Program summary
Program title: Master of Communication
Award abbreviation: MComn
Degree type: coursework
Mode of study: 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 2010: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 12
USC program code: AR841
CRICOS code: 057539E
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 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. International students need to refer 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.
Program structure
You may undertake courses in the broad area of Communication Studies or specialise in the fields of Creative Writing, Journalism, or Public Relations. You must complete two required courses and a research project or thesis. Course selections depend on chosen fields of study as follows:
Required courses
Please note: you must discuss coursework selection with the program coordinator and receive written approval prior to enrolment through Student Administration.
2 required courses:
CMN102 Communication Theory and Practice
CMN574 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review
Electives
Select 6 courses from the 4 options, as follows:
Option 1: Creative Writing
CMN116 Introduction to Creative Writing
Plus select 5 courses from:
CMN238 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero
CMN246 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
CMN247 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
CMN260 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas
CMN266 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics
CMN267 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns
EGL201 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
EGL285 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature
Option 2: Journalism
CMN130 Introduction to Journalism
Plus select 5 courses from:
CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN214 Computer-Assisted Reporting
CMN227 News Rounds
CMN228 The Writer and the Law
CMN235 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN237 Online Journalism
CMN240 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing
CMN249 Advanced News Reporting
CMN256 Research into Journalism
CMN272 Industry Research Project (Journalism) #
INT270 Politics and the Media
Option 3: Public Relations
CMN120 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics
Plus select 5 courses from:
CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN216 Crisis and Issues Management
CMN218 Media and Community Relations
CMN231 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN224 Advertising Campaigns
CMN226 Advertising: Copy and Image
CMN228 The Writer and the Law
CMN229 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality
CMN243 Public Relations Events Project #
CMN248 Creative Advertising
CMN251 International Communication
CMN273 Internship/Research Project (Professional Communication) #
Option 4: Communication Studies
Select 1 course from:
CMN116 Introduction to Creative Writing
CMN120 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics
CMN130 Introduction to Journalism
CMN140 Introduction to Creative Advertising
Plus select 5 courses from (provided prerequisite equivalency has been approved by the course coordinator):
CMN213 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN214 Computer-Assisted Reporting
CMN216 Crisis and Issues Management
CMN218 Media and Community Relations
CMN222 Multimedia Advertising
CMN226 Advertising: Copy and Image
CMN228 The Writer and the Law
CMN229 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality
CMN231 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN235 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN237 Online Journalism
CMN238 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero
CMN240 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing
CMN243 Public Relations Events Project #
CMN246 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
CMN247 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
CMN248 Creative Advertising
CMN249 Advanced News Reporting
CMN251 International Communication
CMN256 Research into Journalism
CMN260 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas
CMN266 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics
CMN267 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns
EGL201 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
EGL285 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature
ENP240 Environment, Heritage and Tourism
INT270 Politics and the Media
Thesis or industry research project
The thesis or industry research project is to be equivalent to 4 courses.
Program requirements and notes
- Students are required to successfully complete 12 courses as specified in the Master of Communication program structure.
- Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
- International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- 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
Anna Potter
Tel: +61 7 5430 2846
Email: apotter@usc.edu.au