Cause Consulting is a signature course in the Masters of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications.  It offers a cohort of students an applied learning experience working in small consulting teams to develop and implement communications plans for nonprofit clients.  It also is an opportunity to explore students’ leadership potential to create positive social and economic impact throughout their careers. The primary goal of the course is for students to gain the knowledge and skills that are necessary to work as a consultant for clients, while garnering a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities working in and with the nonprofit sector.  As students develop and implement key portions of their strategic communications plans for their clients, they will focus on teamwork, analytical and strategic thinking skills, managing client relationships, and tracking and evaluating success toward achieving the original goals of the plans. The semester culminates with the students providing their clients with sustainable communications systems, tools and recommendations for using them for full effect. Students who complete the course are recognized with the designation of Cause Consultants, which allows them to participate in exclusive pro bono consulting and training opportunities through the Center for Social Impact Communication (CSIC).

Prerequisite: Students must have completed Elements of Communications Planning prior to enrolling in this course.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this class you should be able to:

• Manage a client relationship by learning how to analyze a situation, to listen as well as lead, and to effectively and persuasively present your ideas
• Successfully implement pieces of a strategic communications plan
• Evaluate the strategic direction of your own work and of others
• Understand the unique qualities of the nonprofit sector and how communications strategies can help create positive social change
• Think critically and analytically about communications challenges facing nonprofit organizations