Program summary

Program title: Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing
Award abbreviation: GDCreativeWriting
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 2010: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 8
USC program code: AR614
CRICOS code: 058883C

Highlights

• Enhance your creative writing and communication skills
• Discuss your story ideas with an established creative writer
• Understand the link between narrative theory and narrative practice

Write and communicate in a strong, creative and clear fashion.

In the 4-course Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing, you have an opportunity to develop your skills and conceptual understandings in contemporary creative and professional writing. This program imparts knowledge and develops skills for literary writing and for communication generally, including drafting, revising and editing techniques.

You learn to identify and evaluate an audience to determine the appropriate style of written communication and delivery, and examine trade novel conventions and the reasons for economic success in the global market. Discuss your ideas and stories with an established creative writer in class.

The Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing allows you to enhance your creative and professional writing skills, especially those relevant to careers in the communications industry or other sectors requiring well-developed communications skills. It builds on the Graduate Certificate and you can apply units completed towards the higher award.

You gain knowledge and skills in creative writing, as well as competencies enabling you to work effectively across a range of jobs requiring strong writing skills. If you are pursuing the diploma for self-development, you will have a greater understanding of the creative writing genre allowing you to pursue personal writing projects and other opportunities.

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 degree, students must not have undertaken a previous degree or a major or minor in creative writing. Students cannot undertake any course in this degree that they have completed previously at an undergraduate level. Students who have completed a relevant graduate certificate may apply to receive advanced standing into this award for coursework components only. 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. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.

Program structure

4 required courses:
CMN116 Introduction to Creative Writing
CMN238 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero
CMN246 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
CMN260 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas

Plus select 4 courses from:
CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN228 The Writer and the Law
CMN235 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN247 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
CMN266 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics
CMN267 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns
CMN574 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review
EGL201 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
EGL285 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature
HIS230 Talking History: Memory and the Past

Program requirements and notes

1. The Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing is a 96 unit program. Students must complete five compulsory specialist courses in creative writing.
2. The courses that constitute the Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing are existing undergraduate courses but are assessed at a higher level.
3. The Graduate Certificate articulates into the Graduate Diploma. Students who undertake 48 units in the Graduate Certificate, can apply those units to the Graduate Diploma.
4. The Graduate Diploma articulates into the Master of Communication. Students who undertake 96 units in the Graduate Diploma (must include CMN574 ) may apply those units to the Master of Communication.
5. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
6. 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
Associate Professor Gary Crew
Tel: +61 7 5430 1130
Email: gcrew@usc.edu.au

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