Whether you’re looking to refresh your skills with a workshop or executive certificate, prefer an intensive graduate studies program or hope to garner more respect by obtaining a professional credential, the Washington, DC area is filled with professional development opportunities for communicators. Staying current is vital, whether you’re hoping to move up or to land a new job. Here’s a list of options to help you get started.

Workshops

Need a workshop to further develop your skills or add new ones? Consider one of these upcoming topics and check with the area chapters of communications professional societies for more throughout the year:

• Be an Expert on Working with Experts – don’t get caught–creative communications consulting, August 23
• Put More Power and Precision in your PR/PA Writing – offered twice yearly by the Public Relations Society of America National Capital Chapter (PRSA NCC)

Executive Certificates

Looking to update or add a new focus to your educational background? One of these certificate programs might be the right match:

• American University Digital Media Skills Online Certificate
• George Mason University Graduate Certificate in Science Communication
• George Washington University Graduate Certificate in Public Relations
• Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies Certificate in Digital Media Management and Social Media for Government
• University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies (Falls Church, VA) Certificate in Public Relations

Accreditation

Do you feel that adding a professional credential will enhance your resume? Two local chapters of professional development organizations for communicators can help:

• Public Relations Society of America National Capital Chapter (PRSA NCC) offers the APR credential and the APR+M for military communications
• International Association of Business Communicators DC Metro (IABC DC Metro) offers the ABC credential

Graduate Programs

Have you reached the point in your career where you’d like to pursue a Master’s or Ph.D.? The Washington area provides many options:

• American University–M.A. in Public Communication, International Media, Political Communication or Media Entrepreneurship; Weekend M.A. program in Public Communication or Media Entrepreneurship; Ph.D. in Communication
• George Mason University–M.A. in Communication; Ph.D. in Communication
• Georgetown University–M.P.S. in Public Relations and Corporate Communications
• Johns Hopkins University DC Center–M.A. in Communication or M.A. in Communication/MBA dual program
• University of Maryland–Ph.D. in Communication