Public Relations Major - Bachelor of Communication Studies

Year 1

This year you take eight core courses that give you an overview of the media world and communication theories.

Semester 1 courses

• COMM505 Text, Image and Sound (15 points)
• COMM513 Media Technology and Society (15 points)
• COMM516 Media Production Foundations (15 points)
• DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices (15 points)

Semester 2 courses

• COMM512 Communication Ethics (15 points)
• COMM514 Intercultural Communication (15 points)
• COMM515 Media, Politics and Citizenship (15 points)
• COMM517 Media Production Studio (15 points)

Year 2

This year you take four courses related to public relations, covering topics like reputation management, relationship management, strategic messaging, communication in business and political environments and the power of persuasion.

Semester 1 courses

• PUBL602 Public Relations Practice and Specialisms (15 points)
• PUBL603 Power and Persuasion (15 points)
• Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses

Semester 2 courses

• PUBL604 Strategic Messaging (15 points)
• PUBL605 Reputation Management (15 points)
• Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses

Year 3

Our students can plan and execute PR strategies through Outside the Square (OTS), our student-run public relations consultancy. You work in teams to interpret a brief from a real client, develop a communication strategy and implement the plan on time and on budget. Recent clients included Child Cancer Foundation, Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust, Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ), House of Science West Auckland, The Y North Shore, Kaipātiki Project, Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland Central, Oke Charity and Duffy Books in Homes.

Outside the Square website

Other courses this year focus on the role of multimedia in public relation campaigns, political and election campaigns, and developing a strategic communication plan.

Semester 1 courses

• PUBL701 Digital Public Relations (15 points)
• PUBL707 Public Relations Theory and Practice (15 points)
• Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses

Semester 2 courses

• PUBL709 Public Image and Campaigns (15 points)
• PUBL710 Public Relations Industry Project (15 points)
• Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses

Year 1

This year you take the first of your core courses to give you an overview of the media world and communication theories, and start to take the first public relations courses.

Semester 1 courses (starting in July)

• COMM512 Communication Ethics (15 points)
• COMM515 Media, Politics and Citizenship (15 points)
• COMM516 Media Production Foundations (15 points)
• DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices (15 points)

Semester 2 courses (starting in February)

• COMM505 Text, Image and Sound (15 points)
• PUBL602 Public Relations Practice and Specialisms (15 points)
• PUBL603 Power and Persuasion (15 points)
• Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*

Year 2

You continue to take courses related to communications and the media, and further develop the knowledge for a career in public relations.

Semester 1 courses (starting in July)

• COMM517 Media Production Studio (15 points)
• PUBL604 Strategic Messaging (15 points)
• PUBL605 Reputation Management (15 points)
• Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*

Semester 2 courses (starting in February)

• COMM513 Media Technology and Society (15 points)
• PUBL701 Digital Public Relations (15 points)
• PUBL707 Public Relations Theory and Practice (15 points)
• Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*

Year 3

Our students can plan and execute PR strategies through Outside the Square (OTS), our student-run public relations consultancy. You work in teams to interpret a brief from a real client, develop a communication strategy and implement the plan on time and on budget. Recent clients included Child Cancer Foundation, Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust, Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ), House of Science West Auckland, The Y North Shore, Kaipātiki Project, Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland Central, Oke Charity and Duffy Books in Homes.

Outside the Square website

You’ll also focus on public relations for political and election campaigns.

Semester 1 courses (starting in July)

• COMM514 Intercultural Communication (15 points)
• PUBL709 Public Image and Campaigns (15 points)
• PUBL710 Public Relations Industry Project (15 points)
• Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*

Semester 2 courses (starting in February)

• Four courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*

_{*Because of timetabling and the prerequisites required for higher-level courses, you may not be able to take a second major if you start in July and want to complete your degree in three years. If you do a second major, you may need to do an additional semester.}