Post job

Best director of public affairs certifications

Director of public affairs certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an director of public affairs to employers. However, not all director of public affairs certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a director of public affairs are Accreditation in Public Relations (PR), Certified Manager Certification (CM), and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Below is a list of the best director of public affairs certifications. Obtaining an director of public affairs certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

4 best certifications for directors of public affairs

4 best director of public affairs certifications

1. Accreditation in Public Relations (PR)

APR certification proves you have successfully demonstrated competency in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice public relations effectively in today's business arena.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)

2. Certified Manager Certification (CM)

The Certified Manager Animal Resources (CMAR) certification program is designed to raise competency and professionalism in the field of Animal Resources Management. The CMAR designation involves a series of four examinations: three exams arranged via an organization called the Institute for Certified Professional Managers (ICPM), and the Animal Resources Exam offered by AALAS. Obtaining the CMAR designation is a sign of professionalism in the field of animal resources management.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 

3. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Certified Public Accountant candidates must pass a national exam certifiying that they are eligible to be licensed in the state(s) of their choosing. Information about state licensing requirements is made available in the Licensed Occupation tool.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying website
Certified Public Accountant
Certifying organization
American Institute of Certified...

4. Certified in Public Health (CPH)

The National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) offers the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential as the only voluntary core credential for public health professionals. The CPH designation demonstrates that an individual graduate from a CEPH-accredited school or program of public health has mastered foundational competencies in public health. CPH professionals raise the bar and enhance the public health profession through their exemplary academic and leadership skills.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
Certifying website
Certified in Public Health
Certifying organization
National Board of Public...

What is the best certification for a director of public affairs?

The best director of public affairs certification is Accreditation in Public Relations (PR). The Accreditation in Public Relations (PR) is awarded by the Public Relations Society of America. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this director of public affairs certification:

  • To become a certified Accreditation in Public Relations (PR), you need to pass the exam.
  • This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 3 year.
Best certifications

The most common combination of director of public affairs certifications include: Accreditation in Public Relations (PR), Certified Manager Certification (CM), and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Online courses for director of public affairss to earn certifications

Advertising disclosure

1. Introduction to Public Relations and the Media

coursera

This specialization is ideal for learners interested in how to practice public relations and branding communication. You will learn how to use different tools to manage your company’s reputation. You will learn about different forms of media, how to work with journalists, and how to plan strategic communication to enhance your company. And you will emerge from this specialization with several portfolio pieces, including a media contact list, press release, pitch, and crisis communication plan...

2. Communicating with the Public

coursera

Rooted in theater, journalism and humanities practices, this course presents tools and techniques that help you improve your public-facing communication skills, particularly when describing your work to a lay audience. Whether it’s a 30-second elevator pitch or speaking to a large organization, “Communicating with the Public” will boost your confidence in any speech-communication scenario...

3. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications

udemy
4.6
(2,248)

Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...

4. Press Coverage, Publicity & Public Relations For Branding

udemy
4.3
(496)

Public relations to reach 100,000+ people with influencer marketing, publicity, and press coverage for personal branding...

5. The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health

coursera

The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health provides an engaging overview of the incredible accomplishments and promise of the public health field. The first module includes interviews with legendary public health figures whose work led to millions of lives saved with vaccines, air bags and car seats, and the federal Women Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. The second module brings key public health tools to life -- including use of data, communications, and policy - through...

6. Breastfeeding: Public Health Perspectives

coursera

Engaging in this course will provide you with the opportunity to think about breastfeeding and its public health implications. The Socio-Ecological Model will be the framework of the course as we think about how each level of the Model (individual, interpersonal, community, organizational, and public policy) impacts breastfeeding practices in the United States, and globally. Through short video lectures you will be introduced to relevant topics related to the public health perspectives of...

7. The Art of Public Speaking

udemy
4.7
(270)

Master Public Speaking: Deliver Unforgettable Speeches & Presentations With The World's Most Decorated Public Speaker...

8. Public Speaking for People Who Hate Public Speaking

udemy
4.3
(293)

Public Speaking for People Who Hate Public Speaking - Presentation Skills - Communication Skills and Storytelling...

9. Leadership for Public Health Crises

coursera

Leadership for Public Health Crises will enable current and prospective managers, directors, unit heads, and elected officials to effectively lead their organizational response to profound health-related emergencies and to build leadership capacity across multiple sectors, agencies, organizations, and divisions. This series of courses prepares graduate students (in, e.g., public administration, public health, social work, business, homeland security, education, and related fields) and...

10. Politics and Ethics of Data Analytics in the Public Sector

coursera

Deepen your understanding of the power and politics of data in the public sector, including how values — in addition to data and evidence — are always part of public sector decision-making. In this course, you will explore common ethical challenges associated with data, data analytics, and randomized controlled trials in the public sector. You will also navigate and understand the ethical issues related to data systems and data analysis by understanding frameworks, codes of ethics, and...

11. Pharmaceutical Industry Drug Regulatory Affairs (DRA)

udemy
4.5
(256)

Empowering Professionals in the Pharmaceutical Industry: A Comprehensive Online Course in Drug Regulatory Affairs...

12. Certificate Course in Drug Regulatory Affairs (DRA)

udemy
4.2
(1,430)

Pharma course (NDA, ANDA, CTD, DMF, USFDA, Regulatory strategy, GMP, Clinical Research, Orange Book, Pharmaceuticals)...

13. Engineering Life: Synbio, Bioethics & Public Policy

coursera

Synbio is a diverse field with diverse applications, and the different contexts (e.g., gain-of-function research, biofuels) raise different ethical and governance challenges. The objective of this course is to increase learners’ awareness and understanding of ethical and policy/governance issues that arise in the design, conduct and application of synthetic biology. The course will begin with a short history of recombinant DNA technology and how governance of that science developed and evolved,...

14. Systems Thinking In Public Health

coursera

This course provides an introduction to systems thinking and systems models in public health. Problems in public health and health policy tend to be complex with many actors, institutions and risk factors involved. If an outcome depends on many interacting and adaptive parts and actors the outcome cannot be analyzed or predicted with traditional statistical methods. Systems thinking is a core skill in public health and helps health policymakers build programs and policies that are aware of and...

15. Public Speaking: A tactical approach

udemy
4.5
(1,523)

This course will teach public speaking, communication skills and storytelling in an entirely new way...

16. Public Speaking for Beginners

udemy
4.6
(915)

Public Speaking Skills Developed From Scratch, in Little Time...

17. Public Speaking & Communicating: Skip Theory, Master the Art

udemy
4.6
(2,476)

Public Speaking,Presenting,Communicating. After years in the Making: The Spark Words method has been proven by Thousands...

18. Public Speaking Training & Facilitator Certification

udemy
4.6
(1,480)

World-class public speaking training: Learn presentation skills, engage your audience, develop confidence, facilitate...

19. Fear of Public Speaking: Never Fear Public Speaking Again

udemy
4.3
(623)

Public Speaking Fear. You will deliver presentations/speeches with confidence and ease. Never be nervous again...

20. The Ultimate Public Relations Masterclass

udemy
4.7
(2,558)

Everything you need to know to be successful at PR in a digital world...

Browse executive management jobs