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Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Certificate

→ Back to Certificates

  • Overview

  • Cohorts and Course Schedules

  • Deadlines and Costs

  • Instructional Team

  • Information Session Video

On This page
  • About the Certificate
  • Who Should Enroll?
  • Skills and Outcomes
  • Credentials
  • Student Testimonials

About the Certificate

Navigate turbulent waters with confidence through the Rutgers Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Certificate (CCRM). Crisis communication requires leaders who can guide decision-makers through volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) situations while protecting the organization’s reputation, brand, credibility, and trust and ensuring its ability to thrive.

The art of being an effective spokesperson is a valuable tool at any level. The Rutgers Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Certificate program offers you a transformative opportunity to navigate uncertainty and unforeseen business challenges with confidence. Dive into real-world case studies, simulation exercises, and interactive workshops with our internationally renowned team of experienced instructors. Gain insights into crisis communication, crisis communication planning, crisis response strategies, communication during a crisis, media training, and risk and reputation management. Our comprehensive online program includes six four-week courses plus two one-hour, one-on-one media training sessions.

Our program is 100% online and asynchronous, allowing you to complete your coursework around your schedule while balancing your professional and personal commitments. It is led by distinguished industry experts who bring years of experience, providing you with a rich learning environment that fits your busy schedule. You'll have the opportunity to learn from professionals who have worked with top companies and organizations, giving you direct insights into best practices and current trends in the field. These professionals bring proven experience and a forward-looking perspective, enriching class discussions and offering meaningful feedback on assignments and projects. You will gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to make an immediate impact and thrive in your career

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Who Should Enroll?

  • Public relations and public affairs professionals who need to guide their organization during challenging times
  • Marketing, human resources, or other specialists who face labor actions, change management, workplace incidents, or other internal challenges
  • Marketing leaders navigating reputational issues such as recalls, regulatory scrutiny, or flawed products
  • Investor relations practitioners with demands to guide organizations through high-stakes situations that can affect market value, product launches, and more
  • School district and higher education leaders in environments of community conflict, potential threats, and wrongdoing accusations
  • Public information officers for military, police, fire, and emergency management who need to expand their abilities to impact safety, awareness, and disclosure
  • Social media specialists who are often on the front lines of detecting and responding to public-facing reputational threats
  • Public relations agency staff and consultants seeking to add skillsets that will grow their business
  • Candidates for certifications such as APR and ABC or advanced degrees
  • Chief risk and information security officers who assess and mitigate competitive, regulatory, and technological threats
  • Forensics and integrity services leaders who investigate facts, manage regulatory challenges, and resolve disputes
  • Legal compliance and corporate governance executives who handle compliance regarding internal and external laws and regulations
  • Corporate communications, strategic communications, and legislative affairs leaders who build relationships, develop strategies, and craft messages

Begin Your Journey Today

  • Apply Now
  • Request Information

Skills and Outcomes

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Fundamentals of Crisis Communication

You’ll be introduced to the overarching principles and theories of crisis communication management in Fundamentals of Crisis Communication and learn how to identify potential crises, explore some of the top crisis mitigation strategies, examine facets of artificial intelligence in crisis response, and view how other organizations navigated their challenges.

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Crisis Communication Planning

In Crisis Communication Planning, you’ll develop your own custom crisis management plan for your organization and learn about the dynamics of managing a crisis team and how to develop relationships with key publics.

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Crisis Response Strategies

In Crisis Response Strategies, you’ll develop a comprehensive set of techniques for responding to active crisis scenarios and develop a toolkit for managing online and traditional media for effective crisis responses.

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Communication During a Crisis

In Communication During a Crisis, you’ll develop branding and related communication strategies applied during crisis events, including key messaging and other tools for internal and external crisis communication.

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Media Engagement

In Media Engagement, you’ll prepare strategies for interacting with media and other stakeholders on behalf of the organization during crisis events, effectively providing statements, working with hostile questions, and directing multiple spokespeople with different agendas.

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Risk and Reputation

In Risk and Reputation Management, you’ll develop strategies for managing risk and protecting reputations throughout your organization including developing a custom risk and vulnerabilities assessment for your organization, incorporating best practices for improving reputations, and developing ethical decision-making tools.

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One-on-One Media Training Coaching

Twice during the program, you will participate in One-on-One Media Training, helping you, as a growing crisis communication leader, have a positive impact on your organization’s target audiences, or even instruct other spokespeople and subject matter experts on effective interviews. One session is on media-focused message refinement for your organization and the second session is a critiqued individual mock media interview.

Credentials

Crisis Communication and Reputation Management sample badge

When you complete the program, you’ll receive a digital certificate and badge—credentials that can be shared on LinkedIn or in your professional portfolio to demonstrate your continued growth and expertise. You’ll also receive an official transcript documenting your coursework, which can be valuable for employer reimbursement, internal advancement, or future academic pathways.

  • Digital Badge and Certificate
  • Transcript
     

Student Testimonials

Rita McIntosh

A U.S. Department of War Chief Public Affairs Officer Enhances Crisis Leadership Skills by Earning the Rutgers Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Certificate   

On This page
  • Spring 2026 Cohort
  • Fall 2026 Cohort

Spring 2026 Cohort

Application Deadline: April 3, 2026

CourseCEU Earned*Dates
Fundamentals of Crisis Communications4.0 CEU4/6/26-5/3/26
Crisis Communication Planning4.0 CEU5/4/26-5/31/26
Crisis Response Strategies4.0 CEU6/1/26-6/28/26
Communication During a Crisis4.0 CEU7/6/26-8/2/26
Media Engagement4.0 CEU8/3/26-8/30/26
Risk and Reputation Management4.0 CEU8/31/26-9/27/26

*Continuing and Professional Studies (CPS) at Rutgers University's School of Communication and Information offers digital credentials and 24 Continuing Education Units (CEU) for the Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Certificate Program. CPS maintains all credential records and can provide documentation in supportattainment.

Fall 2026 Cohort

Application Deadline: TBA

CourseCEU Earned*Dates
Fundamentals of Crisis Communications4.0 CEUTBA
Crisis Communication Planning4.0 CEUTBA
Crisis Response Strategies4.0 CEUTBA
Communication During a Crisis4.0 CEUTBA
Media Engagement4.0 CEUTBA
Risk and Reputation Mangement4.0 CEUTBA

*Continuing and Professional Studies (CPS) at Rutgers University's the School of Communication and Information offers 24 Continuing Education Units (CEU) for the Crisis Communication and Reputation Management Certificate Program. CPS maintains all CEU records and can provide documentation in support of CEU attainment.

On This page
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Application Deadlines

Cost Breakdown

CohortBundle and Save on the Full Program
Spring 2026

$6,570 (Six courses)

SAVE 15%: Enroll in the full program by March 20, 2026 for $5,584.50
SAVE 10%: Enroll in the full program after March 20, 2026 for $5,913.00

Fall 2026

$6,570 (Six courses)

SAVE 15%: Enroll in the full program by Early Registration deadline for $5,584.50
SAVE 10%: Enroll in the full program after Early Registration deadline for $5,913.00

Monthly payment option: $1,095 per course for six months

Application Deadlines

CohortDeadline
Spring 2026
April 6 -Sept. 27, 2026
April 3, 2026
Fall 2026
Dates: TBA
TBA

 

Begin Your Journey Today

  • Apply Now
On This page
  • CCRM Instructors

CCRM Instructors

Ken Hunter

Ken Hunter

Academic Director for Communication Certificate Programs

Emailken.hunter@rutgers.edu

Teaches: Crisis Communication Planning

Meet Ken
Paul Brovak

Paul Brovak

Emaildch5@comminfo.rutgers.edu

Teaches: Crisis Response Strategies

Meet PJ
Ralph Gigliotti

Ralph Gigliotti

Chief of Staff to the President

Emailralph.gigliotti@rutgers.edu

Teaches: Fundamentals of Crisis Communication

Meet Ralph
Danielle Heuer

Danielle Heuer

Emaildch5@comminfo.rutgers.edu

Media Coach

Meet Danielle
Erin Keenan

Erin Keenan

Phone201-400-3432

Emaileketin@gmail.com

Teaches: Risk and Reputation Management

Meet Erin
Michael Lauer

Michael Lauer

Phone201-400-3432

Teaches: Communication During a Crisis

Meet Michael
Carey Pilato

Carey Pilato

Phone201-400-3432

Emailpc906@comminfo.rutgers.edu

Teaches: Media Engagement

Meet Carey
Sukhi Sahni

Sukhi Sahni

Emailss6316@rutgers.edu

Teaches Fundamentals of Crisis Communication.

Meet Sukhi
On This page
  • Information Session Video

Information Session Video

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