Introduction
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the professional body for Public Relations (PR) practitioners in the UK. With over 9,000 members, involved in all aspects of the public relations industry, it is the largest body of its type in Europe.
CIPR represents and serves the interests of people working in public relations worldwide. The institute offers access to informaiton, advice and support, and provides networking and training opportunities through a wide variety of events, conferences and workshops.
Course Objectives
The Diploma in Public Relations provides candidates with the knowledge and understanding of theory and practice, to develop as effective and efficient professionals. It provides an understanding of the strategic roles and management functions of PR and provides advanced capability in management and practice. The course provides an understanding of the strategic roles and functions of the public relations practitioners. The Diploma candidates appreciate the practice of public relations as a management function and are encouraged to analyze critically.
The Diploma level is for PR professionals or those without an industry specific qualification. The programme is designed to help equip those participating with the necessary skills and knowledge in the growing market of Public Relations and also provides the opportunity to secure the industry standard qualification. Candidates will examine case studies and will be given the opportunity to consider them with practitioners in workshops and by reference to recommended texts for a more theoretical examination. Candidates build case histories and find evidence for practical examples from a wide range of mediums; such as newspapers, the broadcast media, magazines, journals and other specialist publications
Entry Requirements
Applicants must satisfy at least one of the following:
■ Hold a Postgraduate level professional qualification;
■ Hold a degree in a related discipline (business, management, communications, etc) and have 1 year of full time employment in PR;
■ Hold a degree in ANY field plus 2 years PR experience;
■ Hold CIPRʼs advanced certificate;
■ Have at least 4 years of PR full time employment experience and a diploma from selected organizations in PR.
Course Structure and Details
The CIPR diploma has 3 units:
1. Strategic Public Relations: This unit examines the roles and the functions of the PR practitioner, analyses the strategic environment in which PR operates as a function and deals with PR’s role in modern society based on professional & academic frameworks.
2. Public Relations Management: This unit deals with how PR stands and operates within various organizations, when and how PR may be used, how PR plans and may be developed effectively and the role of research in PR.
3. Professional Reflection: This unit prepares candidates by providing knowledge on research methodologies adopted by PR practitioners and assists towards the preparation of a project in a specialist PR area. We offer CIPR through interactive workshops using a combination of theory and case studies. All our tutors are professionals with many years of related professional and teaching experience in related areas, so they can bring a relevant and current set of skills to the courses.
The study system includes material proposed by the CIPR and recommended texts are also proposed as additional reading.
Examination & Assessment
Unit 1 is assessed through a Critical Reasoning Test (CRT), Unit 2 through a 5,000 word assessment and Unit 3 through a 6,000 word report. The course is offered twice each year.
All candidates are required to become members of the CIPR. Application forms may be downloaded from the Institute’s website: www.cipr.co.uk. The CIPR diploma is responsible for maintaining the quality of the syllabus.
As is the case in most demanding professional qualifications; the CIPR may be seen as a benchmark title for practitioners of the industry, raising the standards in the PR field.
You can click here for the CIPR Program 2010