Program

PR and Advertising - 8281

Program Summary

Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Contact: sam@unsw.edu.au

Campus: Sydney

Career: Postgraduate

Typical Duration: 2 Years  

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 96

Award(s):

Master of Public Relations and Advertising

View program information for previous years

Program Description

THIS PROGRAM IS FOR STUDENTS COMMENCING IN 2015 ONWARDS

The program will offer the 72 units of credit (UOC) stream (1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent) and the 48 UOC stream (1 year full-time or part-time equivalent). The 96 UOC stream (2 years full-time or part-time equivalent) will not be offered in 2016.

The Master of Public Relations and Advertising (MPRA) will provide graduates or those seeking to change careers a professionally relevant, rigorous education in public relations and advertising. As a student you will be challenged to and equipped to think critically and innovatively in your development of PR and advertising strategies. Merging contemporary theory and academic rigour with creativity, research, and practical industry skills, the Master of Public Relations and Advertising is ideal for industry professionals seeking to advance their career, as well as career-changers wanting to enter a vibrant and rapidly evolving industry. The Master of Public Relations and Advertising combines creative approaches with in-depth knowledge of the theory and research behind the planning and implementation of highly successful public relations and advertising strategies.

Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes

The Master of Public Relations and Advertising program aims to develop a critical understanding of professional communication through the application of contemporary research and theory to public relations and advertising discourses and contexts. Key objectives are to examine modes of communicative practice including informative, persuasive, creative, promotional, digital and interpersonal discourses, and to engage ethically with publics and communities, engage creatively with ideas and production technology and engage professionally with organizational practices. Graduates will develop knowledge of how professional communicators can help organizations build mutually beneficial relationships with publics including citizens, consumers and critics.

Career Opportunities

Our graduates are well-rounded communication professionals known for their creativity, innovation, intellectual aptitude, and strategic thinking. Past graduates have found jobs in print, radio, television and online media industries, and in the media relations and corporate communication sectors.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements are as follows:

For the 1.5 year (72 UOC) stream
  • Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
  • Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience
  • Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%

For the 1 year (48 UOC) stream
  • Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
  • Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience
Relevant disciplines include:
  • Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences
  • Media, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing
  • Business, Economics, Commerce
  • Law
  • Design
Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance to these programs should enquire here: studyarts@unsw.edu.au.

*it is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.

Credit Transfer

If you are seeking credit transfer you must submit documentary evidence of courses completed at the time of initial enrolment. UNSW Arts and Social Sciences will then determine the number of units of credit to be granted. Credit Transfer will not be granted for courses completed more than ten years previously. The maximum credit transfer for a Masters is 50% of the stream, that is, a maximum of 24 UOC credit transfer for the 48 UOC stream and a maximum of 36 UOC credit transfer for the 72 UOC stream.

Program Structure

  1. Cognate Courses (24 UOC)
  2. Advanced Disciplinary Courses (18 - 24 UOC)
  3. Prescribed Electives (24 - 30 UOC)
  1. Advanced Disciplinary Courses (18 - 24 UOC)
  2. Prescribed Electives (24 - 30 UOC)
ARTS5503 Academic Writing (6 UOC)
This course can be taken as an additional course for students wishing to develop their academic writing skills. It will not count towards the program requirements. Click here for further details about the course.

Academic Rules

1.5 year (72 UOC) stream
  1. Enrol in the Master of Public Relations and Advertising and complete 72 UOC
  2. Complete 24 UOC of Cognate Courses before enrolling in any Advanced Disciplinary Courses
  3. Complete 18-24 UOC of Advanced Disciplinary Courses
  4. Complete 24-30 UOC of Prescribed Electives

1 year (48 UOC) stream
  1. Enrol in the Master of Public Relations and Advertising and complete 48 UOC
  2. Complete 18-24 UOC of Advanced Disciplinary Courses
  3. Complete 24-30 UOC of Prescribed Electives

Fees

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.

Pathways to further study

Students who successfully complete the MPRA research path may consider Higher Degree Research opportunities in the fields of public relations and advertising.

Area(s) of Specialisation