together – Planning Your Communications Strategy
- Unit 1: Best Practices and Elements of a Communications Plan
- Unit 2: Identifying Goals and Key Audiences
- Unit 3: Crafting Messages
- Unit 4: Creating a Communications Plan
- Unit 5: Evaluating the Success of Communications Plans and Products
How to access:
Upon enrolling, you will receive instructions and the link to the Canvas course. Note: When you register, you will receive an email invitation. Be sure to accept that invitation, or Canvas will not allow you to open the course modules.
Enrollees can move through content modules at their own pace within the one-year course timeframe.