Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) covers planning and management and the implementation of communication strategies for a variety of communication environments and organisations.

About the course

The public relations practitioner of tomorrow needs to be totally in the social media space. Being able to manage client or organisational Facebook pages and Twitter accounts; shoot, edit and upload digital footage; and to have a strategic sense of what communication strategies and tactics will work in a highly competitive marketplace are key outcomes. Understanding the global public relations environment is a new field this degree offers.

Supplementary consultations

One of the unique things about CSU's Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) is we have small class sizes, which allow intensive learning and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students as well as the opportunity to gain practical experience working in small teams with real clients, not just watch the work being done. This makes our course very competitive. To give you the best opportunity to gain entry to the Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations), CSU offers you the opportunity to undertake a supplementary course consultation as part of your application process. This gives you the chance to meet with the course lecturers and demonstrate your interest, enthusiasm and talent for this career area as well as finding out more about the course, our excellent facilities and exceptional work placements.

Course components

The Public Relations course is the equivalent of 24 subjects and there is also an extensive industry internship program in the final year. You will study subjects in areas including organisations and management, community, government and international communication, social and convergent media strategies, professional ethics, public relations tactics, event management, and crisis management. There are also subjects that provide students with practical experience with community groups.

Hands-on experience

Exercises, case studies and projects in the core subjects cover planning and management of communication strategies, ensuring graduates have a portfolio of work that demonstrates a high level of expertise.

Practical experience

Recent additions to the course structure provide students with the opportunity to work in teams on real projects in the Bathurst-Orange-Oberon region to gain valuable experience prior to their internship.

Students complete internships of four weeks with major public relations firms and corporate public affairs offices to equip them with practical, useable skills developed while working with real clients on real projects.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Career opportunities

Nearly every medium and large organisation has communication staff or employs public relations consultants.

You can work in:

  • public relations, public or corporate affairs departments, both corporate and government
  • private public relations consultancies
  • non-profit organisations
  • community relations

The latest facilities

To make sure you are experienced using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:

  • on campus community radio station
  • online newsroom
  • television studio
  • online media technologies

Professionals teaching you

The course is taught by dedicated professionals with a wide range of industry experience, including Donald Alexander, who has extensive industry experience at senior management level in the manufacturing, resources and technology sectors; and Dr Peter Simmons, medical and health promotions specialist.

Your course is recognised by industry

This course is accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA).

To successfully graduate from the Bachelor Communication (with specialisation) students will be required to complete 192 points. These comprise 80 points of Communication Foundation Studies, 64 points of Discipline Specialisation Studies and 48 points of Academic Enrichment Studies offered from within SCCI and/or externally as approved by the Course Director. This structure will also serve the Geraldton University Centre (GUC) offering of the BCommunication (Journalism).

The course structure is as follows:

Communication Foundation Subjects (80 points)
COM111 Professional Writing (8)
COM114 Presentation for Communicators (8)
CCI100 Intro to Media Production (8)
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities (8)
COM124 Communication in Context (8)
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship (8)
CCI300 Communication & Creative Industries Professional Practice (24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork (8)

Advertising Specialisation Subjects (64 points)

ADV104 Understanding Advertising (8)
ADV105 The Advertising Business (8)
ADV205 Advertising Creative (8)
ADV206 Channel Planning (8)
ADV207 Channel Planning in Action (8)
COM224 Communication Research Strategies (8)
ADV317 Advertising Strategy and Planning (16)

Commercial Radio Specialisation Subjects (64 points)
COM113 Commercial Radio Industry (8)
ADV105 The Advertising Business (8)
ADV104 Understanding Advertising (8)
ADV205 Advertising Creative (8)
COM233 Media Sales Principles (8)
COM234 Media Sales Presentation (8)
COM236 Making it Happen: Event Management (8)
ADV206 Channel Planning (8)

Journalism Specialisation Subjects (64 points) (inc GUC offering)
JRN112 Journalism in Society (8)
JRN101 Newsgathering & Writing (8)
JRN200 Convergent Storytelling (8)
JRN205 Data Mining & Research(8)
JRN225 The Specialist Reporter (8)
JRN207 Multiplatform Publishing & The Law (8)
JRN322 Beyond News: Longform Journalism (8)
JRN318 Deadline: Multiplatform Delivery (8)

Public Relations Specialisation Subjects (64)
COM116 What is Public Relations (8)
COM232 Public Relations Strategy (8)
COM222 Public Relations Tactics (8)
COM223 Communication Management (8)
COM236 Making it Happen: Event Management (8)
COM224 Communication Research Strategies (8)
COM313 SOS: Issues and Crisis Communication (8)
COM322 Going Glocal: Regional & Global Public Relations (8)

Theatre/Media Specialisation Subjects (64 points)
THM108 Principles of Theatre Media (16)
THM207 Drama & Theatre For Young People (8)
THM208 Devised Performance (16)
THM308 Applied Production Research (16)
THM300 Theatre & Cultural Action (8)

Academic Enrichment (elective) Subjects (48 points)
Students undertake 6 electives to be taken as a combination of unrestricted electives and/or professional clusters (4 subjects per cluster) from within the School of Communication & Creative Industries, or from outside the School as approved by Course Director.

Enrolment pattern

Advertising Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
ADV104 Understanding Advertising
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
ADV105 The Advertising Business
ADV205 Advertising Creative
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 3 (30)
ADV206 Channel Planning
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1
Elective 2

Session 4 (60)
ADV207 Channel Planning in Action
COM224 Communication Research Strategies
Elective 3
Elective 4

Session 5 (30)
ADV317 Advertising Strategy & Planning (16)
Elective 5
Elective 6

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Commercial Radio Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
COM113 Commercial Radio Industry
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
ADV105 The Advertising Business
ADV205 Advertising Creative
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 3 (30)
COM233 Media Sales Principles
ADV104 Understanding Advertising
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1

Session 4 (60)
COM234 Media Sales Presentation
COM236 Making it Happen: Event Management
Elective 2
Elective 3

Session 5 (30)
ADV206 Channel Planning
Elective 4
Elective 5
Elective 6

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Journalism Specialisation

Full time suggested study sequence (including Geraldton cohort)

Session 1 (30)
JRN112 Journalism in Society
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
JRN101 Newsgathering & Writing
JRN200 Convergent Storytelling
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 3 (30)
JRN205 Data Mining & Research
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1
Elective 2

Session 4 (60)
JRN225 The Specialist Reporter
JRN207 Multiplatform Publishing & The Law
Elective 3
Elective 4

Session 5 (30)
JRN322 Beyond News: Longform Journalism
JRN318 Deadline: Multiplatform Delivery
Elective 5
Elective 6

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Public Relations Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
COM116 What is Public Relations?
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
COM232 Public Relations Strategy
COM222 Public Relations Tactics
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 3 (30)
COM223 Communication Management
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1
Elective 2

Session 4 (60)
COM236 Making it Happen: Event Management
COM224 Communication Research Strategies
Elective 3
Elective 4

Session 5 (30)
COM313 SOS: Issues & Crisis Communication
COM322 Going Glocal: Regional and Global Public Relations
Elective 5
Elective 6

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Theatre/Media Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
THM108 Principles of Theatre Media (commenced)
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
THM108 Principles of Theatre Media (continued)
THM207 Drama & Theatre For Young People
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 3 (30)
THM208 Devised Performance (commenced)
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1
Elective 2

Session 4 (60)
THM208 Devised Performance (continued)
Elective 3
Elective 4
Elective 5

Session 5 (30)
THM308 Applied Production Research (16)
THM300 Theatre & Cultural Action
Elective 6

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Journalism Specialisation Geraldton cohort
Part time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
JRN112 Journalism in Society
COM111 Professional Writing

Session 2 (60)
JRN101 Newsgathering & Writing
JRN200 Convergent Storytelling

Session 3 (30)
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 4 (60)
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 5 (30)
JRN205 Data Mining & Research
Elective 1

Session 6 (60)
JRN225 The Specialist Reporter
Elective 2

Session 7 (30)
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication & Citizenship
Elective 3

Session 8 (60)
JRN207 Multiplatform Publishing & The Law
Elective 4

Session 9 (30)
JRN322 Beyond News: Longform Journalism
Elective 5

Session 10 (60)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork
Elective 6

Session 11 (30)
JRN318 Deadline: Multiplatform Delivery

Session 12 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries (24cr)

Special admission requirements

In addition to applying through UAC, applicants must submit a Supplementary Application form.

You can upload your completed Supplementary Application form through UAC’s website after you apply. For more information about uploading your form, visit www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/faq/upload.shtml

On the basis of your Supplementary Application form you may be contacted for a course consultation.

Late applicants should contact CSU on 1800 334 733 before submitting their Supplementary Application Form.

It is recommended that prospective students set-up a supplementary course consultation in Bathurst in late November. The consultation is completely informal and relaxed and is designed to ensure that you have the opportunity to gain first-hand information that will help you make an informed decision about your course. Alternatively you can organise a telephone consultation.

Year 12 students are eligible for admission on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR), and supplementary application. For further information please telephone info.csu on 1800 334 733.

Principal's Report Entry Program applicants

Students applying for this course through PREP should submit the additional application form direct to CSU with their PREP application.

Admission requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

  1. previous studies, and
  2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

  • the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
  • the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
  • a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
  • a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
  • an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
  • completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

  • voluntary or paid work experience;
  • performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
  • participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
  • completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

 

 

 

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Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1

Australian and New Zealand students

Apply through UAC/VTAC

Full-time on campus study only

Admission code: 211247

International Students

This course is not available to international students

More information:

Consider also:

info.csu

Prospective Student Inquiries

Australian campus business hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Australian Eastern Time (GMT +10).

info.csu can provide support and guidance to prospective students on everything you need to know on the University, courses, fees, accommodation, etc.

within Australia 1800 334 733
International + 61 2 6338 6077 Fax (02) 6338 6001