Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations)

2022 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Professional recognition
• Career opportunities
• Participation requirements
• Mandatory student checks
• Alternate exits
• Fees and charges
• Course Learning Outcomes
• Course rules
• Course structure
• Work experience
• Research and research-related study

Course overview

Deakin's Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) empowers you to solve commercial problems of the future in a world where reputation is everything.

Learn to think more critically as you gain a strong foundation in all aspects of commerce at Deakin's world-class business school. The commerce stream will equip you with technical skills and professional capabilities to solve real commercial and community issues. At the same time, learn how to build, manage and change the reputation of brands and coordinate relationships between organisations, agencies and the public. Both degrees offer opportunities to get involved in hands-on learning including international and domestic internships, work placements, exchanges and overseas study tours. Enter the workforce with a unique skill set sought-after by organisations.

Want versatile, job-ready skills in both communication (public relations) and commerce?

In this double degree, you will study a range of topics across both areas. Develop your business knowledge through one of our commerce majors:

• accounting
• economics
• finance
• financial planning
• human resources management
• management
• management information systems
• marketing.

At the same time, explore the complementary communication (public relations) component, to learn how innovative and ethical communication leads to meaningful relationships with stakeholders. You will develop the capabilities to create inspiring campaigns and events, manage issues and become an adaptive communications expert.

Develop a thorough understanding of public relations in the 21st century to design and implement effective and memorable campaigns. Plus, take the opportunity to learn about the social, administrative, cultural and ethical implications of public relations activity.

You'll also gain insights into how PR has kept pace with advancements in technology and the changing political, economic and social landscape.

From day one, you'll have the opportunity to develop your skills in writing, editing, researching, event organisation and publishing with the aim to prepare you for the challenges of the current media landscape. Learn from leading academics with years of invaluable experience, ensuring you gain the professional skills to conduct strategic and tactical communication research, planning and evaluation.

Because your teachers are active in their fields, you'll enjoy a classroom that’s innovative, contemporary and provides industry expertise. Plus, you will have the chance to grow your connections through their professional networks.

Professional recognition

Deakin Business School is in the top 1% of business schools globally by holding both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to business schools that meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring our graduates are employable worldwide.

Depending on the major sequence you choose, your Bachelor of Commerce component may give you eligibility for a range of professional memberships and accreditations.

Students who complete the accounting major sequence are eligible to apply for:

• the CA Program of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
• Associate membership for the CPA Program
• IPA Program of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Students who complete the marketing major sequence are eligible for a one-year credit reduction from the five years needed to become a Certified Practicing Marketer by the Australian Marketing Institute (AIM).

Students who complete the financial planning major sequence will satisfy the education standards prescribed by the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) to be able to provide financial advice in Australia and be eligible for entry into the certification programs of the professional financial planning associations – the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification Program offered by the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and the Fellow Chartered Financial Practitioner designation offered by the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA).

Commerce graduates may also be eligible to apply for membership to these key professional bodies (depending on units taken):
* Australian HR Institute (AHRI)
* Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML)
* Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)

The Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) is accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA). Graduates are eligible for accelerated membership of the PRIA, ensuring you remain connected and up to date with current industry standards.

Students should consult with a course adviser to identify any additional requirements for membership for each professional body, and also consult with the professional body.

Career opportunities

As a Bachelor of Commerce/ Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) graduate, you’ll be ready for a variety of career opportunities including:

• accountant
• economist
• financial planner
• human resource manager
• marketing manager
• account manager
• account executives
• advertising copywriters
• advertising account managers
• customer relations officers
• community relations officers
• customer relations managers
• government relations officers
• communication and stakeholder relations
• marketing and communications coordinator
• media and communications advisors
• media relations advisors
• public relations officers
• social media account managers
• digital content coordinators
• digital communications specialists
• event management officers.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Alternate exits

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as photocopying or travel.

Course Learning Outcomes

See course entry for Bachelor of Commerce (M300) or Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations)(A325)

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations), students must complete 32 credit points plus the compulsory 0-credit point module, MAI010 Academic Integrity Module.

Course structure

Students will undertake 16 credit points from M300 Bachelor of Commerce and 16 credit points from A325 Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations)

Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Commerce (M300) and the Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) (A325) must be satisfied.

Compulsory 0-credit point unit:-

To be completed in the first trimester of study.

• MAI010 Academic Integrity Module

16 credit points of Commerce coded units:-

• 8 credit points of core units (MAA103, MAF101, MAE101, MWL101, MIS171, MMM132, MLC101, MMK101)
  
  
• one Commerce major sequence of 8 credit points must be included
  
  
• Level 3 - at least 4 credit points (which must be course grouped to a Faculty of Business and Law undergraduate degree)

16 credit points of Communication (Public Relations) coded units:

• 12 credit points of core units (ACC100, ALR103, ALR104, ACC213, ALR210, ALR279, ACC320, ACC321, ALR300 (2cp), ALR376, ALR383)
  
  
• 2 credit points of course electives from level 1 (List A):ACG103, ALA101, ALA102, ALJ111, ALJ112, ALM101, ALM102 and either IND101 or IND102
  
  
• 2 credit points of course electives from level 2/3 (List B): ADV201, ALA203, ALM202, ALM215, MIS203, MMM312, ALJ324, ACC303, ALA302 and either IND203 and IND301

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

• Contact Student Central

Research and research-related study

Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.