CIPR Online Advanced Certificate

The CIPR Online Advanced Certificate in Public Relations is a degree level qualification. It gives you an excellent grounding in both theory and practice. It is a valuable qualification in its own right and also prepares you for the CIPR Diploma in Public Relations. It is a ten month course.

You will be working alongside other students, ‘meeting’ online for group work and discussion, all facilitated and supported by experienced and knowledgeable tutors. Everyone gets a personal tutor who will be in touch on a regular basis to help you keep on track.

It’s a course full of variety. As well as working online, there are two full day, face-to-face lecture and workshop sessions held in London . The Online Advanced Certificate uses the latest e-learning internet technology which is really easy to use so you don’t need any special computer skills.

The syllabus, assessments and resulting qualification are just the same as if you were studying using traditional methods.

Syllabus

The course comprises three units and three assessments. Click here for more information.

The Advanced Certificate is right for you if…

• You are interested in pursuing a career in PR
• You have been working in the PR industry at fairly junior levels for at least two years
• You are working in any field of Public Relations, for example media relations, internal communications, public affairs and would like your first professional qualification
• You like the idea of being able to work at your own pace
• You want flexibility, but you also want to be able to study and interact with others
• Work commitments mean you may struggle to get to lectures every week
• You don’t live near any of the centres that offer the Advanced Certificate

What it costs and what you get

Tuition fees are £1400 (plus VAT), payable to PR Academy. You will also need to pay an exam/awarding body fee to the CIPR (£780, no VAT) and they will invoice you for this separately. You will also need to become a member of the CIPR if you aren’t already.

What’s included in the tuition fees?

• Twelve months access to online learning resources provided through tailored e-learning software (including forums, e-book, slide packs, podcasts, case studies written specifically for the course by handpicked subject experts, extracts from other texts, example reports/plans, assignment submitting and pickup facility)
• Personal tutor support
• The e-book: “Exploring Public Relations” by Tench and Yeomans
• The e-book: “Evaluating Public Relations” by Watson and Noble
• The e-book: “Effective Writing Skills for Public Relations” by Foster
• Marked, mock assignment

Call charges for conference calls/webinars, any travel and any overnight accommodation costs must be met by the student.

Other things to know

Advanced Certificate graduates can become Associate Members of the CIPR and go on to study the CIPR Diploma. Advanced Certificate graduates with three years’ experience in PR will be eligible for full membership.

What you need to get started

• Access to a computer with internet access and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat Reader. A headset with mic for your PC for taking part in webinars.
• An email address
• 6-8 hours available each week/over the time of the course for your study

Course dates

Autumn 2010
start date:     29th September 2010

workshops:   27th October and 10th March 2011 – these will be held at The Hatton, 51-53 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8HN

Assignment deadlines:

CRT = 18th January 2011

Planning Assignment = 21st April 2011

Critique = 29th July 2011

Winter 2011

start date:     2nd February 2011

workshops:   8th March 2011 and 22nd June 2011 – these will be held at The Hatton, 51-53 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8H

Assignment deadlines:

CRT = 21st April 2011

Planning Assignment = 29th July 2011

Critique = 28th October 2011

How do I enrol?

Step one: Check that you meet the enrolment criteria. Click here to view.

Step two: Complete the application form on the CIPR website, go to: www.cipr.co.uk, then select ‘qualifications’/’advanced certificate’ and under quick links, select “How do I apply”?

Online demonstration

Click here to view the online demonstration of our tailored e-learning software.