Program summary
Program title: Graduate Diploma in Communication
Award abbreviation: GDComn
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: AR641
CRICOS code: 058564G
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 this award are normally required to hold a Bachelor’s degree or a relevant Graduate Certificate. To be eligible to undertake this award, students must not have undertaken a previous undergraduate degree or a major or minor in communication studies. Students cannot undertake any course in this degree that they have completed previously at an undergraduate level. 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.
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
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 seek approval from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences prior to enrolling into CMN574
- 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 can apply for up to 8 courses advanced standing into the coursework components only of the Master of Communication.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Program structure
Required courses: (8)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN102 Risk Management and Insurance Planning | |||
| CMN574 Superannuation and Retirement Planning |
PLUS select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN116 Taxation Planning and Estate Planning | |||
| CMN120 Communication Theory and Practice | |||
| CMN130 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review | |||
| CMN140 Introduction to Creative Writing |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMN213 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics | ||||
| CMN214 Introduction to Journalism | ||||
| CMN216 Introduction to Creative Advertising | ||||
| CMN218 Editing for the Communications Professional | ||||
| CMN222 Computer-Assisted Reporting | ||||
| CMN224 Crisis and Issues Management | ||||
| CMN226 Media and Community Relations | ||||
| CMN227 Multimedia Advertising | ||||
| CMN228 Advertising Campaigns | ||||
| CMN229 Advertising: Copy and Image | ||||
| CMN231 News Rounds | ||||
| CMN235 The Writer and the Law | ||||
| CMN237 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality | ||||
| CMN238 Communication Campaign Planning | ||||
| CMN240 News Writing: Print and Broadcast | ||||
| CMN243 Online Journalism | ||||
| CMN246 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero | ||||
| CMN247 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing | ||||
| CMN248 Public Relations Events Project | ||||
| CMN249 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults | ||||
| CMN251 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book | ||||
| CMN256 | ||||
| CMN260 Writing the Short Story |
| 12 | ||
| CMN266 Writing Poetry |
| 12 | ||
| CMN267 | ||||
| EGL201 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction |
| 12 | ||
| EGL285 | ||||
| ENP240 | ||||
| INT270 |
TOTAL UNITS 96
The University attempts to ensure this information is accurate and up-to-date. However, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary program/course information at any time without notice.
Enquiries
How to apply
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
# Students are required to seek approval from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences prior to enrolling in this course.