Graduate Diploma in Communication (Public Sector)

Summary

The Graduate Diploma in Communication (Public Sector) aims to provide those people working in middle management at territorial authorities the opportunity to formalise their practical communications skills into a qualification and to gain a sound theoretical base on which to structure regular tasks. They may already be working in the communications field or another area within the council (supported by an undergraduate degree) which requires recognition of higher-level communication knowledge.

Graduates 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 local and national media
• Plan for events, positive 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.

Career opportunities:

The qualification prepares graduates for employment or employment advancement in communications roles in the public or private sectors.

Satisfactory Completion

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme and be eligible for the awarding of the qualification Graduate Diploma in Communication (Local Government), they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all papers, and achieved a total of 120 credits as specified in the programme schedule. The timeframe for completion of this programme is five years.