Master of Public Relations (MPRL) - MPubRel

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Program focus

The focus of this program is on strategic-level public relations. The courses are designed to provide a blend of theoretical understanding and professional application, in addressing public relations specialisations that contribute to this strategic approach, such as crisis management, community consultation, financial communication and organisational communication.

Career opportunities

The Master of Public Relations aims to enhance the career prospects of public relations practitioners through specialised professional development; whilst also providing students with experience in other fields entry into the discipline of public relations.

Program aims

The Master of Public Relations degree aims to prepare students to:

• demonstrate an informed and rational understanding of salient contemporary issues in corporate communication

• pursue a scholarly and informed study, to a publishable standard, of the relevance of corporate communication to aspects of organisational communication including strategic planning, risk management and management behaviour

• employ public relations communication theory to design and implement field research in a range of contemporary issues and problems in all aspects of corporate communication

• select and apply appropriate and professionally sound communication principles into the design and practice of corporate communication

• provide best practices in planning and organisation to corporate public relations.

Program objectives

On successful completion of the Master of Public Relations degree students should be able to:

• display an informed awareness of the central role of the agencies, technical discourses and production processes of corporate communication in societal and political contexts

• apply communication and public relations theory to publishable analyses of organisational communication practices

• make appropriate and ethically justified applications of research methodology to the study and investigation of public relations practices

• initiate, plan and execute campaign and program tasks to a high professional level in a selected area of organisational communication.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements to the Master of Public Relations shall be a three year undergraduate qualification, or; demonstrated equivalent industry qualifications, or; at least five years relevant industry experience, or; IPRM Diploma plus three years industry experience.

International applicants must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/UNIPREP program.

How to apply

Domestic students 2010

Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly to USQ. You should ensure you submit your application by the closing dates.

International students 2010

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Domestic full fee paying place

You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder, however please note that until the 2010 fees are published on 1 October 2009 these amounts may be used as an estimate only.

International full fee paying place

You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder, however please note that until the 2010 fees are published on 1 October 2009 these amounts may be used as an estimate only.

Program structure

The Master of Public Relations is an eight course program offered by external study (EXT) and web (WEB) modes only. (For those already working in the field of public relations, introductory courses may be substituted with other external study courses offered at USQ. This program may be studied in full-time mode (2 - 3 semesters), or part-time mode (recommended 6 semesters).

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 3 years to complete this program.

IT requirements

Students should refer to the Division of ICT Services website for advice on computing requirements.

Exit points

Normally all applicants for the Master of Public Relations enrol initially into the Masters program but may elect to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Public Relations program. The Graduate Certificate program requires the study of four courses that provide practical elements required by the specialist public relations practitioner.

Exemptions

Students with prior industry experience and/or previous related study may apply for consideration for exemption of up to 50 per cent of the Master of Public Relations but may be required to successfully complete alternative courses in lieu of those awarded exemption.

Recommended enrolment pattern