MA Public Relations and Strategic Communications

Master of Arts

PG Cert Public Relations and Strategic Communications

Postgraduate Certificate

PG Dip Public Relations and Strategic Communications

Postgraduate Diploma

Master of Arts, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma

MA Public Relations and Strategic Communications, PG Cert Public Relations and Strategic Communications, PG Dip Public Relations and Strategic Communications

PSPRSC

Compulsory

Compulsory Elective

Core

Elective

Taught Modules

 The Independent Project module equips students with the necessary applied research methods and skills to complete an Independent Project under the supervision of a member of staff. The module specification and your assessment brief will spell out the concrete details, but you will have the options to complete a sustained work of e.g. (1) a substantial project of research and analysis of an issue or debate related to your programme of study; (2) a substantial project related to current professional practice in PR and Strategic Communications plus a reflective and analytical commentary that justifies the form and decisions taken in that project.  

You must complete a 60- credit Independent Project in order to be awarded the Master's qualification.    

Dissertation Modules

Programme Structure

City St. George&#39;s&#39; accredited MA in Public Relations and Strategic Communications is aimed at students who may not necessarily have a background in public relations, strategic communications, business or related fields but who are keen communicators and savvy users of contemporary media. We explicitly welcome both graduates and those of you entering embarking on further study after industry experience. Indeed, whether you are a recent graduate or looking to change your career after years in industry, this degree provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to take the next step into a leadership position in the dynamic world of PR, crisis management, brand and reputation management and a whole host of cognate sectors.   
The MA Public Relations and Strategic Communications programme focuses on how organisations communicate and engage with the public, in a highly diverse media environment and dynamically changing social landscape. How can you persuade audiences via targeted PR campaigns with tailored digital content? How can you communicate in ways that stem crises and enhance the reputations of organisations in industry, government, charities or the cultural sector? Your work will benefit individuals, local communities, organisations and wider society. You will use communication tools to influence attitudes or individuals and shape cultures and societies, and learn about the ethical obligations that come with this knowledge. This degree will prepare you for career in PR, Media Relations, as a Communications Officer, a Social Media Community Manager and many other exciting professions.  
This programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). 
City St George&#39;s&#39; postgraduate communications programmes distinguish themselves by: 
<ul><li>A unique, curated design: as you will see in the Content section, each part of the course builds on the previous, so that your student journey – from foundational knowledge and skill building, through professional specialisation to practical application – is coherent and seamless. </li><li>An emphasis on career skills and employability both in module content as well as authentic assessment forms, guest industry lecturers as well as the opportunity to do a professional placement.  </li><li>The opportunity to specialise in Professional Communication specialist sectors. These specialisations will change from year to year, but may include areas such as fashion communication, health communication, political communication or others such as non-profit communication, communication in the cultural sector and so on. </li><li>Accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). </li></ul>

You will be taking a degree that is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). The programme follows the key requirements of this professional body, through the key theories and skills it develops.  

Successful completion of a CIPR-recognised degree programme in public relations fulfils the academic requirements for individual practitioners seeking Associate Membership of the Institute. 

Construct proper approaches to analyse key issues in PR and strategic communications and formulate insightful recommendations, in your coursework and class contributions. 

Knowledge

Synthesise the theoretical frameworks and substantive literature on a range of current developments in PR and communication studies. 

Target, segment, analyse and persuade audiences in effective ways 

Exhibit ethical and professional standards relevant to public relations and strategic communications and as dictated by your professional body (e.g. Chartered Institute of Public Relations). 

Values and attitudes

Apply the rules and regulations of City in your coursework, class conduct and contributions, including referencing the work of others. 

Create compelling audiovisual content in service of briefs 

Skills

Plan and develop an independent project in public relations and strategic communications research and/or practice. 

Respect your peers and value their work. 

Evaluate and apply analytical frameworks in writing about professional practice in public relations and strategic communications. 

Produce clear and persuasive presentations. 

Manage the applied knowledge and professional procedures in PR and communication studies (e.g. PR campaigns and application of digital content messaging to fulfil reputation management objectives). 

Organise information to answer questions pertaining to public relations and strategic communications in different contexts. 

Design and execute an applied research project or reflective, critical practice project in PR and strategic communications that is theoretically informed and substantively applied.  

Manage collaborative and collegial group- and teamwork to effective ends. 

PSPRSC - Public Relations and Strategic Communications

This degree programme is carefully curated and designed to feature three strands: (1) Foundations; (2) Specialisms; (3) Areas of Professionalisation and Employability. 
<ol>
<li>Foundations You will learn how organisations and businesses use communication to legitimise their actions. You will learn the psychological principles and advertising and other strategic communication forms required to persuade audiences and consumers. You will learn how to plan promotional campaigns using live briefs. And you will learn how to appraise, create and commission effective digital content to operationalise campaigns. The foundation strand sets you up for your specialisation in Public Relations and Strategic Communications.    </li>
<li>Specialisations The second part of your learning journey introduces you to core knowledge areas. You will learn how to generate publicity by working with journalists and influencers (media relations). You will learn how to manage organisations’ and public figures’ reputations, in normal contexts or crisis situations (reputation management). And you will learn how to curate online content and engage with online communities through social media management. </li>
<li>Areas of Professionalisation and Employability  Students will be able to opt for at least one module in which you will apply the knowledge you have acquired on the course onto a professional area or sector. Your module choices for this area of professionalisation will change from year to year, but may include areas such as health communication, political communication or others such as fashion communication, non-profit communication, communication in the cultural sector and so on.  Complementarily, you may choose one module that will help you prepare for working in communications industries (for example, Professional Placement or Entrepreneurship in the Media and Creative Industries) or an additional module from the range of compulsory-electives.   You will furthermore bring to bear your acquired knowledge in an Independent project, which you undertake under the supervision of an academic member of staff. This project provides you with the opportunity to investigate a specialised professional area of PR and strategic communication. Your project will build upon the knowledge and skills of critical analysis and practice-based research, together with industry skills and knowledge to produce a convincing and distinctive thesis. </li>
</ol>

The educational aims are achieved via a mixture of lectures, seminars, (technical) workshops and group and/or individual tutorials. You are encouraged to undertake extensive reading and independent study in order to understand the topics covered in lectures and seminars and to broaden and deepen your knowledge of the subject.   
Lectures are based around the discussion of key issues, case studies and practice in applying and evaluating concepts and perspectives. Seminars will focus on applications, scenario-based writing, problem-solving situations. You will also receive feedback on your ideas to encourage you to reflect on what you have produced.   
Key learning and teaching resources will be put on the module website on Moodle. There may be other blended/online activities such as formative activities meant to check and strengthen understanding.   
Self-directed learning hours are for independent study and account for the amount of time you should spend studying independently.  For example, carrying out research, practicing and reflecting on techniques learned in class, reading widely from the module bibliography but also around the subject to develop a deeper understanding, carrying out activities using Moodle, preparing your class participation, collecting and organising source material for your coursework (depending on the module this may range from e.g. reading secondary literature or could mean filming and editing), attending induction and career development workshops, working in groups to complete assignments and/or presentations, and completing individual assignments and other homework and planning and composing assessment work.  
You receive support through a variety of systems. These include: the personal tutorial system; formative assessment and feedback, formal and summative feedback, individual tutorials in office hours, and supervisory arrangements for your Independent Project; and the wider system of support in the School, such as Student Engagement Team and Wellbeing; and the University, such as LEaD online resources. Guided reading (in the form of reading lists and readings on Moodle), applied research and/or technical skills help is provided. You are encouraged to attend research seminars and, of course, in Departmental and School social events.

Curriculum Catalogue

Public Relations and Strategic Communications - MA

PSPRSC