CIPR Specialist Diploma – Crisis Communications

Course Overview

The aim of the CIPR Specialist Diploma (Crisis Communications) is to enable the candidate to develop specialist knowledge and expertise in the contexts, concepts and practical tools of crisis response public relations. It is designed for both generalist public relations practitioners wishing to enhance their understanding of best practice preparation for crisis communications or for those looking to specialise in crisis communications as a career.

The CIPR Specialist Diploma (Crisis Communications) will be of interest to practitioners who have experience or responsibility for crisis planning, in consultancy or in-house, or in a related discipline within the strategic management framework. This qualification will equip the candidate with the knowledge and tools to contribute effectively to the organisation’s risk assessment, crisis preparations and management while meeting what is expected of an ethical practitioner in complex situations.

This course is aimed at experienced public relations practitioners who want to develop their expertise in the area of response and crisis management.

CIPR Specialist Diploma Crisis Communications

Aims of the module

The CIPR Specialist Diploma (Crisis Communications) introduces the theories and knowledge required to analyse the causes, and weigh the likelihood, of unexpected circumstances that demand urgent responses or that might lead to the need for crisis communications.

It considers the skills and knowledge needed for auditing, planning and managing public relations when the pressure mounts for an urgent response or during a crisis. An analytical perspective is applied to encourage candidates to take a reflective approach in examining their own experience alongside case studies of organisations and scenarios.

Module structure

The Crisis (Response) Communications Diploma covers topics including:

  • analysing the causes and assessing the likelihood of circumstances requiring crisis communications
  • contributing to the organisation’s risk assessment, crisis preparations
  • managing public relations during a crisis
  • ethical issues in complex situations.

Assessment Method

The assignment will comprise two elements:

1. A 3,000-word (+/- 10%) executive report

2. Supporting 2,000-word (+/- 10%) summary analysis of secondary research findings

Entry Requirements

You qualify for the Specialist Diploma (Crisis Communications) if you hold one or more of the following:

  • CIPR legacy Advanced Certificate or the Professional PR Certificate
  • 1 of the following plus 1 year’s relevant full-time employment in public relations (or related sectors, e.g. marketing, journalism) and 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, 1 of which must be in the English language:
    • Specialist Certificate (Internal Communications)
    • postgraduate professional qualification in a related discipline (e.g. CIM diploma)
    • UK Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a PR-related discipline: business, marketing, management, communications, media or journalism.
  • 1 of the following plus 2 years’ relevant full-time employment in public relations (or related sectors) and 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, 1 of which must be in the English language:
    • CAM Advanced Diploma in Marketing Communications
    • NCTJ Diploma
    • UK Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any other subject
    • LCCIEB qualification which must comprise 5 level-3 subjects in PR, marketing, advertising, and principles and practice of management.
  • 4 years’ relevant full-time employment in public relations (or related sectors) and 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, 1 of which must be in the English language.
  • In addition, those whose first language is not English must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the language – spoken and written – to an International Language Testing System (IELTS) band score of 6.5 or equivalent.

Course Dates

Our next cohort is due to start January 2025, for more information please contact jen.lorimer@nesma.co.uk

Cost

Tuition fee: £1349 + VAT | CIPR Assessment fee: £355 | CIPR Registration fee: £81

Level

Level 7 | Postgraduate Degree | 10/11 SQA

Duration

10 x 2-hour weekly sessions

Locations

  • Virtual

Next Start Date

January 2025
Contact Client Support for more details.

Learning Options

Virtual Learning Offering:

The Diploma is taught over 21 hours with a total of 10 x 2-hour daytime or evening teaching sessions, via Teams, with 2 x 30 minute 1:1 assignment feedback tutorials.

Our teaching is live and interactive reflecting our face to face teaching but online, for more information please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Need help deciding which course is right for you?
Call us on: +44 (0) 7734 222 254 or email: hello@nesma.co.uk