The Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Communication from the University of Canterbury is a fully online, part-time qualification designed to deepen knowledge and skills in strategic communication. It includes courses on communication ethics, leadership, crisis communication, public diplomacy, data analysis, campaign planning and execution, and digital marketing. It prepares professionals to lead purposeful, data-informed campaigns across various sectors including government, corporate, nonprofit, and community contexts. With flexible study options, learners can exit early with a Postgraduate Certificate or credit courses towards a Master's degree. The program emphasizes practical skills, ethical considerations, and data-driven decision-making.

Course Content

• Building Influence: Strategic Communication, Organisational Identity and Change (COMS430)

• The Dynamic of Publics: Partnership, Participation and Power (COMS431)

• Building Impactful Campaigns: Research, Strategy and Ethical Practice (COMS432)

• Campaign Success: Messaging, Tactics and Pitching with Impact (COMS433)

• Mapping Meaning: Tools for Qualitative Data Analysis (COMS434)

• Good Data and How to Use It: Measuring Impact in Strategic Communication (COMS435)

• Crisis Management in Strategic Communication (COMS436) - elective

• Leadership Communication for Workplace Engagement (COMS438) - elective

• Professional Pathways in Strategic Communication (COMS437) - elective

• Digital Marketing (MKTG640) - elective

• Content and Social Media Marketing (MKTG642) - elective