Master of Strategic Public Relations

The Master of Strategic Public Relations covers corporate, government, media, investor, community, political and environmental relations.

You will develop an understanding of public relations theory and practice at a time when new styles of management and new technologies demand higher proficiency in communication skills from practitioners.Gain the critical, creative and strategic thinking required to design, implement and evaluate public relations campaigns for a range of contexts and stakeholders.

You will also learn to use the latest software and digital techniques.Explore the various functions of public relations including media relations, relationship building, issues management, boundary spanning, stakeholder liaison, crisis communication, lobbying, public affairs, and the integration of communications functions while developing essential skills in thinking, writing, speaking and working in teams.Understand the role of public relations in shaping identities and brands, negotiating power relations and creating knowledge.Learn how communication in organisational settings affects strategic decisions.

Gain an understanding of the impact your practice can have on strategy execution and how you can contribute to profitable corporations within a social justice framework.Commonwealth Supported PlacesCommonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for postgraduate study for eligible domestic students.

This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA).

CSPs are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.

Admission requirement

Entry in the 1 year or 1.5 year degree program is determined by the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) criteria below:

Admission to candidature for the Master of Strategic Public Relations (1.5 years full-time) requires:

• a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65%) average calculated over the whole degree, from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification.

Admission to candidature for the Master of Strategic Public Relations (1 year full-time) requires:

• completion of the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Strategic Public Relations with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification; or
• an Honours degree in a relevant discipline; or
• relevant professional work experience and a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65%) average or an equivalent qualification.

If you do not meet the requirements listed above for direct entry to the Master’s degree, you may be able to enter via a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in the same subject area and upgrade to the Master’s after successful completion of the shorter course.

What you'll study