Master of Communication | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Master of Communication

  • Enhance your writing and communication skills
  • Discover the nuances of journalistic reporting
  • Create a portfolio of published works

Program summary

Program title: Master of Communication
Award abbreviation:
MComn
Degree type: coursework
Study mode: 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 2013: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 12
USC program code: AR841
CRICOS code: 057539E

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.

Refer also 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.
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

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.
Required courses: (2)
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN102
CMN574
Elective courses: (6)

Select 6 courses from one of the four options, as follows:

Option 1: Creative Writing

Required elective: (1)

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN116

PLUS select 5 courses from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN238
CMN246
CMN247
CMN260
CMN266
CMN267
EGL201
EGL285
Option 2: Journalism

Required elective: (1)

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN130

PLUS select 5 courses from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN213
CMN214
CMN227
CMN228
CMN235
CMN237
CMN240
CMN249
CMN256
CMN272
INT270
Option 3: Public Relations

Required elective: (1)

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN120

PLUS select 5 courses from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN213
CMN216
CMN218
CMN231
CMN224
CMN226
CMN228
CMN229
CMN243
CMN248
CMN251
CMN273
Option 4: Communication Studies

Select 1 course from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN116
CMN120
CMN130
CMN140

PLUS select 5 courses from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
CMN213
CMN214
CMN216
CMN218
CMN222
CMN226
CMN228
CMN229
CMN231
CMN235
CMN237
CMN238
CMN240
CMN243
CMN246
CMN247
CMN248
CMN249
CMN251
CMN256
CMN260
CMN266
CMN267
EGL201
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

 

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