What Will I Study on a Graduate Certificate in Communication?

Are you looking for a communications career or to return to education but don’t know where to start? A graduate certificate in communication could be the perfect option, but what is it? Finding out what the course is and what you will study can be challenging, but we are here to help. Our guide shows you what you will study on the course, helping you to decide if it's the right course for you.

Group of University students studying together outdoors
Image by mego-studio on Freepik

What Is a Graduate Certificate in Communication?

A graduate certificate in communication is a postgraduate course that serves as the perfect introduction to communication. The course teaches you how to influence through strategy, align communications with organisational goals, and use applied learning to focus on the future in communications. The course can be delivered full-time or part-time, with many course providers offering the course online. With online learning, you can study flexibly, completing your units at a time that suits you, making it easy to work alongside studying.

What Will I Learn on a Graduate Certificate in Communication?

What you learn on a graduate certificate in communication varies depending on the course provider and the units that you choose. You need to complete three units to complete the course, but you are free to choose from a variety of foundation and advanced units. By choosing your own units, you can tailor the course to suit your needs and goals, providing you with the right education to excel in your goals. The unit titles and content can vary depending on your course provider, but you can expect to see the following units on your graduate certificate in communication:

Communication Techniques

Here, you will learn about communication theories and skills and how they can be applied to contemporary communication practice.

Strategic Communication

In this unit, you will explore key concepts, theories, and practices in the communication discipline. You will look at two-way communication, stakeholder management, and more to develop a situation analysis and strategic communication plan. Your plan will respond to and analyse real-world issues.

Social and Digital Media Communication

This foundational unit teaches you about social and digital media theory and strategy. You will look at the ethical and societal issues in social media and put your theory into practice.

Communication Campaigns

Here, you will gain experience in researching, developing, evaluating, and implementing a communication campaign. You will set goals and SMART objectives by using real-world scenarios as part of your communication campaigns.

Inclusive Communication

Inclusive communication is a vital part in any business communication, so it is important that you learn how to create inclusive communication. You will explore the different spectrums of accessibility, inclusiveness, and communication needs to help you understand the strategic elements of inclusive communication.

Ethical and Responsible Communication

You will uncover the key social, environmental and governance issues that organisations face today. You will learn how to respond to these issues, and implement best practice responsible and ethical communication.

Issues Management and Crisis Communication

This unit uses real-world case studies to show you the differences between a crisis and an organisational issue. You will learn how to apply reputation management strategies to a variety of scenarios, helping you to manage crisis situations in your new role.

Creative Communication

You will learn about developing a communication portfolio of creative works in different formats and mediums. You will learn about creative communication for digital and traditional platforms.

The Business of Communication

Here, you will learn about the social, economic, and political environments of business communication and their operations. You will build your commercial acumen skills that provide you with the means to lead improvements in communication quality. Doing so can help with effectiveness and drive ROI.

What Do I Need to Apply for a Graduate Certificate in Communication?

The entry requirements for a graduate certificate in communication vary depending on the course provider. However, you can expect to need either of the following to apply for your course:

What counts as relevant professional experience will vary depending on your course provider, so it is best to speak to them directly if you aren’t sure if your experience counts. You might also need to meet additional requirements if English is not your first language. The score of non-standard English language tests that you need to apply for the course can vary, but you can find this specific information in your course brochure.

Find Your Communication Course Today

A graduate certificate in communication provides you with an understanding of current communication theories and how to effectively put them into practice. It is an excellent option for anyone looking to kick start their communications career, so why not find your course today?