Graduate Certificate in Public Relations
Get the industry-ready skills you need with this short course in public relations. Learn how to express your ideas more persuasively, help organisations enhance their public reputation, organise events, pitch stories to journalists, and build relationships with key stakeholders.
Public relations professionals plan and deliver communication strategies for private companies, government departments and non-profit social enterprises to influence people’s attitudes and promote behavioural change.
They are highly effective networkers who act as a crucial link between an organisation and its key stakeholders, such as the local community, customers and corporate shareholders.
They also look after their clients' social media accounts, organise events, write media releases and corporate documents, and work closely with journalists to manage media publicity.
PR professionals can also get involved with crisis and issues management, lobbying government ministers, sponsorship and fundraising, and employee relations.
The assignments for this short course are highly practical. So if you enjoy writing and talking to people, and love framing ideas in engaging ways, then a career in public relations could be a good fit for you.
We encourage our PR students to get involved with the Management Communication Students' Association (MCSA), an award-winning student club that organises regular activities.
Internationally recognised
Waikato is the only university in New Zealand - and one of only four outside the United States - whose Public Relations programme is certified by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). This is your guarantee of a world-class learning experience, as the PRSA sets the gold standard for PR education.
We're also ranked in the world's top 200 universities for Communication & Media Studies in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2020.
You'll be studying at Waikato Management School, which is ranked in the top 1% of all business schools globally with our prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation from EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB.
Key information
| Duration Of Study: | 4-8 months (full-time or part-time study) |
|---|---|
| Points: | 60 points |
| GradCert(PR) Study Locations: | Hamilton, Online Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
| Start Dates: | March (A Trimester) and July (B Trimester) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): |
NZ$3,400 approx (2021 tuition fees) per programme
See if you're eligible for fees-free study in your first year |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | NZ$15,132 approx (2021 tuition fees) per programme |
| Entry Requirements: | Postgraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Degree Planner
Degree planner — Graduate Certificate in Public Relations (60 points)
Students will take four papers in total (60 points), worth 15 points each. This includes one introductory paper (15 points) at 100 or 200-level; and three advanced papers (45 points) at 300-level.
You have the option to include one elective paper at 300-level in any subject.
Please contact the Management Student Centre (email [email protected]) for advice before you enrol in any papers.
Admission to each paper is at the discretion of the subject convenor.
Introductory paper (15 points)
Choose ONE of the following papers:
Advanced papers (45 points)
Choose THREE of the following papers:
300 Level
Elective paper in any subject
- Subject
- Explanatory note
- Elective
Students also have the option of transferring into the Graduate Diploma in Public Relations (120 points).
This information is provisional and subject to change.
Tessa Preddy is loving her career in public relations and her new life in Wellington. It was all jump-started by an internship with a communications agency that she completed during her university degree, which later turned into a full-time role.
Read stories from other Graduate Certificate in Public Relations students
Entry requirements
Expand to read entry requirements
To enrol for the Graduate Certificate in Public Relations, applicants must have:
a) completed a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification; OR
b) be able to demonstrate they have adequate training, experience, and ability to proceed with the programme.
Applicants who do not meet these requirements may still be considered for special admission, subject to completing some additional qualifying papers.
Admission to each paper is at the discretion of the subject convenor.
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Graduate study options
- Graduate Diploma in Public Relations
- Master of Management Studies in Public Relations (research-based degree)
Contacts
Management Student Centre (MSC)
Waikato Management School
Phone:
Email: [email protected]
Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.
Phone: +64 7 838 4610
Email: [email protected]