Graduate Diploma of Public Relations
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Public Relations |
| Course Credit Points | 8 |
| Deakin course code | A643 |
| Course version | 3 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2018 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Final Intake | The final intake to this course was in 2025. Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the handbook archive. |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
Course sub-headings
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Analyse and critically evaluate theoretical approaches and issues relevant to public relations practice in the local, national and global context, including current social and legal norms, policies, and practices. |
| Communication | Effectively communicate analyses, findings and strategies in public relations to a range of audiences using written, digital and oral formats. |
| Digital literacy | Identify and utilise a range of generic digital communication technologies and specific digital technologies employed by public relations professionals to address communication needs for diverse audiences and to deliver reports and presentations to audiences within and outside the public relations field. |
| Critical thinking | Analyse and critically evaluate theoretical approaches to public relations practice and contemporary public relations strategies and tactics. |
| Problem solving | Employ specialised knowledge, initiative and creativity in conjunction with evidence-based communication methods to generate innovative approaches and solutions to complex, real-world issues within the professional public relations environment. Acquire expertise in the formulation, design, implementation and evaluation of public relations strategies and tactics. |
| Self-management | Act with autonomy, responsibility, accountability and a continued commitment to learning and skills development in the field of public relations. |
| Teamwork | Work and learn collaboratively in the field of public relations with colleagues and real-world (external) clients and others from different disciplines and backgrounds while still maintaining responsibility for your own learning. |
| Global citizenship | Analyse and address communication issues in a domestic and global context as a reflective scholar and practitioner, taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility, and the application of the highest ethical standards. |
Approved at Faculty Board November 2022
Course structure
Core units
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Units
At least six credit points chosen from the list of core units below:
| ALR700 | Public Relations Campaigns |
| ALR701 | Writing for Brands |
| ALR710 | Advanced Brand Communication |
| ALR704 | Reputation Management: Crisis, Risk and Responsibility |
| ALR718 | Communication for Social Change |
| ALR733 | Advertising Theory and Practice |
| ACC700 | Communication and Creative Arts Internship |
ACA715 Creating Your Arts Business [No longer available for enrolment]
ALR782 Public Affairs and Opinion Formation [No longer available for enrolment]
ALR731 Public Relations Theory and Practice [No longer available for enrolment]
Electives
Electives may be chosen from the remaining units above or from any other postgraduate course in the School of Communication and Creative Arts. Students who intend to move from the Graduate Diploma into the Master of Communication are strongly advised to take ACX701 Communication Concepts for their two elective credit points.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.