Graduate Certificate in Communication (Public Sector)

Summary

The Graduate Certificate in Communication (Public Sector) gives more experienced communications practitioners the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to manage specific issues, events and tasks which may occur within that environment and draw on the theory which underpins these.

This qualification provides a professional development opportunity for a communications practitioner with a generic or similar undergraduate degree who wishes to specialise in local government working at a higher level.

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Communication (PS) will be media-savvy communication practitioners who know the local government environment and understand how it works. They will be able to plan for internal and external change or crises utilising new media as well as traditional means. They will also be able to take a lead role in engaging with communities, managing events and protecting their organisation through adverse situations.

You will learn to:

• Develop and maintain good relationships with the media, local and national plan for events, good or adverse, which may impact on the local authority and its community
• Advise senior management and Council when required
• Utilise a variety of communication methods including new media
• Be able to communicate effectively - internally and externally
• Be able to keep pace with and communicate changes in local government.

The Graduate Diploma/Certificate in Local Government has now been changed to Public Sector. These changes have been made to reflect changes to both cultural and communication environments and the market place for communication professionals.

Course Content

Compulsory:

• BPC230 The Political Environment (15 credits)

Choose three from the list below:

• BPC328 Advanced Media Studies (15 credits)
• BPC350 Online and Advanced Technologies (15 credits)
• BPC313 Crisis and Emergency Communication (15 credits)
• MGT709 Relationships, Influence and Leadership (15 credits)

Satisfactory Completion

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme and be eligible for the awarding of the qualification Graduate Certificate in Communication (Public Sector), they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all papers, and achieved a total of 60 credits as specified in the programme schedule. The timeframe for completion of this programme is three years.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Communication (Public Sector) will be able to guide local authorities through the key areas relating to change and crises, both internally and externally.

Recent graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Communication (Public Sector) have gained employment in areas including education, HR, media and law.