- Enhance your writing and communication skills
- Discover the nuances of journalistic reporting
- Create a portfolio of published works
Program summary
Program title: Graduate Certificate in Communication
Award abbreviation: GCComn
Degree type: coursework
Study mode: on campus
Duration: 6 months minimum full-time, 2 years maximum part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Fee type 2013: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 4
USC program code: AR541
CRICOS code: 058562J
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
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 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
Enquiries
Faculty of Arts and Business
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259
Program Leader
Dr Rod McCulloch
Tel: +61 7 5459 4867
Email: rmcullo@usc.edu.au
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
CMN116
CMN120
CMN130
CMN140
Advanced courses
Select 3 advanced courses from:
CMN213
CMN214
CMN216
CMN218
CMN224
CMN226
CMN227
CMN228
CMN229
CMN231
CMN235
CMN237
CMN238
CMN240
CMN243
CMN246
CMN247
CMN248
CMN249
CMN251
CMN256
CMN260
CMN266
CMN267
EGL201
EGL285
ENP240
TOTAL UNITS 48
Study Plan
The Graduate Certificate in Communication Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.
Required courses (4)
Select 1 course from:
Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
---|---|---|---|
CMN102 | |||
CMN116 | |||
CMN120 | |||
CMN130 | |||
CMN140 |
PLUS select 3 courses from:
Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
---|---|---|---|
CMN213 | |||
CMN214 | |||
CMN216 | |||
CMN218 | |||
CMN224 | |||
CMN226 | |||
CMN227 | |||
CMN228 | |||
CMN229 | |||
CMN231 | |||
CMN235 | |||
CMN237 | |||
CMN238 | |||
CMN240 | |||
CMN243 | |||
CMN246 | |||
CMN247 | |||
CMN248 | |||
CMN249 | |||
CMN251 | |||
CMN256 | |||
CMN260 | |||
CMN266 | |||
CMN267 | |||
EGL201 | |||
EGL285 | |||
ENP240 |
TOTAL UNITS 48