Program summary

Program title: Graduate Diploma in Journalism
Award abbreviation: GDJourn
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: AR643
CRICOS code: 058566E

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 and Graduate Diploma in Journalism offer an opportunity to develop your skills in contemporary journalism, and gain a qualification that has relevance, currency and credibility. The programs are ideal for professionals in corporate or government sectors who wish to upgrade their qualifications and expertise in a short time.

In today’s job market, the ability to write and communicate well has become increasingly important. USC’s journalism programs impart both knowledge and skills relevant for professional and business writing, and written communication in general. You develop competencies in research, writing, editing, and production; and examine the general communications required of journalists and the different media—print, broadcast and the internet.

Courses in the Graduate Certificate provide you with a solid introduction to journalism. Learn editing techniques across different media, participate in the online publishing process, build a portfolio of published articles, and learn basic photojournalism skills. You also examine the foundations of journalism, including its history and social and political relevance.

The Graduate Diploma in Journalism builds on the 4-course Graduate Certificate and you can apply the units completed to the higher award. Using your electives, you can choose to extend your expertise into areas such as computer-assisted reporting, online journalism, politics and the media, feature writing or even research.

To further your studies, the 8-course Graduate Diploma articulates into the Master of Communication. If you complete the Graduate Diploma in Journalism, you may apply for up to 8 courses (96 units) credit towards the coursework component of the Master of Communication.

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 journalism. 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 journalism and 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
• discuss contemporary culture and social outcomes/reactions of trends in popular fiction
• 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 journalism

Program structure

4 required courses:
CMN130
CMN213
CMN228
CMN235
Plus select 4 courses from:
CMN214
CMN227
CMN237
CMN240
CMN249
CMN256
CMN272
CMN574 #
INT270

Program requirements and notes

1. The Graduate Diploma in Journalism is a 96 unit program.
2. The courses that constitute the Graduate Diploma in Journalism will be existing undergraduate courses but will be assessed at a postgraduate level.
3. The Graduate Diploma articulates into the Master of Communication. Students who undertake courses in the Graduate Diploma may apply for up to 8 courses advanced standing into the coursework components only of the Master of Communication.
   Please note: To gain the maximum of 8 courses advanced standing, students must complete CMN574 in the list above.
4. Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
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 Stephen Lamble
Tel: +61 7 5459 4478
Email: slamble@usc.edu.au

# Students are required to seek approval from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences prior to enrolling in this course.

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