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

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Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing

Program summary

Program title: Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing
Award abbreviation:
GDCreativeWriting
Degree type: coursework
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 1 year minimum full-time, 4 years maximum part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Fee type 2011: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 8
USC program code: AR614
CRICOS code: 058883C

Highlights
  • 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

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

Candidates for this award are normally required to hold a bachelor's degree or a relevant graduate certificate. To be eligible to undertake this degree, students must not have undertaken a previous degree or a major or minor in creative writing. Students cannot undertake any course in this degree that they have completed previously at an undergraduate level. Students who have completed a relevant graduate certificate may apply to receive advanced standing into this award for coursework components only. 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. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.

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 the 8 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 Diploma articulates into the Master of Communication. Students who undertake courses in the Graduate Diploma may apply for up to 8 courses advanced standing into the coursework components only of the Master of Communication. Please note: To gain the maximum of 8 courses advanced standing, students must complete CMN574 in the list below.
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Program structure

Required courses: (8)

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN116 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
CMN238 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature
CMN246 Environment, Heritage and Tourism
CMN260 Introduction to Creative Writing


PLUS select 4 courses from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN213 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero
CMN228 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
CMN235 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas
CMN247 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN266 The Writer and the Law
CMN267 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN574 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
EGL201 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics
EGL285 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns
HIS230 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review

TOTAL UNITS 96

Enquiries

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

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

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