New CIPR Specialist Diploma in Digital Communications

The CIPR has launched a new Specialist Diploma with Digital Communications joining successful and popular qualifications in Internal Communication, Crisis Communications and Public Affairs.

These qualifications are designed for experienced professionals and deliver a post-graduate level focus on specialist knowledge within a strategic management framework.

I am very excited about the latest addition to the full range of CIPR qualifications having been involved in its inception and development, with my PR Academy colleague, Kevin Ruck.

Our vision was for a qualification that draws on theoretical and practical frameworks to underline the strategic purpose of social media and digital communications. We recognised the need for experienced practitioners to be able to anticipate and address the on-going disruptive impact of technological advances on organisations and wider society.

Studying for the qualification – which should take between six and eight months to complete and require 2-3 hours of study per week – will have immediate practical value, as well as becoming a recognised asset in developing a sustainable career.

There are many reasons why you should consider studying for the CIPR Specialist Diploma in Digital Communications – here are six:

• The course will provide you with a solid understanding of developments within this dynamic area of professional practice.
• It will enable you to examine digital communications from a critical perspective and implement – and evaluate – evidence-informed strategies.
• It will equip you with the knowledge to use digital technologies for reputation management and building relationships with online stakeholders, influencers and communities.
• It will enhance your strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities with a pro-active approach to creative and agile management of digital communications.
• It will help you to manage communication campaigns, through informed selection of digital platforms, content creation and curation tools, and emerging technologies.
• It will underline the legal and ethical implications of digital communications, enabling you to act as an informed strategic advisor and adopt best practices.

The need for a specialist qualification in digital communications is underlined by the 2019 CIPR State of the Profession report where technical and digital activities continue to be viewed primarily as tactics, often delegated to those with less experience.

Being responsible for employing digital communications effectively, efficiently and ethically requires a set of specialist management capabilities alongside digital literacy and on-the-job skills. This is the purpose of the new CIPR Specialist Diploma: Digital Communications.

As CIPR explains in its announcement of the new qualification:

“This qualification will equip the candidate with the knowledge and tools to contribute effectively to the organisation’s strategic management of digital communication and social media, while meeting what is expected of an ethical practitioner in complex situations”

“The course is designed for both agency and in-house PR practitioners working in public relations, corporate communication, marketing communication, internal communication, public affairs or media relations, who have experience or responsibility for digital communication.”

Find out more about studying the course with PR Academy including start dates and entry requirements.