Bachelor of Public Relations - University of South Australia

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Aim

The program aims to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for contemporary public relations practice. The program focuses on the effective management of communication, educating students to communicate in a variety of contexts and teaching them to research the effectiveness of communication. Through the critical and theoretical approach offered in this program, students develop ethical and responsible professional skills.

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to have one of the following qualifications:

Qualified for the SACE:

• recorded achievement in five SACE subjects taken at Stage 2 level; and 
• included at least four Stage 2 subjects which are approved Higher Education Selection Subjects (HESS); and  
• obtained a competitive TER;

Completed the equivalent secondary education qualifications as required for University entry under SACE and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;

Completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;

Completed or partly completed a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;

Completed at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at the appropriate level and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;

Completed an award from TAFE or from another registered training organisation at AQF Certificate IV or above and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements; 

Qualified for Special Entry and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;

Completed the University Foundation Studies program.

English language entry requirements

For international applicants for whom English is a second language, the minimum English language requirements are:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic): Minimum score of 6.0 in Reading and Writing subscores and minimum overall score of 6.0 obtained within the last two years or corresponding results from an equivalent test such as TOEFL or the appropriate Academic English language level delivered at CELUSA; or

Successful completion of a secondary qualification in Australia within the last two years; or

Successful completion of at least one year of tertiary study in Australia within the last two years; or

Successful completion of one year of secondary or tertiary study conducted and completed in English within the last two years in a country in which:

• English is an official language; or
• English is commonly used, as determined by the University.

Content/structure

The Bachelor of Public Relations is equivalent to three years of full-time study or 108 units. The program includes studies in:

• 4 courses in foundation (18 units)
• 1 course in Indigenous Australian Studies (4.5 units)
• 7 courses in professional major, including 6 courses of 4.5 units each (27 units), and 1 course of 9 units (9 units)
• 6 courses in sub major (27 units)
• 3 courses in professional concentrations in marketing and ethics (13.5 units)
• a public relations elective (4.5 units) and
• an elective of choice (4.5 units)

Professional recognition

Graduates will be eligible, with three years public relations experience, for membership of the Public Relations Institute of Australia.

Fee information

Fees for International students: $AU 17,500 per 1.0 EFTSL for students commencing in 2010.
Fees are calculated on a per Unit basis with 1.0 EFTSL = 36 Units.
Fees for International students are determined one year in advance and are subject to variation.

Program requirements

Rules

1. International applicants will require an International English Language Test System (IELTS) minimum total score of 6.0 with minimum subscores of 6.0 in reading and writing, or an English qualification recognised by UniSA as equivalent to IELTS.
   
   
2. The Bachelor of Public Relations comprises three years of full-time study (108 units). The program includes studies in foundation courses, professional majors, sub- majors, professional concentrations, a course in Indigenous Australian studies and electives.
   
   
3. In the Professional Concentration students will study an ethics course and two introductory courses in Marketing to give a greater exposure to the knowledge required for professional practice. This also reflects external stakeholder recommendations.

Notes

1. A sub-major is a stream of related courses which comprise 27 units or six courses.
   
   
2. Students should note that not all sub-majors are available on each campus, however, students may enrol in a sub-major on any campus. Bachelor of Public Relations students may not enrol in the Public Relations Sub-major.
   
   
3. Sub-majors can be taken in a wide range of disciplines, but it is highly recommended that students choose one of the following areas, depending on their field of interest:
   Administrative Management
   Communication and Media Management (some restrictions apply for Bachelor of Public Relations students)
   Communication, Media and Culture
   Digital Design
   Editing and Publishing
   Event Management
   Languages and Culture studies
   Marketing (Bachelor of Public Relations students cannot choose courses included in the Professional Concentration)
   Interactive Multimedia
   Professional and Creative Communication
   Psychology
   Technical Writing
   
   

4. Students must choose their Public Relations Elective from the following courses in order to further develop their knowledge relevant to professional Public Relations practice:
   COMM 1021 Journalism Ethics or COMM 2041 Creative Industries and Ethics
   ACCT 1005 Accounting, Decisions and Accountability
   INFS 1011 Business Information Systems
   MATH 1029 Statistical Analysis in Business
   Students may choose other electives only by agreement with the Program Director.

5. Students who choose Marketing as their sub-major may choose two unrestricted electives in place of Professional Concentration 1 and 2.

6. All students, other than International students and students who have elected to complete either a sub-major or elective in Indigenous Studies, must complete the course COMM 2060 Communication, Culture and Indigenous Australians. International students and students who have selected to complete either a sub-major or elective in Indigenous Studies will study an elective at Level 3 in place of COMM 2060.