
About this course
Learn about the different levels and impacts of crises, the building and maintaining of effective plans and the purpose and importance of crisis communication training. Discover how to use influencing strategies to avoid or avert a crisis. Join an online crisis workshop by your course leader Chris Tucker. As a former PR director in a global organisation, Chris is a veteran of many crisis situations.
Our course includes live online sessions, tutorials and individual feedback on assignment topics, plus CIPR Professional Student Membership.
NOTE: From 1 June CIPR ‘Professional Student’ membership is mandatory, the cost of £80 will be added at enrolment. For more information see FAQs at the bottom of this page.
Course detail
Study Support Package
Live interactive online workshops
One to one tutorials
Individual feedback on your assignment idea
Online library with all the books you need
Study Hub: our bespoke online learning centre
Networking via our LinkedIn group
Easy tutor contact
Pay monthly
Initial fee: £295.80 (incl. VAT)
8 monthly instalments: £230 (incl. VAT)
A one-off initial fee is taken when you enrol. Instalments are collected monthly from the date you enrolled.
How we calculate your fee
PR Academy tuition : £1,349 (+ VAT)
CIPR fees: £517 (no VAT)
Total: £1,866 (+ VAT)
VAT is calculated upon enrolment and is dependent on your location and situation.
VAT inclusive fee is £2,135.80
Who is this course for?
PR and communication practitioners. You are an experienced public relations practitioner who wants to develop your expertise in the area of response and crisis communication management. You want to prove your skill in the area of crisis communication management through certification.
Add a new skill. You may already hold the CIPR PR diploma or an undergraduate degree in PR or communication but feel that gaining a specialism such as crisis communication management will enhance your CV and help you to fulfil your role.
Prepare or repair. You want to help your organisation to avoid a crisis or repair its reputation after one has happened.
Master’s level. This is a Master’s level crisis communication course, so make sure you are ready to study and be assessed at this level.
CIPR Specialist Diploma: Crisis Communication Syllabus
- Gain the knowledge and tools to contribute effectively to an organisation’s risk assessment, crisis preparations and management, while meeting what is expected of an ethical practitioner in complex situations.
- Research and develop ethical crisis response strategies and plans that assist organisations to avoid or reduce the impact of crisis situations.
- What to do at each stage. How to establish a crisis-ready organisation. Test methods and scenarios for crisis plans. Develop messaging in a crisis and learn from the crisis to deliver post-crisis reputation repair.
Apply what you learn. Be assessed on real-life or work-related projects which is great for employers, showing the practical relevance of the course.
Download the full syllabus and brochure below.
Download our course brochure for all the course details including:
- Full syllabus
- Assignment details
- Reasons to study

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Reviews from our graduates
Discover how our courses work
Ann Pilkington, co-founder of PR Academy explains how our courses work, demonstrates our Study Hub and explains the resources and support you will receive. Also hear from members of the PR Academy alumni.
Meet your course leader Chris Tucker
Chris was formerly PR Director for the global Barclays Group. Since leaving Barclays Chris works in consultancy providing media and crisis communications training, lecturing and mentoring. She is also our course leader for the Chartered Institute of Public Relations PR Diploma.
Hear from others
Discover what it’s like to study the crisis communication diploma with us.
Your questions answered
- £160 for a 2-year course (PR Diploma and PR Certificate)
- £80 for a 1-year course (Specialist Diplomas and Certificate)
- £38 for the Foundation course
- Membership Extension Offered Where a candidate has already paid for their own membership which overlaps with the qualification period, that existing membership will not be refunded. Instead, the individual will receive a free extension of their current membership by one or two years, in line with the length of their course. The same applies to Corporate Affiliate membership.
- Membership Grade During Qualification If you are an existing member you will remain on your existing membership grade throughout the course in order to retain any professional accreditations that you already hold e.g. Accredited PR Practitioner, Chartered PR Practitioner. You will continue to receive communications and services appropriate to your existing grade.