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Bachelor of Social Science (Public Relations)

Undergraduate course

  • This information is for local students.
  • This course is not available to international students.
    Am I a You are a local student if:
    you are an Australian citizen, or
    you are a New Zealand citizen (excluding TAFE courses), or
    you are an Australian permanent resident.
    You are an international student if:
    you are not an Australian citizen, and
    you are not a New Zealand citizen (excluding TAFE courses), and
    you are not an Australian permanent resident.    local or an international student    ?

Overview

ATAR
New
This course is new for 2013 and does not yet have an ATAR.
You can also look at entering this course via pathways from one of our UniLink or TAFE courses.
No failure to communicate here. Our Public Relations course will show you how to research audiences, develop strategic messages, put communication programs in place and evaluate their success. You’ll also learn how PR makes a positive contribution to society through advocacy roles that help ensure a diversity of views in an open market of ideas. What’s more, you’ll gain a solid foundation in PR theory, culture and diversity, society and organisations, and social research.
Duration3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Campus and intakes  Calendar
Online -March, July, November
Study modeOnline
Course codeSL050PR
Fees
For information about Swinburne's fees visit the Fees website.

Career opportunities

Graduates can expect to build on and maintain positive relationships with the public by taking on roles such as: community development officer, public policy adviser, public policy manager, university administrator, multimedia publisher, ethicist, industrial relations officer, human resource manager, speech writer, and event manager.
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Course in detail

On this page: course description, course structure and units of study.

Course description

This course is delivered through Swinburne Online. Swinburne Online delivers Swinburne University of Technology programs designed to meet the needs of those who are unable to undertake on-campus study. These programs have been specifically designed for online delivery and support. 

Course structure

Swinburne Online degrees consist of 24 units:
  • All students must complete the unit LCO100 Learning and Communicating Online
  • Six units must be allocated to Social Science core units
  • Seven units must be allocated to the Public Relations major sequence of units
  • Remaining units will consist of a combination of an additional major sequence of study and/or elective units of study
Swinburne Online offers a flexible degree structure allowing students to adjust their study commitment throughout the duration of their program. Students have the flexibility to study between one and four units per teaching period.
Below are examples of study loads for Swinburne Online students:
  • Accelerated study: 12 units of study per academic year
  • Full-time study: eight units of study per academic year
  • Part-time study: four units of study per academic year
  • Recommended study: six units of study per academic year

Units of study

Social Science core units
SLCO100 Learning and Communicating Online
SLSY100 Psychology 100
SLCR102 Foundations of Statistics
SLSS101 Understanding the Modern World
SLSS102 Explorations in Sociology
SLSM103 Introduction to Media Studies
SLPR100 Professional Communication Practice 

Public Relations major
SLBM204 Integrated Marketing Communications
SLPR200 Public Relations Theory and Practice
SLPR201 Public Relations Writing
SLPR202 Global Public Relations Practice
SLSM208 Social Media
SLPR302 Events Management
SLPR303 Issues, Crisis and Risk Communication
SLPR332 Public Relations Project and Campaign Planning
A listing of unit availability is located on the Swinburne Online website.
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Graduate outcomes

On this page: aims and objectives, career opportunities and professional recognition.

Aims and objectives

The Bachelor of Social Science (Public Relations) will enable students to:
  • Develop learning skills in an interdisciplinary environment
  • Communicate effectively in writing and electronically
  • Experience breadth of disciplinary studies and intellectual processes
  • Specialise in the field of their chosen profession
  • Use technology in a way that supports learning and vocational aspirations
  • Develop a regional and international outlook in relation to learning
  • Understand the cross-cultural issues of interdisciplinary study and teams
  • Articulate easily from previous tertiary study to complete a degree program
  • Develop the personal qualities and attitudes needed for professional success
  • Identify and understand the fundamental values that inform critical issues and decision making
  • Understand how ethical theories inform and facilitate decision making

Career opportunities

Graduates can expect to build on and maintain positive relationships with the public by taking on roles such as: community development officer, public policy adviser, public policy manager, university administrator, multimedia publisher, ethicist, industrial relations officer, human resource manager, speech writer, and event manager.

Professional recognition

This course is recognised by the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA).
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On this page: entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning

Entry requirements

ATAR
New
This course is new for 2013 and does not yet have an ATAR.
You can also look at entering this course via pathways from one of our UniLink or TAFE courses.

Entry requirements

Non-year 12 and mature age students not holding an appropriate year 12 or equivalent qualification may be eligible if they have:
  • A nationally recognised qualification at Certificate IV level or above
  • Demonstrated three years or more work experience in an area related to the study discipline (documentation required)
  • Successfully completed the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
  • Successfully completed the Learning and Communicating Online unit of study

Students who have completed Year 12 require:

  • A minimum ATAR score of 50

Pathways

TAFE students may be eligible to receive credit towards completing a Swinburne Online degree. For further information refer to the Pathways website.

Credit transfer

Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted ‘credit’ and/or entry into the course with ‘advanced standing’. For further information refer to Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Swinburne Online values professional experience and may grant exemptions in recognition of work experience. Visit the Swinburne Online Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) website for more information.
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Apply

On this page: how to apply, course fees and find out more.

How to apply

Applications can be made using Swinburne's Online Application Form or through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).

VTAC code:
Bachelor of Social Science (Public Relations) - 35461 (CSP)

For further information, visit the VTAC website.

Course fees

For information about Swinburne's fees visit the Fees website.

Find out more

Tel: 1300 069 765
Email: enquiries@swinburneonline.com
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Enquire
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