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 2010: 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.
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
CMN574
Electives
Select 6 courses from the 4 options, as follows:
Option 1: Creative Writing
CMN116 Playing with Words: an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
Plus select 5 courses from:
CMN238
CMN246 Writing for Children and Young Adults
CMN247 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
CMN260 Writing the Short Story
CMN266 Writing Poetry
CMN267
EGL201 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
EGL285
Option 2: Journalism
CMN130 Introduction to Journalism
Plus select 5 courses from:
CMN213
CMN214
CMN227
CMN228 Media Law and Ethics
CMN235
CMN237
CMN240 Feature Writing
CMN249
CMN256
CMN272 #
INT270
Option 3: Public Relations
CMN120 Introduction to Contemporary Global Media and Communication
Plus select 5 courses from:
CMN213
CMN216
CMN218
CMN231 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN224 Advertising Campaigns
CMN226 Creative and Interactive Advertising
CMN228 Media Law and Ethics
CMN229
CMN243 #
CMN248
CMN251
CMN273 #
Option 4: Communication Studies
Select 1 course from:
CMN116 Playing with Words: an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
CMN120 Introduction to Contemporary Global Media and Communication
CMN130 News and Reporting
CMN140
Plus select 5 courses from (provided prerequisite equivalency has been approved by the course coordinator):
CMN213
CMN214
CMN216
CMN218
CMN222
CMN226 Creative and Interactive Advertising
CMN228 Media Law and Ethics
CMN229
CMN231 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN235
CMN237
CMN238
CMN240 Feature Writing
CMN243 #
CMN246 Writing for Children and Young Adults
CMN247 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
CMN248
CMN249
CMN251
CMN256
CMN260 Writing the Short Story
CMN266 Writing Poetry
CMN267
EGL201 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
EGL285
ENP240
INT270
Thesis or industry research project
The thesis or industry research project is to be equivalent to 4 courses.
Program requirements and notes
- Students are required to successfully complete 12 courses as specified in the Master of Communication program structure.
- Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
- International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- 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