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 Introduction to Weather and Climate | |||
| CMN574 An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems |
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 Integrated Environmental Management |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN238 Communication Theory and Practice | |||
| CMN246 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review | |||
| CMN247 Introduction to Creative Writing | |||
| CMN260 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero | |||
| CMN266 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults | |||
| CMN267 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book | |||
| EGL201 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas | |||
| EGL285 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics |
Option 2: Journalism
Required Elective: (1)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN130 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN213 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction | |||
| CMN214 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature | |||
| CMN227 Introduction to Journalism | |||
| CMN228 Editing for the Communications Professional | |||
| CMN235 Computer-Assisted Reporting | |||
| CMN237 News Rounds | |||
| CMN240 The Writer and the Law | |||
| CMN249 News Writing: Print and Broadcast | |||
| CMN256 Online Journalism | |||
| CMN272 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing | |||
| INT270 Advanced News Reporting |
Option 3: Public Relations
Required Elective: (1)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN120 Research into Journalism |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN213 Industry Research Project (Journalism) | |||
| CMN216 Politics and the Media | |||
| CMN218 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics | |||
| CMN231 Editing for the Communications Professional | |||
| CMN224 Crisis and Issues Management | |||
| CMN226 Media and Community Relations | |||
| CMN228 Communication Campaign Planning | |||
| CMN229 Advertising Campaigns | |||
| CMN243 Advertising: Copy and Image | |||
| CMN248 The Writer and the Law | |||
| CMN251 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality | |||
| CMN273 Public Relations Events Project |
Option 4: Communication Studies
Select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMN116 Creative Advertising | ||||
| CMN120 International Communication | ||||
| CMN130 Internship/Research Project (Professional Communication) | ||||
| CMN140 |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMN213 | ||||
| CMN214 | ||||
| CMN216 | ||||
| CMN218 | ||||
| CMN222 | ||||
| CMN226 Creative and Interactive Advertising |
| 12 | ||
| CMN228 Media Law and Ethics |
| 12 | ||
| CMN229 | ||||
| CMN231 Communication Campaign Planning |
| 12 | ||
| CMN235 | ||||
| CMN237 | ||||
| CMN238 | ||||
| CMN240 Feature Writing |
| 12 | ||
| CMN243 | ||||
| CMN246 Writing for Children and Young Adults |
| 12 | ||
| CMN247 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book |
| 12 | ||
| CMN248 | ||||
| CMN249 | ||||
| CMN251 | ||||
| CMN256 | ||||
| CMN260 Writing the Short Story |
| 12 | ||
| CMN266 Writing Poetry |
| 12 | ||
| CMN267 | ||||
| EGL201 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction |
| 12 | ||
| EGL285 | ||||
| ENP240 | ||||
| INT270 |
Thesis or industry research project
The thesis or industry research project is to be equivalent to 4 courses (48 Units)
TOTAL UNITS 144
Enquiries
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.