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Diploma in Public Relations
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DESCRIPTION
In a rapidly changing world, all kinds of organizations need help with communicating to the media, employees and the public. This includes private corporations, government and non-profit agencies, all of whom rely on trained public relations professionals to use communications strategy, tools and techniques to help build positive relationships with all of their stakeholders.
The Public Relations Diploma Program has responded to this challenge by providing in-depth training for the next wave of public relations professionals. The Kwantlen program is distinguished not only for providing the technical expertise to successfully work in PR, but also the strategic thinking and communications management that will help Kwantlen grads to succeed and advance quickly within organizations.
The two-year program will appeal to people who are looking for a dynamic, fast-paced career where they will excel in all aspects of communications. Strong writing skills are emphasized in every course.
To keep pace with rapid changes in the industry, Kwantlen provides a solid foundation in communications theory blended with practical, hands-on work experience and a field placement in a public relations environment. The program works closely with the professional public relations community and our faculty is drawn from industry and includes full and part-time instructors who are active public relations professionals.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
During the last few years, the job market has exploded for those who are skilled in public relations writing, special event coordination, media relations, issues management, publication layout and production, community relations, and marketing.
The Kwantlen PR Program is known for providing a broad-based educational experience that gives students a solid grounding in all aspects of public relations and corporate communications.
Kwantlen's Public Relations Program graduates experience a high rate of employment in a variety of positions within the field. Examples of employment positions attained by recent graduates include Communications Manager, Media Relations Specialist, Special Events Coordinator, Information Officer, and Public Relations Consultant.
STUDENT PROFILE
Some students enter the program with post-secondary experience or university degrees and are seeking specific marketable skills, or are changing career direction. Others are high school students who have identified an interest in writing, communicating, or special event coordination and would like to develop a career that fits their aptitudes and interests. Students accepted into the Public Relations program must have a high level of communication skills, both written and verbal. Depending on their background, advanced standing can be granted for work done or skills learned elsewhere.
Perhaps more than any other skill, public relations professionals are great writers. We are looking for students who have a natural flair for writing and a good command of English grammar.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as admission is based on date of application once the applicant has met entrance requirements.
Important Dates:
First day to apply:
November 1
Last day to apply:
Applicants are encouraged to apply online to record the date of application, after which they can complete the rest of the application process, including satisfying the English requirement. The program accepts candidates, based on the date of application, until all seats in the program are filled. As the program is popular, and has limited seats, applicants are encouraged to get applications in early.
The PR Diploma Program requires strong competency in the English language for both written and oral presentations and publications. Consequently, applicants are required to have:
English 12 with a minimum B, or equivalent
OR
A transferable undergraduate level English course with a minimum C.
Note: A lack of basic writing skills or word processing computer skills will hold the student back, so applicants are urged to upgrade this area before starting the program. When the paperwork is complete, applicants will be invited to attend an orientation session in late April or early May. The purpose of this session is to provide an opportunity to meet faculty, ask questions about the program, and to explore what the program entails. Arrangements will be made to accommodate out-of-town applicants.
CONTENT
The Public Relations Program is organized into four semesters and carries 60 university credits. During the first year, students concentrate on general knowledge and on developing the basic skills, work habits and attitudes they need to succeed both as students and as PR professionals.
In the second year, students concentrate on further developing what they have learned and applying their public relations skills to a variety of projects for clients, culminating in a one-month work experience in the public relations industry.
During their two years of study, students will:
- Learn about the broad world of media, including Print, Radio, Television and the Internet along with the theory and practices of communications in Canadian society
- Be introduced to basic concepts and skills of the public relations industry, including: PR writing, design and production; event planning and management; media relations, marketing, publicity, issues management and crisis response; and internal communications within organizations.
- Develop professional attitudes through exposure to the ethical, legal and societal expectations of modern day public relations
- Develop personal competence through working in group projects, delivering presentations, and hands-on training in computer labs
- Gain experience in design and management of all the aspects of a special event fundraiser in support of a non-profit organization in the community.
Successful applicants may take non discipline specific courses (MRKT 1199 and JRNL courses) prior to entering the program and/or during the summer semester in order to lighten their workload during the term.
Industry personnel may contact the Program Coordinator to access individual courses of interest without applying for the complete program. Access is determined by permission of the Coordinator and an availability of space.
Semester 1 to 4
Refer to timetables as course offerings may change year to year
- PRLN 1120 Public Relations Writing
- PRLN 1230 Public Relations Research
- PRLN 1140 Computer Skills I
- PRLN 1150 Public Relations Practice
- JRNL 1100 Explorations in Mass Communications
- JRNL 1141 Visual Design with Computers
- PRLN 1210 Media Relations
- PRLN 1220 Writing for Newspapers and Features
- PRLN 1236 Visual Presentations
- PRLN 1240 Computer Skills II
- MRKT 1199 Introduction to Marketing
- PRLN 2310 Issues Management & Crisis Response
- PRLN 2320 Writing for Corporate Communications
- PRLN 2331 Event Planning and Sponsorship
- PRLN 2340 Computer Skills III
- PRLN 2350 PR Advertising
- JRNL 2301 Media and Audiences
- PRLN 2441 Organizational Communications
- PRLN 2431 Event Production and Management
- PRLN 2450 Public Relations Management
- PRLN 2476 Public Relations Work Experience
- JRNL 2401 Ethics and the Media
WORK EXPERIENCE
Students gain hands-on experience during a four-week (full time) work experience in the public relations industry prior to graduation. This work experience provides opportunities for observation and application of previously studied theories and methodologies and assists with the transition of the graduates from Kwantlen to the workplace. Students are required to successfully complete all other courses in the PR Diploma Program, or be able to demonstrate how they will complete any remaining requirements prior to the graduation date of that particular year, before taking PRLN 2476 Public Relations Work Experience.
GRADUATION
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be awarded a Diploma in Public Relations. Graduates may wish to complete Kwantlen's Bachelor of Applied Journalism degree with a Public Relations Concentration for which the majority of the Public Relations courses are transferable (see Journalism). Students may also complete a Bachelor of Professional Communications at Royal Roads University, (partially on-line) for which the Kwantlen PR Diploma Program is accepted as the first two years of the degree.