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The Certificate in Public Affairs Management program is designed to be completed in two to three years, but candidates have a maximum of five years to successfully meet all requirements.
To receive your certificate, you must earn 40 credits in the following areas:
Click here for a full list of current credit-eligible programs.
Curriculum Details
CORE PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGEMENT
Participants must earn at least 12 credits from core public affairs programs.
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No more than 3 of these credits may be earned through webinar participation.
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The mix of core public affairs management programs may change from year to year.
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2017 core public affairs programs include:
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Issues Management Demystified
February 8 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Engaging Business Units Effectively for Public Affairs
February 8 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Managing the World: Best Practices for Global Public Affairs
February 9 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Leveraging Reputation Management for Public Affairs
March 22 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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The ROI of Global Public Affairs
May 10 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Stakeholder Mapping
June 7 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Public Affairs Management Seminar
June 8 − 9 | Washington
4 credits
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Webinar: Communicating the Value of Online Advocacy and Social Media for Public Affairs
June 21 | Webinar
1 credit
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Building a Strategic, Integrated CSR Function
June 29 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Measuring and Communicating the Value of Government Relations Workshop
June 29 | Washington and virtual
1 credit
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Webinar: Coordinating Government Relations, CSR, and Sustainability
July 12 | Webinar
1 credit
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Webinar: Metrics to Show Your Grassroots Value
July 25 | Webinar
1 credit
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Webinar: Measuring and Communicating the Value of Your PAC
September 20 | Webinar
1 credit
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Regulatory Advocacy
October 25 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Webinar: Strategic Planning for International Public Affairs
November 16 | Webinar
1 credit
INTEGRATION AND LEADERSHIP ELECTIVES
Participants must earn at least 16 credits from programs tailored to meet organizational needs or a certificate participant’s specific functional responsibilities.
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No more than 3 of these credits may be earned through webinar participation.
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The mix of elective programs may change from year to year.
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Participants may earn 2 credits for participation in a Council Spring Executive Meeting; no more than 4 credits may come from Executive Meeting attendance.
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Past graduates of the Public Affairs Institute can request 5 credits toward their elective goal for the Certificate in Public Affairs Management.
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2017 integration and leadership elective programs include:
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Managing Contract Lobbyists and Consultants
January 9 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Communicating in a Crisis
January 25 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Webinar: Where Does Philanthropy Fit in a Strategic CSR Program?
March 21 | Webinar
1 credit
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Writing Workshop: Persuasive Writing
March 22 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Media Training for Public Affairs and Communications Professionals
April 5 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Effective Coalitions and Alliances
April 5 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Local and Community Engagement
May 3 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Speechwriting and Public Speaking For Public Affairs
May 23 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Methods for Tracking Lobbying Activities
June 7 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Webinar: Trends in International Public Affairs
June 8 | Webinar
1 credit
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Connecting ROI and Sustainability: The Dow Jones Sustainability Index
June 15 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Webinar: Public Affairs in Uncharted Territory: Key Considerations for Successful New Market Entry
July 11 | Webinar
1 credit
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Public Affairs and Advocacy Writing Workshop
September 12 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Best Practices for Integrating CSR and Public Affairs
September 19 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Webinar: Leveraging CSR and Sustainability Reporting for Improved ROI
October 19 | Webinar
1 credit
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Webinar: Creating an Integrated International Public Affairs Campaign
November 7 | Webinar
1 credit
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Webinar: Online Influencer and Stakeholder Mapping
November 9 | Webinar
1 credit
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Leveraging the Global Reporting Initiatives for CSR and Public Affairs
November 14 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Materiality: A Cornerstone of Strategic CSR and Sustainability
November 14 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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How Strategic Communications Drives Public Affairs
November 15 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Webinar: Employee Engagement for CSR and Sustainability
November 30 | Webinar
1 credit
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Webinar: Aligning CSR Efforts with UN Sustainability Development Goals
December 6 | Webinar
1 credit
COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
Participants must earn at least 4 credits in public affairs compliance. They may do so by:
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Attending a full-day compliance seminar with Ken Gross of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom:
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Public Affairs Compliance Rules & Strategies
May 2 | Washington and virtual
3 credits
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Participating in a mix of webinars and half-day programs related to compliance. Options in 2017 include:
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Webinar: Compliance Across the States
January 26 | Webinar
1 credit
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Webinar: Lobbying Compliance: Filing Your LD-2 and LD-203
March 15 | Webinar
1 credit
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Online and Social Media Compliance for PACs & Grassroots Advocacy
June 27 | Washington and virtual
2 credits
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Webinar: Lobbying Compliance: Filing Your LD-2 and LD-203
September 14 | Webinar
1 credit
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Political Compliance Management – Part of The Political Strategy Forum
October 17 | Washington
3 credits
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Webinar: State-Level Compliance: Lobby Laws, Procurement and Pay-to-Play
November 2 | Webinar
1 credit
- NOTE: The mix of compliance programs may change from year to year.
LEADERSHIP IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMUNITY
Participants must earn at least 8 credits by making significant contributions to the public affairs community. Participants are required to demonstrate thought leadership that advances the field, provide resources and guidance to others, and invest time and energy in building a stronger industry.
Participants must serve as a mentor and show thought leadership by creating and sharing case studies, white papers or other resources. These two elements will earn 5 credits combined; the remaining 3 credits may be achieved in a number of ways.
Credits may be earned in the following categories:
Sharing Resources and Information – 1 credit each
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You may earn credits by:
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Sharing samples and resources for the Council’s virtual resource library. These must be internal samples that demonstrate management or strategic planning, such as organizational structures, departmental responsibilities or strategic plans. These must be shareable documents, although they can be made anonymous. Participants will earn 1 credit per three resources submitted, with a maximum of 2 credits awarded for resource sharing.
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Serving as a speaker at a certificate-related Council program (at the discretion of Council staff).
Insight-Sharing Guidance – 2 credits each
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You may earn credits by:
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Serving as a mentor for a full year through the Council’s mentoring program. (The mentee must confirm activity.) This is a required element of the program.
(Download the mentor registration form here.)
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Writing an article or tip sheet that provides guidance to help peers manage their function. These documents may be used on the Council’s website or in Council newsletters. Participants must work with Council staff in the development of these tools.
Demonstrating Thought Leadership – 3 credits each
- You may earn credits by:
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Developing a detailed white paper or case study on topics such as strategic planning, departmental organization, and other initiatives that demonstrate innovation, cross-functional leadership and industry advancement. These case-studies should provide an in-depth analysis of the situation, steps taken to achieve objectives and ultimate outcomes. They should also be applicable to peers. Participants must work with Council staff in the development of these tools. This is a required element of the program.
Questions? Contact:
Rikki Amos
Director, U.S. Public Affairs Practice
ramos@pac.org | 202.787.5973
