Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing

  • Enhance your creative writing and communication skills
  • Discuss your story ideas with an established creative writer
  • Understand the link between narrative theory and narrative practice

Program summary

Program title: Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing
Award abbreviation:
GCCreativeWriting
Degree type: coursework
Study mode: on campus
Duration: 6 months minimum full time, 2 years maximum part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Fee type 2012: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 4
USC program code: AR514
CRICOS code: 058885A

Write and communicate in a strong, creative and clear fashion.

In the 4-course Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing, you have an opportunity to develop your skills and conceptual understandings in contemporary creative and professional writing. This program imparts knowledge and develops skills for literary writing and for communication generally, including drafting, revising and editing techniques.

You learn to identify and evaluate an audience to determine the appropriate style of written communication and delivery, and examine trade novel conventions and the reasons for economic success in the global market. Discuss your ideas and stories with an established creative writer in class.

The Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing allows you to enhance your creative and professional writing skills, especially those relevant to careers in the communications industry or other sectors requiring well-developed communications skills. It builds on the Graduate Certificate and you can apply units completed towards the higher award.

You gain knowledge and skills in creative writing, as well as competencies enabling you to work effectively across a range of jobs requiring strong writing skills. If you are pursuing the diploma for self-development, you will have a greater understanding of the creative writing genre allowing you to pursue personal writing projects and other opportunities.

Admission requirements

A student entering the Graduate Certificate program will normally be required to hold an undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from a recognised higher education institution. Entry by non-graduates who have extensive relevant industry experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Enquiries

Faculty of Arts and Business
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259

Program Leader
Associate Professor Gary Crew
Tel: +61 7 5430 1130
Email: gcrew@usc.edu.au

Program structure

Program requirements and notes
  • Students are required to successfully complete the 4 required courses as listed below.
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
  • The Graduate Certificate articulates into the Graduate Diploma. Students who undertake 48 units in the Graduate Certificate can apply those units to the Graduate Diploma.
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
  • When enrolling, refer to the [TabLink top Study Plan]Study Plan.
Introductory courses

1 required course: 
CMN116 Introduction to Creative Writing

Advanced courses

Select 1 course from:
CMN238 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero
CMN246 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults

PLUS select 2 courses from:
CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN235 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN238 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero
CMN247 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
CMN260 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas
CMN266 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics
CMN267 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns
EGL201 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
EGL285 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature
HIS230 Talking History: Memory and the Past

TOTAL UNITS 48

Study Plan

The Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.

Required courses (4)

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN116 Coursework 3 Hons School of Communication & Creative Industries

PLUS select 1 course from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN238 Introduction to Game Design
CMN246 Introduction to Games Programming

PLUS select 2 courses from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN213 Introduction to Game Production
CMN235 Experimental Game Design
CMN238 Video Game Analysis and Design
CMN247 Interactive Narrative: Puzzles and Quests
CMN260 Interactive Narrative: Characters and Worlds
CMN266 Project Management
CMN267 Introduction to Game Design
EGL201 Introduction to Game Production
EGL285 Experimental Game Design
HIS230 Video Game Analysis and Design

TOTAL UNITS 48