THIS COURSE IS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP PUBLIC RELATIONS PROFESSIONALS WHO POSSESS THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND CRITICAL ABILITIES NEEDED TO PERFORM AS SUCCESSFUL PRACTITIONERS IN TODAY’S FAST MOVING WORLD.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
An honours degree or equivalent from a relevant subject area (eg Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences). Students without traditional honours degrees may be admitted (subject to interview) if they have other relevant qualifications and/or appropriate work experience. For students whose first language is not English, IELTS 6.5 is required. For further details please contact the Course Leader, schalmers@qmu.ac.uk.
DURATION:
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 2-7 years
OUTCOMES:
PgCert/PgCert in Public Relations/PgDip in Public Relations/MSc
The programme aims to produce graduates who are capable of contributing as communication professionals to the strategic management of commercial, public or voluntary sector organisations. On the course you will be able to develop a critical understanding of the strategic roles and functions of the professional communicator. You will assess public relations as a management function and develop critical knowledge and skills in some key areas of public relations practice. You will apply your learning in a work-based environment and specialise in your chosen area, undertaking in-depth research to further your learning and contribute to the academic body of work.
We recognise that students wanting to study for an MSc Public Relations have a range of starting points. We, therefore, provide tailored support to ensure that the programme enables them to learn in a way which is most relevant to them. To find out more about how the programme meets the needs of those wanting to start a career in PR, those who already work in the field who want to enhance their practice, international students and Chartered Insitute of Public Relations (CIPR) Diploma graduates visit our subject area page http://www.qmu.ac.uk/mcs/mcc/CoursesPostGrad.htm#MscTop.
MSc Public Relations students are eligible for student membership of the CIPR and, on graduation, can upgrade their membership to full or associate status depending on professional experience. For students who are already associate or full CIPR members, the MSc counts towards the Institute’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.
Students who have already been awarded a CIPR Diploma receive 45 credits towards the MSc Public Relations exempting them from specified parts of the programme (see ‘Areas Covered by the Course’).
QMU is the only Scottish institution to offer CIPR accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and to teach the CIPR Diploma.
STRUCTURE:
The programme is offered on a modular full and part-time basis. Full-time students are expected to attend six 4-6 day blocks during the year. Part-time students normally attend no more than 4 shorter blocks a year. All students complete a work based learning module which, for those who do not already work in a public relations role, involves a 20 day placement. Students also complete a dissertation. Work is set and contact maintained between teaching blocks through the internet. Access to QMU learning resources is available off campus through an internet-based remote desktop programme. Block teaching is particularly beneficial for those who wish to study part-time while working. It also enables students who live some distance from Edinburgh, throughout the UK and abroad to study at QMU. CIPR Diploma graduate exemptions are indicated (*) below.
AREAS COVERED BY THE COURSE:
Core modules
- Critical Reflections on Public Relations*
- Communications Theory and PR Practice
- Social Research Methods
- Internal Communications
- Strategic PR Planning*
- Public affairs
- Professional Development Through Work Based Learning (* partial)
- Dissertation
*not required from CIPR Diploma graduates.
TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT:
Students participate in a variety of teaching approaches which seek to engage them in the learning process. These include lectures, seminars, case studies, group work, student-led presentations, projects and research. Students are assessed on the basis of essays, analyses, proposals and planning documents, reflective reports, public relations materials, online discussion submissions, research proposals and the dissertation. Some modules are taught jointly with CIPR Diploma students.
CAREERS:
As a CIPR accredited programme, the MSc is benchmarked against CIPR career progression requirements. This means there is a clear articulation between the course and developing your career. For students who are already associate or full CIPR members, the MSc counts towards the Institute’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.
ASSOCIATE STUDENTS AND CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
You can also register as an associate student to study single modules in areas of interest or as part of your continuing professional development programme. The following MSc Public Relations modules are available on this basis: Communications Theory and PR Practice, Internal Communications, Public Affairs, International Public Relations and Public Engagement and Dialogue.
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