USC puts a whole new spin on PR
The University of the Sunshine Coast is about to put a whole new spin on PR with the launch of two new Public Relations degree programs.
The three-year Bachelor or Public Relations and the Bachelor of Corporate and Public Affairs degrees will be offered at USC from 2009.
Bachelor of Public Relations students will develop skills in event management, promotion, tourism and media relations, while Bachelor of Corporate and Public Affairs students will focus more on communication skills and understanding the political and legal structures that underpin government and corporate spheres.
USC Public Relations program leader Dr Amalia Matheson said the degrees would provide graduates with the professional communication skills necessary to become competent practitioners in the government and corporate worlds.
“Not only are the specialist courses taught by industry professionals, students are given the opportunity to undertake well-established internship programs with public relations firms to help make them job-ready,” she said.
Dr Matheson said the degrees had been developed on the basis that there was more to public relations than simply understanding the issues involved.
“Being skilled at developing and delivering the key messages that actually influence outcomes is a crucial role within all professional organisations,” she said.
“These degrees will provide graduates with a diverse range of skills that will give them a competitive edge in the industry.”
The introduction of the new degrees has been endorsed by Peter Rekers, manager at the Phillips Group – a Brisbane-based company that is one of Australia’s top PR firms.
Mr Rekers said the industry was still experiencing significant growth thanks to the resources and infrastructure booms.
“This growth is driving recruitment, but it is a continual challenge to find graduate level recruits with both the knowledge and practical understanding they need,” he said.
“These degree programs are helping to address those deficiencies and will give graduates the right balance of skills and experience.”
For more information on the new degree programs visit the USC website at www.usc.edu.au.