- Program summary
- Program overview
- Admission requirements
- Program structure
- Program requirements and notes
- Enquiries
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: students may apply and start throughout the year, subject to program requirements.
Fee type 2010: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 12
USC program code: AR841
CRICOS code: 057539E
Program overview
This coursework-based Master's degree is designed for those who want to develop professional standing in the rapidly expanding field of professional communication. The degree is particularly designed to assist postgraduate students who have studied in fields or disciplines other than communications in their undergraduate degrees who wish to make a transition to journalism, professional writing, or public relations. Many media organisations place a premium on recruiting staff with degrees in fields such as science, law and business who also have postgraduate qualifications in relevant fields of communication.
The program offers opportunities to specialise in the broad area of Communication Studies or specific fields including Journalism, Public Relations and Creative Writing. Overall, you undertake the equivalent of 12 courses. After completing 8 courses, 5 of which are chosen as electives, you will complete a research project in which you may 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 professional communicators and is equivalent in value to four courses.
You may enrol at the start of any of the University's three semesters. You will 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 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. To be eligible to undertake this degree, you must not have undertaken a previous degree in communication, journalism, creative writing or public relations, or a major or minor in any of the foregoing fields of study. 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 advanced standing into this award for coursework components only. No advanced standing may be awarded for the thesis component. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
Advanced standing
- If you have an undergraduate qualification no advanced standing will be granted.
- If you have completed relevant postgraduate subjects you may apply for advanced standing 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 Communication Theory and Practice
CMN574 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review
Electives
Select 6 courses from the 4 options, as follows:
Option 1: Creative Writing
CMN116 Introduction to Creative Writing
Plus select 5 courses from:
CMN238 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero
CMN246 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
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
Option 2: Journalism
CMN130 Introduction to Journalism
Plus select 5 courses from:
CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN214 Computer-Assisted Reporting
CMN227 News Rounds
CMN228 The Writer and the Law
CMN235 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN237 Online Journalism
CMN240 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing
CMN249 Advanced News Reporting
CMN256 Research into Journalism
CMN272 Industry Research Project (Journalism) #
INT270 Politics and the Media
Option 3: Public Relations
CMN120 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics
Plus select 5 courses from:
CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN216 Crisis and Issues Management
CMN218 Media and Community Relations
CMN231 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN224 Advertising Campaigns
CMN226 Advertising: Copy and Image
CMN228 The Writer and the Law
CMN229 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality
CMN243 Public Relations Events Project #
CMN248 Creative Advertising
CMN251 International Communication
CMN273 Internship/Research Project (Professional Communication) #
Option 4: Communication Studies
Select 1 course from:
CMN116 Introduction to Creative Writing
CMN120 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics
CMN130 Introduction to Journalism
CMN140 Introduction to Creative Advertising
Plus select 5 courses from (provided prerequisite equivalency has been approved by the course coordinator):
CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN214 Computer-Assisted Reporting
CMN216 Crisis and Issues Management
CMN218 Media and Community Relations
CMN226 Advertising: Copy and Image
CMN228 The Writer and the Law
CMN229 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality
CMN231 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN235 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN237 Online Journalism
CMN238 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero
CMN240 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing
CMN243 Public Relations Events Project #
CMN246 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
CMN247 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
CMN248 Creative Advertising
CMN249 Advanced News Reporting
CMN251 International Communication
CMN256 Research into Journalism
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
ENP240 Environment, Heritage and Tourism
INT270 Politics and the Media
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 the Academic Rules for further information.
- 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