Master of Communication | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Master of Communication

Program summary

Program title: Master of Communication
Award abbreviation:
MComn
Degree type: coursework
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 1 year minimum, 18 months maximum full-time; 2 years minimum, 3 years maximum part-time.
Commence: students may apply and start throughout the year, subject to program requirements.
Fee type 2010: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 12
USC program code: AR841
CRICOS code: 057539E

Program overview

This coursework-based Master's degree is designed for those who want to develop professional standing in the rapidly expanding field of professional communication. The degree is particularly designed to assist postgraduate students who have studied in fields or disciplines other than communications in their undergraduate degrees who wish to make a transition to journalism, professional writing, or public relations. Many media organisations place a premium on recruiting staff with degrees in fields such as science, law and business who also have postgraduate qualifications in relevant fields of communication.

The program offers opportunities to specialise in the broad area of Communication Studies or specific fields including Journalism, Public Relations and Creative Writing. Overall, you undertake the equivalent of 12 courses. After completing 8 courses, 5 of which are chosen as electives, you will complete a research project in which you may choose to either:

  • research for and write a thesis of 16,000 to 20,000 words, or
  • complete an industry-based research project

The research component involves individualised research relevant to your key area(s) of interest as professional communicators and is equivalent in value to four courses.

You may enrol at the start of any of the University's three semesters. You will attend lectures and tutorials with undergraduate students but learning and assessment tasks are commensurate with a postgraduate standing. Because of this standing, you will be exempt from many course prerequisites although you must complete compulsory courses in your selected areas of specialisation. Research components of the program must be approved by the Program Leader and based on the availability of supervisory staff with relevant expertise.

Admission requirements

Candidates for the award of Master of Communication are normally required to hold a Bachelor's degree or a relevant Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma. To be eligible to undertake this degree, you must not have undertaken a previous degree in communication, journalism, creative writing or public relations, or a major or minor in any of the foregoing fields of study. You cannot undertake any course in this degree that you have completed previously at an undergraduate level. If you have completed a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in communication, journalism, creative writing or public relations you may apply to receive advanced standing into this award for coursework components only. No advanced standing may be awarded for the thesis component. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.

Advanced standing
  • If you have an undergraduate qualification no advanced standing will be granted.
  • If you have completed relevant postgraduate subjects you may apply for advanced standing up to a maximum of 50 percent for the Master of Communication.

Program structure

You may undertake courses in the broad area of Communication Studies or specialise in the fields of Creative Writing, Journalism, or Public Relations. You must complete two required courses and a research project or thesis. Course selections depend on chosen fields of study as follows:

Required courses

Please note: you must discuss coursework selection with the program coordinator and receive written approval prior to enrolment through Student Administration.

2 required courses:
CMN102 Contemporary Accounting Issues
CMN574 Auditing and Professional Practice

Electives

Select 6 courses from the 4 options, as follows:

Option 1: Creative Writing
CMN116 Economics for Managers

Plus select 5 courses from:

CMN238 Global Business Management
CMN246 Innovation Management and Professional Development
CMN247 Marketing in a Global Environment
CMN260 Managing Across Global Cultures
CMN266 International Trade and Finance
CMN267 Innovation Management and Professional Development
EGL201 International Trade and Finance
EGL285 Managing Across Global Cultures

Option 2: Journalism
CMN130 Introduction to Journalism

Plus select 5 courses from:
CMN213 Marketing in a Global Environment
CMN214 Economics for Managers
CMN227 Global Business Management
CMN228 Leadership in Clinical Practice
CMN235 Qualitative Research: Approaches and Practice
CMN237 Quantitative Research Methods
CMN240 Research in Health Care
CMN249 Special Project: Evaluating Practice Knowledge
CMN256 Learning and Teaching in the Practice Environment
CMN272 Special Project: Translating Knowledge into Practice #
INT270 Learning and Teaching in the Practice Environment

Option 3: Public Relations
CMN120 Research in Health Care

Plus select 5 courses from:
CMN213 Special Project: Evaluating Practice Knowledge
CMN216 Leadership in Clinical Practice
CMN218 Qualitative Research: Approaches and Practice
CMN231 Quantitative Research Methods
CMN224 Special Project: Translating Knowledge into Practice
CMN226 Communication Theory and Practice
CMN228 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review
CMN229 Introduction to Creative Writing
CMN243 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero #
CMN248 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
CMN251 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
CMN273 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas #

Option 4: Communication Studies
Select 1 course from:
CMN116 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics
CMN120 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns
CMN130 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
CMN140 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature

Plus select 5 courses from
(provided prerequisite equivalency has been approved by the course coordinator):
CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN214 Computer-Assisted Reporting
CMN216 News Rounds
CMN218 The Writer and the Law
CMN226 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN228 Online Journalism
CMN229 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing
CMN231 Advanced News Reporting
CMN235 Research into Journalism
CMN237 Industry Research Project (Journalism)
CMN238 Politics and the Media
CMN240 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics
CMN243 Editing for the Communications Professional #
CMN246 Crisis and Issues Management
CMN247 Media and Community Relations
CMN248 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN249 Advertising Campaigns
CMN251 Advertising: Copy and Image
CMN256 The Writer and the Law
CMN260 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality
CMN266 Public Relations Events Project
CMN267 Creative Advertising
EGL201 International Communication
EGL285 Internship/Research Project (Professional Communication)
ENP240 Introduction to Creative Writing
INT270 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics

Thesis or industry research project

The thesis or industry research project is to be equivalent to 4 courses. 

Program requirements and notes

  1. Students are required to successfully complete 12 courses as specified in the Master of Communication program structure.
  2. Refer to the Academic Rules for further information.
  3. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
  4. Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.

Enquiries

How to apply

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259

Program Leader
Anna Potter
Tel: +61 7 5430 2846
Email: apotter@usc.edu.au

# Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences approval is required prior to enrolling in this course.

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