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.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
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
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 Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts and Business.
Program objectives
On completion of this program students should be able to:
- demonstrate proficiency in areas of professional writing
- identify and evaluate a particular audience, and develop the styles of written communication and modes of delivery accordingly
- identify the generic conventions of different forms of written communication
- analyse written and oral communications in order to identify and implement proper drafting, revising, and editing techniques.
- graduate and pursue further vocational studies and apply theoretically advanced approaches to communication studies
Program structure
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).
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan
Introductory courses
Select 1 intrductory course from:
CMN102 Introduction to Environmental Management
CMN116 Outdoor Living and Travel Skills
CMN120 Leading Groups in Outdoor Environments
CMN130 Communication and Thought
CMN140 Introduction to Economics
Advanced courses
Select 3 advanced courses from:
CMN213 Introduction to Management
CMN214 Introduction to Marketing
CMN216 Business Analytics
CMN218 Accounting for Business
CMN224 Introduction to Informatics
CMN226 Business Law and Ethics
CMN227 Strategic Management
CMN228 Project Management
CMN229 Cross-Cultural Management
CMN231 Small Business and New Venture Management
CMN235 Quality Management
CMN237 Leadership and Team Dynamics
CMN238 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
CMN240 Advanced Strategic Management
CMN243 Managing Organisational Change
CMN246 Leadership and Team Dynamics
CMN247 Managing Organisational Change
CMN248 Communication and Thought
CMN249 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
CMN251 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
CMN256 Climate Change Adaptation Barriers and Solutions
CMN260 Carbon & Biodiversity Markets
CMN266 Applied Climatic & Hydrological Systems
CMN267 Advanced Climate Change Mitigation
EGL201 Communication Theory and Practice
EGL285 Introduction to Creative Writing
ENP240 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives
TOTAL UNITS 48