BP354 - Bachelor of Professional Communication
Plan: BP354 - Bachelor of Professional Communication
Campus: City Campus
Overview
Program detailsPurpose of the ProgramArticulation and pathwaysEntrance requirementsExternal accreditation and industry linksStudent expenses and charges in addition to feesLibrary, IT and specialist resourcesProgram details
Award title: Bachelor of Professional Communication
Award abbreviation: BProfComm
Total credit points: 288
Career: UGRD
Duration: 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Location: Melbourne, City Campus
Owning school: Media and Communication (345H)
Owning school URL: www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/media-and-communication
ASCED code: 100799
CRICOS code: 113705E
Top of pagePurpose of the Program
The Bachelor of Professional Communication prepares you for a career in the communication industry by providing diverse opportunities to engage in the different aspects of the field. The interdisciplinary nature of this program reflects the workplace reality of increasing integration of Professional Communication roles and functions. You will combine professionally oriented skills with theoretical and industry-based knowledge in the various areas of professional communication practice. The program encourages creative and critical thinking and offers diversity in approaches to support your learning.
The Bachelor of Professional Communication begins with a foundation block of four introductory courses. Building on this, you can choose to complete a single major in Advertising, Digital Communication or Public Relations, or a double major in two of these disciplines. Supporting and enhancing the majors is a suite of discipline and interest related minors that allow you to select courses that suit your interests and future career directions.
You will experience a variety of interactive learning and teaching approaches, both on campus and in work-integrated learning environments. Through a combination of lectorials, project work, workshops, tutorials, and work integrated learning, you will engage in individual and team-based projects. This program is delivered on campus, however courses in this program use blended delivery, which is a mixture of face-to-face and online delivery to enable meaningful, flexible and inclusive learning experiences. Some courses are predominantly face-to-face with some online learning components, while others are mostly online, with some campus-based classes. A range of blended learning teaching strategies are used to enhance the effectiveness of delivery and tailor your learning experience.
This program gives you an opportunity, dependent on course selection to build workplace experience through internships and other practice-based courses. For each major there is a capstone course where you will showcase the knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout your program. You will propose and work on a project of your choice (individually or collaboratively).
Specifically, the capstone couses are:
- Advertising: COMM2912 Advertising Capstone Project
- Digital Communication: COMM2919 Digital Communication Capstone Project
- Public Relations: COMM2924 Public Relations Capstone Project
If you choose one major, you will complete three minors or two minors and a selection of four courses from program option courses and university electives. If you choose a double major, you can choose to complete one minor, or a selection of four courses from the program option courses and university electives. A Minor is a grouping of courses that runs parallel with your major courses, developing and broadening your knowledge and skill in other specialised areas. The range of Minors on offer to you are:
- Advertising
- Approaches to Popular Culture
- Asian Media and Culture
- Business and Technology
- Cinema Studies
- Contemporary Politics and Communication
- Digital Communication
- Entrepreneurship
- Gender Studies
- Journalism
- Literary Studies
- Marketing
- Media
- Photography Foundation
- Public Relations
Upon completion of the program, you will be a practitioner with one or two specialisations in the professional communication industries and have a range of interdisciplinary knowledge and skills. You will be able to analyse issues, work with others and communicate informed ideas and apply independent judgement to problems within a global communication context.
By the end of your studies, you will have the knowledge and skills required to meet the demands of increasingly globalised and technology-driven professional communication industries and roles. The program has strong links to the Professional Communication programs in Vietnam and Singapore with shared courses and learning experiences.
Graduates in this program can expect to work in professional contexts, both local and international, in a variety of areas such as advertising agencies, public relations consultancies, and in digital communication roles for social media platforms, companies, governments and non-government agencies. Professional Communication graduates can also set up their own businesses and consultancies.
Top of pageArticulation and pathways
Successful completion of RMIT’s Associate Degree in Professional Writing and Editing guarantees entry into this program with 96 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 1-year full-time study) for students undertaking a single major, or 48 credit points of exemption (equivalent to 1 semester full-time study) for students undertaking a double major.
Successful completion of RMIT’s Diploma of Business (Public Relations) guarantees entry into this program with 96 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 1-year full-time study) for students undertaking a single major, or 60 credit points of exemption (equivalent to 1 semester full-time study) for students undertaking a double major.
Successful completion of RMIT’s Diploma of Marketing and Communication guarantees entry into this program with 96 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 1-year full-time study) for students undertaking a single major, or 60 credit points of exemption (equivalent to 1 semester full-time study) for students undertaking a double major.
Successful completion of RMIT’s Diploma of Social Media Marketing guarantees entry into this program with 96 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 1-year full-time study) for students undertaking a single major, or 48 credit points of exemption (equivalent to 1 semester full-time study) for students undertaking a double major.
If you have already developed areas of skill and knowledge included in this program (for example, through prior studies or work experience), you can apply for credit once you have enrolled in this program.
Upon successful completion of this program you may be eligible to undertake further studies in RMIT University programs including BH066 Bachelor of Communication (Honours) subject to meeting this program's entry requirements.
Top of pageEntrance requirements
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school) qualification.
For equivalents to Australian academic entry requirements, see the Country Equivalency web page on the RMIT website.
Prerequisites
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.
International English language requirement
A minimum of IELTS (Academic module) overall score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent. For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the English requirements web page.
Top of pageExternal accreditation and industry links
In Australia, there are no professional bodies that recognise or accredit programs in Professional Communication. As such, this program is not accredited by any professional organisation.
Program staff have close links with the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and other industry bodies such as the International Association of Business Communicators. Industry practitioners with a wide range of roles, backgrounds and skills in Advertising, Public Relations and Digital Communication are involved in program development. They also provide regular input on industry trends and needs, employment trends and other issues via the Professional Communication Industry Advisory Committee, comprised of industry representatives from consultancy, government, not-for-profit and other public and private sector organisations. This ensures that the degree reflects current developments in industry, and graduates are well positioned for employment.
Industry practitioners are regular guest presenters, and some are more closely involved in the program as tutors and seminar convenors.
Through industry networks, and RMIT’s outstanding reputation for Advertising, Public Relations and Professional Communication education and research, the program is also able to offer internships and a range of other high-quality practical Professional Communication projects and experiences to you as part of your studies.
Top of pageStudent expenses and charges in addition to fees
Once you are enrolled as a student in this program you will need to allow for expenses other than university tuition fees. Additional expenses may relate to the purchase of lecture notes, textbooks, stationery, consumables such as printer paper, fees levied by commercial internet service providers for internet access outside of the university campus, and other relevant costs.
Top of pageLibrary, IT and specialist resources
Library resources and services
RMIT Library provides extensive resources, services and study space. All RMIT students have access to scholarly resources including course related material, books, e-books, journals and databases.
One-on-one study support is available for assistance with assignment preparation, academic writing, referencing, maths and study skills. To contact Library staff for help, phone, email or chat via the Ask the Library service. Find more information on Library resources and services at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library.
For information resources relevant to Media and Communication, refer to: https://rmit.libguides.com/media-and-communication
Online learning tools and content
You can access online learning tools and content for your program and associated courses at myRMIT www.rmit.edu.au/myrmit
Services available to you as a student at RMIT University
RMIT University provides a wide range of resources and opportunities to assist your learning and wellbeing so you can achieve your study and career goals.
Services are available face to face and online assisting with:
- transition to tertiary study and learning
- enabling assistance if you have a disability, long term medical condition or other form of disadvantage which may impact on your learning
- career development and employment
- living and wellbeing (including advice on health, housing and financial matters)
- opportunities for scholarships, leadership and study abroad
- opportunities for participating in arts, sport, recreation, fitness activities as well as student activism and university governance
We also offer a friendly and supportive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. You can find more information at www.rmit.edu.au/students.
IT and Wireless
If you have a laptop or other wireless-enabled device you can connect to RMIT’s fast Wi-Fi. While on campus, no matter how you work or where you work, you’re able to connect, collaborate and create using this secure network. In addition, with myDesktop, you can access your RMIT desktop and applications from home or wherever you have an internet connection.
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