Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Public Relations

Summary

Postgraduate certificate provides the opportunity for continuing professional development in the same area as an original degree.

Postgraduate certificates are available to graduates who wish to build on an earlier degree, and who have appropriate practical, professional or scholarly experience. Waikato University offers specialist postgraduate certificates as well as postgraduate certificates.

The Postgraduate Certificate comprises a minimum of 60 points at 500 level or above.

Public Relations

The world of public relations is fast-growing and exciting. Get the public relations skills you need to help an organisation build trusted relationships with its key stakeholders and enhance its public reputation.

If you enjoy writing and talking to different people, and love framing ideas in imaginative and engaging ways, then a career in Public Relations may be right for you.

Public relations practitioners plan and implement communication campaigns to influence people’s attitudes and behaviour. They are effective networkers who work closely with journalists to manage media publicity, and act as a crucial link between an organisation and its publics, such as the community, customers and corporate shareholders.

Public Relations professionals are also involved with crisis and issues management, government relations, lobbying, events, sponsorship and fundraising, and employee relations.

Practical, hands-on learning

The assignments for this subject are highly practical. You’ll plan and deliver an innovative public relations campaign for a real client, take part in a mock media conference, build a website, use social media, create a range of advertisements, and write media releases for print, broadcast and online media. You'll also learn how to organise events, prepare corporate documents and deliver professional speeches.

Our students enjoy visits from a wide range of professional guest speakers in class, who will share their insights about what it's like working in the public relations industry.

Career opportunities

• Public relations executive
• Communications advisor/manager
• Community liaison manager
• Content writer
• Digital and social media manager
• Events and sponsorship manager
• Internal communications advisor
• Media relations adviser
• Press secretary
• Sponsorship/fundraising manager
• Stakeholder and engagement manager