Journalism & Public Relations

Overview
Develop your creativity and media industry skills to specialise in journalism and public relations.

This course is aimed at individuals who wish to take up employment as communications professionals, specifically within the public relations and communications industries. Designed and delivered by PR and journalism professionals and full-time academics, the course trains learners for public relations work with clients in the corporate, political and public affairs space.

Why Study Journalism and Public Relations at Griffith College?
The Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Public Relations is recognised by the NUJ and is conducted on both a full and part-time basis over a 1-2 year period. Learners will acquire the skills to conceive, produce and edit their own media and public relations content on all platforms including web, social, radio, print and mobile video. The programme has been designed in direct response to the current market requirements for PR professionals to be able to create and implement cross-media content.

- You will gain a theoretical understanding of workings of the media industry including Sociology of the Media, Communications and Audience Theories and Research Methods.

- You will develop specific skills in journalism production through the Writing & Editing, Radio and MoJo modules, participating in Newsdays and delivering print, radio and mobile video news reports.

- You will create high-quality media content and develop effective public relations strategies.

- Progress on to the dissertation stage of the MA in Journalism and Public Relations after completing 9 mandatory modules.

- You are assured of excellent teaching practices, using industry standard techniques and technologies.

Course Highlights
- One of seven courses ?accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII)
- NUJ Press Pass for the duration of your study
- Build your own professional portfolio
- Study full-time, part-time or through blended learning
- Produce real-life public relations strategies
- Connect with industry leaders

Course Details
The Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Public Relations is designed to be delivered on a full-time basis over one calendar year and on a part-time basis over 2 years. The Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism & Public Relations consists of the 11 mandatory modules and does not include a dissertation. The programme is intended to provide a continuous development experience for learners, in which academic reflection is combined with gaining practical and professional mastery of this dynamic and engaging field. The first semester of this programme is designed to be commonly taught with MA Journalism learners while the second semester offers Public Relations specialisms.

Subjects taught

Mandatory Modules:
Communications and Audience Theories
Corporate Communications
Media Law and Ethics
MoJo: Mobile Video Journalism
Online Media: Creation, Curation
Political Communications and Public Affairs
Public Relations Theory and Practice
Radio Production
Research Methods
Sociology of the Media
Writing and Editing: News, Features, Content

Entry requirements

A primary degree (2.2) in any discipline and interview

In response to the worldwide closure of English Language Test Centres arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, Griffith College is now accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency. This is a temporary measure for our intakes up to and including February 2022.

Application dates

How to Apply
Applicants can Apply Online Directly.

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

The programme runs full-time over one year with two semesters and an August dissertation submission. It is also run part-time over four semesters in two years with eight of the modules delivered through 'blended learning' where learners view lectures and related reading online at their convenience. Candidates are encouraged to contact the faculty to discuss our flexible, student-oriented timetabling. September and February commencements are facilitated.

Post Course Info

Academic Progression
Graduates of this course have the option to continue their studies in Griffith College with progression onto:

- The Dissertation stage of the MA in Journalism and Public Relations

You can contact our admissions team to discuss what progression options are available to you.

Career Progression
Through the Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Public Relation, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong portfolio and covered a diverse range of media. Graduates of this programme are regularly employed as PR practitioners and media content creators in public relations firms and in the press and communications departments of companies and NGOs. Graduates also work as journalists, news researchers and broadcast production managers across web, radio, TV, video and print media. A sample of recent graduates' job titles include: