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)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN102 International Trade and Finance | |||
| CMN574 Marketing in an International Environment |
Elective Courses: (6)
Select 6 courses from one of the four options, as follows:
Option 1: Creative Writing
Required Elective: (1)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN116 Comparative and International Employment Relations |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN238 Management Informatics | |||
| CMN246 Managing People | |||
| CMN247 Global Business Management | |||
| CMN260 Entrepreneurship and New Venture Planning | |||
| CMN266 Corporate Governance, Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility | |||
| CMN267 Managerial Project | |||
| EGL201 Managerial Project - Part A | |||
| EGL285 Managerial Project - Part B |
Option 2: Journalism
Required Elective: (1)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN130 Industry Research Project |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN213 Communication Theory and Practice | |||
| CMN214 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review | |||
| CMN227 Introduction to Creative Writing | |||
| CMN228 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero | |||
| CMN235 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults | |||
| CMN237 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book | |||
| CMN240 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas | |||
| CMN249 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics | |||
| CMN256 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns | |||
| CMN272 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction | |||
| INT270 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature |
Option 3: Public Relations
Required Elective: (1)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN120 Introduction to Journalism |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional | |||
| CMN216 Computer-Assisted Reporting | |||
| CMN218 News Rounds | |||
| CMN231 The Writer and the Law | |||
| CMN224 News Writing: Print and Broadcast | |||
| CMN226 Online Journalism | |||
| CMN228 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing | |||
| CMN229 Advanced News Reporting | |||
| CMN243 Research into Journalism | |||
| CMN248 Industry Research Project (Journalism) | |||
| CMN251 Politics and the Media | |||
| CMN273 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics |
Option 4: Communication Studies
Select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN116 Editing for the Communications Professional | |||
| CMN120 Crisis and Issues Management | |||
| CMN130 Media and Community Relations | |||
| CMN140 Communication Campaign Planning |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN213 Advertising Campaigns | |||
| CMN214 Advertising: Copy and Image | |||
| CMN216 The Writer and the Law | |||
| CMN218 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality | |||
| CMN222 Public Relations Events Project | |||
| CMN226 Creative Advertising | |||
| CMN228 International Communication | |||
| CMN229 Internship/Research Project (Professional Communication) | |||
| CMN231 Introduction to Creative Writing | |||
| CMN235 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics | |||
| CMN237 Introduction to Journalism | |||
| CMN238 Introduction to Creative Advertising | |||
| CMN240 Editing for the Communications Professional | |||
| CMN243 Computer-Assisted Reporting | |||
| CMN246 Crisis and Issues Management | |||
| CMN247 Media and Community Relations | |||
| CMN248 Multimedia Advertising | |||
| CMN249 Advertising: Copy and Image | |||
| CMN251 The Writer and the Law | |||
| CMN256 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality | |||
| CMN260 Communication Campaign Planning | |||
| CMN266 News Writing: Print and Broadcast | |||
| CMN267 Online Journalism | |||
| EGL201 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero | |||
| EGL285 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing | |||
| ENP240 Public Relations Events Project | |||
| INT270 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults |
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.