Program summary 
Program overview
Admission requirements
Program objectives
Program structure
Program requirements and notes
Enquiries 

Program summary

Award abbreviation: GDPR
Degree type: postgraduate coursework program
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: the Graduate Diploma in Public Relations can be completed in the minimum time of two semesters, full-time or four semesters, part-time.
Fee type: domestic fee-paying places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 8
Total units: 96
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Program code: AR613
CRICOS code: 058893A

Program overview

The Graduate Diploma in Public Relations offers students an opportunity to develop skills and conceptual understandings in contemporary public relations. Public relations specialists assist business, government and non-profit organisations to develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with clients, consumers, media, financial donors, employees and other stakeholders. It will provide an attractive opportunity to gain a qualification that has relevance, currency and credibility. The Diploma will be attractive to professionals within the corporate and government sectors who wish to upgrade their qualifications and expertise within a short time frame. In many of these job markets the ability to write and communicate well is becoming increasingly important. Employers are looking for people with the ability to write and communicate in an effective, efficient and lucid fashion. The program does not just impart knowledge and skills pertinent to professional and business writing, but also ones pertinent to written communication more generally.

Admission requirements

A student entering the Graduate Diploma program will normally be required to hold an undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from a recognised higher education institution. To be eligible to undertake this award, students must not have undertaken a previous degree in communications, journalism, creative writing or public relations; or a major or minor in any of the foregoing fields of study. Students cannot undertake any course in this award that they have completed previously at an undergraduate level. Entry by non-graduates who have extensive relevant industry experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Advanced standing for up to 4 courses may be awarded for courses completed in a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations.

Program objectives

On completion of this program students should be able to:

• demonstrate proficiency in areas of professional writing
• identify and evaluate a particular audience, and develop the styles of written communication and modes of delivery accordingly
• identify the generic conventions of different forms of written communication
• analyse written and oral communications in order to identify and implement proper drafting, revising, and editing techniques
• graduate and pursue further vocational studies and apply theoretically advanced approaches
• approach public relations issues in a critical, ethical and professional manner
• critique and analyse public relations campaigns for their effectiveness
• utilise new technologies in public relations, particularly the Internet
• understand and implement successful communication strategies
• liaise effectively with media representatives, community groups, employers, clients and large organisations

Program structure

5 required courses:
CMN512 Creative Event Management
CMN550 Media Relations
CMN531 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN524 Advertising Campaigns
CMN526 Advertising: Copy and Image
Plus select 3 of the following: (provided prerequisite equivalency has been approved by the course coordinator)
CMN510 Australian Media Industries: Introduction to Communication Studies
CMN513 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN528 The Writer and the Law
CMN529 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality
CMN530 Business Communication
CMN543 Production Workshop (Professional Communication)
CMN551 International Communication
CMN573 Internship/Research Project (Professional Communication)
CMN574 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review *

* Subject to final approval.

Requirements and notes

1. The Graduate Diploma in Public Relations is a 96 unit program.
2. The courses that constitute the Graduate Diploma in Pubic Relations will be existing undergraduate courses but will be assessed at a postgraduate level.
3. The Graduate Diploma articulates into the Master of Communication. Students who undertake courses in the Graduate Diploma may apply for up to 8 courses advanced standing into the coursework components only of the Master of Communication.
   Please note: To gain the maximum of 8 courses advanced standing, students must complete CMN510 and CMN574 in the list above. 
4. Refer to the Academic Rules.

Enquiries 

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259