Diploma in Defence Communications Ethics
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in defence communications ethics, structured in 8 modules covering public communication ethics, strategic communication in defence, disinformation and interference, media relations, crisis communication, law and fundamental rights (Spanish Constitution article 20, Law 19/2013, Regulation (EU) 2022/2065), and AI and platforms, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Defence Communications Ethics — studying from Canada
Canada's defence sector is centred on procurement and sustainment through the Department of National Defence and Defence Research and Development Canada. Industrial activity spans land vehicles, naval systems, avionics and electronics, with firms in Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. Companies such as General Dynamics Land Systems Canada and Lockheed Martin Canada are notable employers, alongside a broad base of small and medium suppliers. Engineers work on systems integration, vehicle protection, logistics and sustainment, operating within strict security and export control frameworks.
Fees for Canada: C$1,700 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Which Canadian bodies or processes govern defence engineering recognition?
Defence engineering in Canada often involves government procurement and security clearances, and engineers typically hold provincial Professional Engineer licences where a title is required. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not official state degrees or accredited by a national body, so they do not confer licensing or clearance. Recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide, so verify this first.
Would Canadian defence or land systems employers accept this training?
Canadian defence employers and contractors generally rely on security clearance, licensing and demonstrated experience. A private qualification may support your application, but it is unlikely to replace those requirements, and its acceptance is up to each employer. A SEIUM final project can help show applied skill, so discuss expectations with prospective employers early.
Can I study remotely while working, and what are the costs and language demands?
Yes, the programmes are fully online, so you can study from Canada or elsewhere without a student visa, and fit sessions around work. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. Teaching is in English, supported by an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be available.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Apply ethical principles to public defence communication.
Distinguish legitimate strategic communication from propaganda.
Detect and analyse disinformation campaigns.
Manage media relations transparently.
Design crisis communication plans.
Know the legal framework for freedom of information.
Assess the ethical use of AI in communication.
Who it's for
- Institutional communication managers.
- Disinformation analysts.
- Spokespersons for defence organisations.
- Strategic communication advisers.
- Institutional social media managers.
- Communication ethics consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- Spanish Constitution, article 20 (freedom of expression and information)
- Spanish Law 19/2013 on Transparency (access to public information and good governance)
- Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act)
- Organic Law 9/2011 (rights and duties of members of the Spanish Armed Forces)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (EU Artificial Intelligence Act)
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (UN treaty on civil and political rights)
- Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions (protection of victims of international armed conflicts)
- InVID-WeVerify
- Meltwater
- Gephi
- Hootsuite
8 modules
1.1Communication ethics1.2Truth and truthfulness1.3Transparency versus security1.4The duty to inform1.5Institutional communication1.6Journalistic codes of ethics1.7Military ethics and communication1.8Public trust1.9Accountability1.10Practical exercise: analysis of official statements
2.1NATO strategic communications2.2Public diplomacy2.3Public affairs2.4Information operations in doctrine2.5The boundaries between information and propaganda2.6Building narratives2.7Audience analysis2.8Institutional social media2.9Impact assessment2.10Case study: comparison of strategic communication doctrines
3.1Types of disinformation3.2Foreign information manipulation and interference3.3The EUvsDisinfo project3.4Bots and coordinated networks3.5Synthetic content3.6Verification techniques3.7Societal resilience3.8The EU Action Plan3.9The Digital Services Act3.10Workshop: verification of a viral piece of content
4.1Journalists embedded in units4.2Access to information4.3News embargoes4.4Press freedom4.5Protection of sources4.6Journalist safety4.7Spanish Transparency Law 19/20134.8Classified matters4.9Acting as spokesperson4.10Case study: press conference after an accident
5.1Preventive planning5.2Key messages5.3Support for victims and families5.4Acknowledging mistakes5.5Social media management5.6Rumours5.7Inter-agency coordination5.8Post-crisis evaluation5.9Benchmark cases5.10Practical exercise: crisis communication plan
6.1Article 20 of the Spanish Constitution6.2Freedom of expression of military personnel6.3Organic Law 9/20116.4Data protection and image rights6.5The prohibition of propaganda for war6.6Protection of journalists under IHL6.7Institutional responsibility6.8Relevant case law6.9Institutional advertising6.10Workshop: legal analysis of a publication
7.1Generative AI in communication7.2Labelling of synthetic content7.3Recommendation algorithms7.4Microtargeting7.5The ethics of persuasion7.6Human oversight7.7The EU AI Act7.8Platform governance7.9Future trends7.10Case study: AI policy for a communications office
8.1Organisational context8.2Communication diagnosis8.3Ethical and legal framework8.4Audiences and channels8.5Messaging strategy8.6Crisis protocol8.7Evaluation indicators8.8Code of good practice8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme can be combined with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original legislation and applied exercises. The working software is InVID-WeVerify, Meltwater, Gephi and Hootsuite, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for analysing disinformation campaigns, crisis communication drills and institutional communication audits. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: Spanish Constitution, article 20, Spanish Law 19/2013 on Transparency, Regulation (EU) 2022/2065, Organic Law 9/2011, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with InVID-WeVerify, Meltwater, Gephi and Hootsuite, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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