Tertiary Partnerships
As the engagement profession grows, there is increasing demand for professionally accredited tertiary courses (or subjects) in Australia and New Zealand. To address this demand, IAP2 Australasia is partnering with universities to create tertiary education opportunities for the engagement practice.
Master of Communication at RMIT University
The Master of Communication will build on your strengths in community engagement by providing you with the fundamentals of communication in a changing media and industry landscape, as well as providing insight into current trends and practice. The curriculum is delivered by a joint mix of academics and industry practitioners, giving you that balance across the theoretical and real-world application.
Offered through a blending learning pedagogy and a flexible combination of lectorials, seminars and studios both during semester and via intensives across the calendar year, this degree provides opportunities for individual exploration, teamwork projects, engagement in industry-based work and study tours.
You can study in-person, online, and will have access to course content in advance of set class times, to allow you to study at your own pace within your other commitments. Through our flex course scheduling, you can go as fast or slow as you wish to complete your studies.
An Agreement between IAP2 Australasia and RMIT provides IAP2 Australasia members with the opportunity to continue further study in community engagement with a Master of Communication at RMIT. Subjects focusing on civic engagement, communication for social change, stakeholder relations and emergent media, as well as audience engagement and analytics, form part of the suite of Master of Communication subjects.
Once enrolled, with intakes occurring twice a year, learners will work alongside a dedicated RMIT academic adviser from the Masters team to plot out a relevant study path, factoring in existing practitioner experience, focusing on community engagement.
With six core subjects, this is an ideal flexible postgraduate qualification for community engagement professionals seeking a qualification to enhance their own career management, by ensuring you have an exposure to the breadth of communication disciplines.
Importance is placed on work-integrated learning (WIL). Members of the teaching team have been internationally recognised as providing best practice WIL experiences to tertiary students. You will work with industry partners on industry projects. You also have the choice to build in an internship or placement using one of your electives, supported by RMIT’s strong industry links with the IAP2 Australasia.
Research is present throughout the degree and in second year, you will complete a professional research project that will be presented as an industry report, a minor thesis or a practice-based project (perhaps with your employer) accompanied by an exegesis. The choice is yours, and our academic advisers work with you to arrive at the best selection for you and your career aspirations, including the onward study of a PhD should you so desire.
Communication can build stronger, more cohesive and sustainable communities and societies. Your diverse teaching team – bringing together academic and industry prowess from professional experience working in communication across more than ten countries – emphasise values of innovation, kindness, passion, empathy, listening and the celebration of difference in their teaching, research and practice.
Visit the RMIT website to learn more about the Master of Communication.
Graduate Certificate in Communication (Engagement) at the University of Canberra
Community engagement and communication are increasingly being used as complementary approaches in programs across the public and not-for-profit sectors. To support both engagement and communication professionals in broadening their understanding of these disciplines, the University of Canberra is partnering with the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Australasia to offer graduates of the IAP2A Certificate in Engagement advanced standing in the tailored online Graduate Certificate in Communication (Engagement).
Studying the Graduate Certificate in Communication (Engagement) will suit those looking to enhance their existing skills and knowledge and support them to become emerging leaders in the communications industry. The program is one year part-time, with enrolment available in Semester 1 (February) or Semester 2 (July).
Graduates of the IAP2A Certificate with prerequisite professional experience and a completed bachelor’s degree are eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for the ‘Community Engagement’ unit, leaving only three units to meet the award requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Communication (Engagement).
Enjoy an immersive online learning experience where you’ll connect with an inspiring cohort of teachers and industry experts who share their experiences and mentor you through your learning.
Units studied include:
Communication and Behaviour Change
Communication is a fundamental aspect of our daily lives, and it plays a crucial role in shaping our behaviour and influencing the behaviour of those around us. This unit allows students to explore the role of communication in driving behaviour change, drawing on psychology, sociology, communication, and marketing theory to examine why behaviour change is sought, how it can be measured, and the different challenges that can arise in the process.
Strategic and Crisis Communication
This unit introduces students to the sub-fields of strategic and crisis communication, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to develop, present, and evaluate strategic and crisis communication messages and strategies. Students will learn how to navigate the complexities of communication in an increasingly mediated and networked world and gain an understanding of the responsibilities and obligations that come with communicating in the public sphere.
And a choice of either:
Communicating with Diverse Audiences
In this unit, students will learn about the information and communication needs and preferences of diverse groups, including First Nations communities and people who are marginalised and vulnerable. The unit explores what governments and communities around the globe learned about communicating with these groups in times of crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic and why these lessons should be incorporated into communication and engagement practice in and outside crises.
OR
Digital Data Analytics and Visualisation
In today’s digital age, data is king, and understanding how to collect, curate, analyse, and visualise digital data is essential to the success of any communication campaign. In this unit, students will learn how to develop effective communication strategies by understanding the data that drives them and how to design visualisations to communicate complex information in a clear and compelling way.
Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Communication (Engagement) are eligible to receive credit for 12 credit points (4 units) of their study into the Graduate Diploma in Communication or Master of Communication if they would like to undertake further qualifications.
Visit the UC website for information on the application and credit process for IAP2 Graduates.
Domestic entry to the Graduate Certificate in Communication (Engagement) is open to Australian and New Zealand graduates of the IAP2A Certificate.
Alternate entry pathways are available to IAP2A graduates without Bachelor’s qualifications. Please contact GCCEngage@canberra.edu.au with details of any qualifications held (e.g. Associate Degree, Diploma, Certificate IV or Year 12 Certificate) and your length of relevant work experience to see if you are eligible for alternate entry.
Have you got questions? Please get in touch: GCCEngage@canberra.edu.au.
