PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
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Expand your knowledge and enhance your career with the Diploma in Public Relations
Public Relations is one of the fastest growing professions. Our diploma program is done online so you can work full time while working towards your diploma in this exciting field. Graduates of this program are eligible for employment in public, private, and non-profit organizations.
The Diploma Program in Public Relations has been developed in conjunction with an academic advisory committee which includes professionals and academic representatives from the Canadian Public Relations Society (C.P.R.S.); private sector communications agencies; B.C. Government Communications office; Crown Communications offices; and the Division of Continuing Studies, Public Relations and Information Services, Faculty of Business, and School of Public Administration, University of Victoria.
Partnerships have been established with the following institutions: Athabasca University, Thompson-Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU), and the University of Phoenix.
Today’s public relations professionals are required to serve the needs of their own organizations and those of its public. They must be able to design both external and internal communications plans and integrate the new theoretical and practical models of public relations practice that have emerged in recent years. The Diploma Program in Public Relations was developed to meet these needs.
Take courses on a part-time basis or choose the fast-track option and progress through the program at a faster pace.
Prerequisite
HPPR401 Public Relations Theory and Practice is a prerequisite or corequisite for all other PR courses and should be taken first.
Awards and Bursaries
Each term the Division of Continuing Studies offers bursaries totaling CAD $1000 to assist learners in furthering their education. Learn more about bursaries http://www.uvcs.uvic.ca/register/dcs/
All courses are delivered by distance education (online learning). Each course is 12 weeks long.
Be prepared to spend an average of 8-12 hours per week per course on your studies.
You will be expected to interact with your instructor and classmates. You will be required to complete designated assignments by specific due dates, and participate in online discussions. You will also be expected to work in partners or groups online and/or do seminar presentations online.
You'll be able to complete coures and travel if you have a laptop computer and reliable Internet access.
Distance Learning Online
PR courses are delivered through a course management system called Moodle.
See the computer requirements for accessing Moodle courses http://distance.uvic.ca/onlinehelp/tutorials/moodle
You need to complete 10 courses to obtain your diploma
Required courses:
HPPR 401 Public Relations Theory and Practice
HPPR 402 Effective Communication Tools
HPPR 403 Communication Planning
HPPR 404 Research and Evaluation
HPPR 405 Writing for Public Relations
HPPR 407 Evolution of Public Relations
HPPR 408 Case Studies in Public Relations
Electives: (choose 3 of 4)
HPPR 406 Managing the Public Relations Function
HPPR 409 Public Relations in Different Sectors
HPPR 428 Ethics and Public Relations
HPPR 433 Media Relations