Cause Consulting is a signature course in the Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications program. It offers a cohort of students an applied learning experience working in small consulting teams to develop and implement communications plans for small and medium-sized business clients that will facilitate the sharing of their social and/or environmental impacts. 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 inherent in authentically communicating a company’s social and environmental commitments to its stakeholders. Consultant teams will be provided with the outline of a communications plan and a foundation of client research at the outset of the engagement. The primary focus of the consultant team is to make these plans actionable and, more importantly, sustainable. As students develop and implement key portions of their communications plans for their clients, the focus will be on teamwork, analytical and strategic thinking skills, managing client relationships, and tracking and evaluating success toward pre-agreed plan goals. By the end of the semester, students will provide clients with sustainable communications systems, tools and recommendations for using them effectively – all of which will allow clients to more clearly articulate their values. 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: MPPR-505