Master of Public Relations
This program requires the completion of 5.0 units which includes a 0.5 unit project seminar.
Program Requirements
Required Courses:
GPRL 6101 Quantitative & Qualitative Research in Public Relations 0.5 unit
Prerequisites: admission to the MA(Communication), MPR or permission of the instructor
An examination of the methods, problems and theoretical assumptions in qualitative and quantitative social science research as it applies to Public Relations. Students will consider the relationships between theory and method, and will gain experience by applying research methods.
GPRL 6104 Organizational Theory & Public Relations Leadership 0.5 unit
Prerequisites: admission to the MA(Communication), MPR or permission of the instructor
Advanced study of specific areas of communication theory related to organizational theory and management. Topics may include: historical and contemporary issues in organizational communication scholarship; theories of organizational and management process; the impact of technology on organization and management process; and internal and external corporate rhetoric, and ethics.
GPRL 6301 Ethical Decision Making 0.5 unit
Prerequisite: Admission to the MPR program, or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to ethical theory and practical ethical problems in an organizational setting. The focus of the course will be on using the stakeholder model of business ethics to analyze ethical issues that may arise in the functional areas of business along with the code of ethics for PR professionals.
GPRL 6302 Strategic Management 0.5 unit
Prerequisite: Admission to the MPR program, or permission of the instructor.
An examination of the strategic management of organizations, including the formulation of long-term strategic implementation. This course provides students with an understanding of the approaches and tools for planning and controlling strategy as well as experience in case analysis.
GPRL 6303 Digital Media Communication Management 0.5 unit
Prerequisite: Admission to the MPR program, or permission of the instructor.
An overview of the role of digital media in professional communication. The course aims to develop the critical thinking skills needed by today’s communication managers to create effective digital media programs and projects.
GPRL 6304 Strategic Public Relations 0.5 unit
Prerequisite: Admission to the MPR program, or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to the management function of public relations. This course focuses on the application of strategic management techniques to organizational communication process and stakeholder relations.
GPRL 6310 Capstone Project Seminar 0.5 unit
Prerequisites: GPRL 6101 and 6104. This course must be taken in a student’s final term prior to graduation.
A capstone exploration of applied theory, research and practice in communication management and leadership. The course focus is on application of learning and perspectives acquired throughout the degree to a client case, context or management problem. Projects will be designed by the individual student in consultation with the faculty member. Note: This course may not count for credit towards the MA(Communication).
1.5 unit of electives chosen from the following:
GPRL 6305 Financial Management for PR Managers 0.5 unit
Prerequisite: Admission to the MPR program, or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to the use of financial statements and reports for strategic decision-making for the non-finance manager. Prior knowledge of finance and accounting are not required as the courses focuses on understanding and examining financial statements and their impact on organizational communication and strategy.
GPRL 6306 Integrated Marketing Communications 0.5 unit
Prerequisite: Admission to the MPR program, or permission of the instructor.
An in-depth analysis of the integrated nature of professional communication within a multi-platform context. Organizations must consider how media messages combine to deliver the desired communication to targeted audiences. This course provides learners with an advanced understanding of how to plan, organize and execute an integrated plan for marketing purposes.
GPRL 6307 Crisis Communication 0.5 unit
Prerequisite: Admission to the MPR program, or permission of the instructor.
An examination of theories of crisis communication management and the challenges of implementing that theory in practice. Equal emphasis will be given to exploring the current scholarly discourse and to applying the lessons of that research to current and unfolding crises in the news.
GPRL 6308 Organizational Behaviour for Public Relations Managers 0.5 unit
Prerequisite: Admission to the MPR program, or permission of the instructor.
A multidisciplinary approach to the study of human behavior in organizations from the individual, group, and organizational levels. This course provides an exploration of the ways in which psychological and social processes as well as organizational characteristics influence organizational behaviour.
GPRL 6511 Health Communication: Theory & Practice 0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PBRL 3014 or COMM 4500 or admission to the MPR or MA(Communication) program or permission of the instructor
An examination of health communication theory and practice at the level of public communication. Topics include an examination of health in Canadian society, health communication models, health communication campaign planning, evaluation of outcomes of social marketing and other approaches to behaviour change, and relevant ethical considerations.
Students may take up to 0.5 units of elective outside of the MPR program upon approval of their faculty advisor. The approval of electives from another institution will align with the Letter of Permission (Section 2.2.6 of the Graduate Academic Calendar) process.
Please check the academic calendar for the most up-to-date program requirements.
