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: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Fee type 2011: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 12
USC program code: AR841
CRICOS code: 057539E

Highlights
  • Enhance your writing and communication skills
  • Discover the nuances of journalistic reporting
  • Create a portfolio of published works

Develop your writing proficiency and improve your job prospects.

The Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Communication offers you an opportunity to develop skills in contemporary communication. The programs will be attractive to professionals in the corporate or government sectors looking to upgrade their qualifications and expertise in a short time, and gain a qualification that has relevance, currency and credibility.

The ability to write and communicate well is becoming increasingly important. Employers are looking for people with the ability to write and communicate in an effective, efficient and lucid fashion. These programs impart knowledge and skills for both professional and business writing, and written communication in general.

The coursework-based Master of Communication is for those who want to develop or enrich their expertise in the rapidly expanding field of professional communication. It is ideal if you have studied in another discipline and wish to make a transition to journalism, professional writing, editing or public relations. Many media organisations place a premium on recruiting staff with degrees in fields such as science, law and business that also have postgraduate qualifications in relevant fields of communication.

You have the opportunity to specialise in the broad area of Communication Studies or the specific fields of Journalism, Public Relations or Creative Writing. Overall, you undertake the equivalent of 12 courses. After completing eight courses, five of which are electives, you complete a research project in which you 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 a professional communicator. It is equivalent in value to four courses.

You 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 are 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. Normally you will be precluded from pursuing a communications specialisation in a field such as Creative Writing, Journalism, or Public Relations if you have previously completed specialisations in the same area at undergraduate level. 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 credit transfer into this award for coursework components only. No credit transfer may be awarded for the thesis component. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.

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

Study Plan

This Study Plan is valid from Study Period 1, 2011.

For students who commenced study in this program prior to Study Period 1, 2011:

  • Find the Student Handbook for the semester in which you commenced.
  • Select the program in which you are enrolled.
  • Scroll down to your relevant Program Structure.
Program requirements and notes
  • Students are required to successfully complete 8 required courses, and a thesis or industry research project equivalent to 4 courses.
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
  • If you have an undergraduate qualification no credit transfer will be granted.
  • If you have completed relevant postgraduate subjects you may apply for credit transfer up to a maximum of 50 percent for the Master of Communication.
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Program structure

Required courses: (2)

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN102 Participation and Conflict Resolution
CMN574 Integrated Environmental Management


Elective Courses: (6)
Select 6 courses from one of the four options, as follows:

Option 1: Creative Writing

Required Elective: (1)

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN116 Microbiology


PLUS select 5 courses from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN238 Medical Microbiology
CMN246 Professional Practice: Legal Frameworks and Issues
CMN247 Food Safety: Laws, Regulations and Quality Assurance
CMN260 Health Promotion Needs Assessment and Planning
CMN266 Environmental Health Risk Management
CMN267 Environmental Health Practicum
EGL201 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
EGL285 Communication Theory and Practice


Option 2: Journalism

Required Elective: (1)

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN130 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review


PLUS select 5 courses from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN213 Introduction to Creative Writing
CMN214 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero
CMN227 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
CMN228 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
CMN235 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas
CMN237 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics
CMN240 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns
CMN249 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
CMN256 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature
CMN272 Introduction to Journalism
INT270 Editing for the Communications Professional

Option 3: Public Relations


Required Elective: (1)

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN120 Computer-Assisted Reporting


PLUS select 5 courses from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN213 News Rounds
CMN216 The Writer and the Law
CMN218 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN231 Online Journalism
CMN224 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing
CMN226 Advanced News Reporting
CMN228 Research into Journalism
CMN229 Industry Research Project (Journalism)
CMN243 Politics and the Media
CMN248 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics
CMN251 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN273 Crisis and Issues Management


Option 4: Communication Studies

Select 1 course from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN116 Media and Community Relations
CMN120 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN130 Advertising Campaigns
CMN140 Advertising: Copy and Image


PLUS select 5 courses from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN213 The Writer and the Law
CMN214 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality
CMN216 Public Relations Events Project
CMN218 Creative Advertising
CMN222 International Communication
CMN226 Internship/Research Project (Professional Communication)
CMN228 Introduction to Creative Writing
CMN229 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics
CMN231 Introduction to Journalism
CMN235 Introduction to Creative Advertising
CMN237 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN238 Computer-Assisted Reporting
CMN240 Crisis and Issues Management
CMN243 Media and Community Relations
CMN246 Multimedia Advertising
CMN247 Advertising: Copy and Image
CMN248 The Writer and the Law
CMN249 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality
CMN251 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN256 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN260 Online Journalism
CMN266 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero
CMN267 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing
EGL201 Public Relations Events Project
EGL285 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
ENP240 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
INT270 Creative Advertising


Thesis or industry research project

The thesis or industry research project is to be equivalent to 4 courses (48 Units)

TOTAL UNITS 144

The University attempts to ensure this information is accurate and up-to-date. However, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary program/course information at any time without notice.

Enquiries

How to apply

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

Program Leader
Dr Francesco Ricatti
Tel: +61 7 5430 1185
Email: fricatti@usc.edu.au

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

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