Strategic communication

Why study Strategic communication?

How do community organisations communicate to the public as well as building their profile? How do corporations develop a brand and then protect it when crises arise? How do emergency bodies warn the public when danger threatens?

How do they build public trust so their warnings will be delivered? How do health agencies shape campaign to change behaviour on smoking, eating, and exercise?  How do politicians shape or challenge public opinion? These are all roles fulfilled by strategic communication practitioners.

Employment in the fields covered by strategic communication is growing as government departments and agencies, charities, community groups and corporations all expand their various forms of communication. This industry-focused degree provides a thorough practical grounding in the realities and challenges of public relations.

Career opportunities

Public relations, marketing, journalism, media, advertising and sales promotion. It can lead to roles such as account executive, journalist, media broadcaster, strategic planner and communications adviser.

Courses

Local students

2013

Bachelor of Strategic Communication

Duration :
3 years full-time or part-time equivalent.
Semester starts :
Semester 1 and 2 (February and July)
Campus/ATAR:
Bendigo 58.7
Melbourne 70.2
Year
2013
Course description
The growth of internet and social media communication alongside traditional media has made communication strategy critically important for organisations around the world.

This industry-focused degree provides a thorough practical grounding in the realities and challenges of public relations. With practical insights into professional communication careers, this course offers training in developing and implementing ethical and effective communication strategies.

Students will learn how to analyse and understand public relations, advertising, marketing and journalism and how they combine to shape public attitudes and actions. Students will also have the opportunity to undertake internships as part of their course, gaining valuable experience and a network of contacts.

The course provides an outstanding grounding for careers in public relations and marketing communications. Accreditation with the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) is currently being negotiated.
Prerequisite
VCE Units 3 & 4: study score of at least 30 in English (ESL) or 25 in any other English.
Year 12 and non-year 12 extra requirements
Guaranteed Entry (Year 12 applicants only): applicants with an ATAR of 90 or above receive a first-round offer. Those with lower ATARs are considered through normal selection processes.

Non-Year 12 selection may be based on ATAR, VTAC Personal History online, GPA, STAT Multiple Choice, and/or an essay.

If you didnt get the ATAR there are other ways to get into this course.

Non-Year 12 applicants must complete and submit a VTAC Personal History online if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include information such as work experience or reasons for applying. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application.

For more information about VTAC Personal History online please visit our Extra Requirements page.
Middle band
Re-ranking is based on performance in English (any), Humanities (any), LOTE (any), Drama, Theatre Studies, Legal Studies and Psychology. Consideration is also given to Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) criteria.
Fee amount
Indicative (2010): CSP student contribution $5,310 (per 120 credit points).
How to apply
Apply direct to the University for Semester 1 or Semester 2, 2013.
Professional recognition
La Trobe is submitting an application for course accreditation to the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA).
Full course details
Strategic CommunicationMelbourne
Strategic CommunicationBendigo

Want to know more?

Feel free to ask us a question about any course for local students.

Fees and scholarships

Undergraduate courses are Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) for eligible Australian and New Zealand citizens. The domestic fee calculator can be used to calculate the cost of subjects this year.

There is also a wide range of scholarships available for local students. 

International students

2013

Bachelor of Strategic Communication (075108A)

Duration :
3 years
Semester starts :
Semester 1 and 2 (March and July)
Annual Tution Fee (AUD) :
22 750
Campus
Bendigo, Melbourne
Year
2013
Course description
The growth of internet and social media communication alongside traditional media has made communication strategy critically important for organisations around the world.

This industry-focused degree provides a thorough practical grounding in the realities and challenges of public relations. With practical insights into professional communication careers, this course offers training in developing and implementing ethical and effective communication strategies.

Students will learn how to analyse and understand public relations, advertising, marketing and journalism and how they combine to shape public attitudes and actions. Students will also have the opportunity to undertake internships as part of their course, gaining valuable experience and a network of contacts.

The course provides an outstanding grounding for careers in public relations and marketing communications. Accreditation with the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) is currently being negotiated.
Bendigo, Melbourne
English Language Requirements
Successful completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70%) PG1) level conducted by La Trobe Melbourne; for more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website

IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0.

TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English).

TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22.

La Trobe Melbourne Foundation Studies: 70 per cent final result in a course.

English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted.
Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English)
for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0.

Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59.

Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher.

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher.

or approved international equivalent.
Bendigo, Melbourne
Academic entry requirements
LTM Foundation Studies - 85
Aust. Yr 12 (ATAR) 2012 (indicative only)- 72.45 Melbourne campus
International Baccalaureate - 25
GCE A Levels - 9
Hong Kong A Levels - 7
HKDSE - 2x Level 5
Sri Lankan A Levels - BCC
STPM - 9
MICSS (UEC) - 4
Canada Secondary School (or CPU) - 85
Norway Upper Secondary Certificate - 4.5
Sweden Slutbetyg - G/VG
All Indian Sen SC (Best 5 Subjects) - 80
Vietnam (Year 12) - 8.5
Indonesia (SMA) - 8
GAC Cert. IV - GPA 3.3
GAOKAO - see: our website
Bendigo, Melbourne
Professional recognition
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has applied for accreditation of the degree with the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA).
Bendigo, Melbourne
Full course details
Strategic CommunicationMelbourne
Strategic CommunicationBendigo

How to apply?

Enquire now about any course for international students or find out how to apply.

Fees and scholarships

Estimated fees for international students are indicated for each course above. Fees are indicative only and set at 120 credit points per course, unless otherwise stated, and may vary depending on the number of credit points in which students enrol. Some courses may vary in credit point load and fees will be adjusted accordingly.

There is also a range of scholarships available for international students to assist students.

Your study experience

Other ways into undergraduate study

Learn how you can plan a pathway into your preferred degree, including single subject entry. See also La Trobe University Access and Equity programs which support a variety of ways into undergraduate study for applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage.

Strategic communication placement opportunities

A media internship (MST3INT) is available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Media Studies and the Bachelor of Journalism. In this unit, students will develop contacts with, and work in, a media organisation. Students will develop an understanding of issues internal to the organisation such as its goals, structure, management and work practices.

Overseas study opportunities

Students have the opportunity to go on exchange with our main US partner, the Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia, Missouri - the oldest journalism school in the world. Students can also take advantage of La Trobe's Journalism links with the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York; and Queen Margaret College in Edinburgh, Scotland. Also, our students have studied at a range of University of California campuses.  To learn more, please visit the Study Abroad program.

Student work

upstart is a project of La Trobe's Journalism, Media Studies and Cinema Studies programs. The site showcases the writing of emerging journalists.

Student and graduate profiles

Students of the Faculty talk about their experience at La Trobe.

About the academic staff

You'll get to meet a large number of academics during your course, from tutors through to lecturers. You can view all the staff from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences or focus on staff in Strategic communication.

Strategic communication events

There are no upcoming Strategic communication events. Browse other events.