- 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 2012: 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 Research into Journalism
CMN116 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas
CMN120 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics
CMN130 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns
CMN140 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
Advanced courses
Select 3 advanced courses from:
CMN213 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature
CMN214 Environment, Heritage and Tourism
CMN216 Communication Theory and Practice
CMN218 Introduction to Creative Writing
CMN224 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics
CMN226 Introduction to Journalism
CMN227 Introduction to Creative Advertising
CMN228 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN229 Computer-Assisted Reporting
CMN231 Crisis and Issues Management
CMN235 Media and Community Relations
CMN237 Advertising Campaigns
CMN238 Advertising: Copy and Image
CMN240 News Rounds
CMN243 The Writer and the Law
CMN246 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality
CMN247 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN248 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN249 Online Journalism
CMN251 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero
CMN256 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing
CMN260 Public Relations Events Project
CMN266 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
CMN267 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
EGL201 Creative Advertising
EGL285 Advanced News Reporting
ENP240 International Communication
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 Social Justice, Welfare and the State | |||
CMN116 Understanding Cultural Diversity | |||
CMN120 Social Research | |||
CMN130 Gender and Culture | |||
CMN140 Industry Project 1: Social and Community Studies |
PLUS select 3 courses from:
Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
---|---|---|---|
CMN213 Communication and Thought | |||
CMN214 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship | |||
CMN216 Communication Theory and Practice | |||
CMN218 Introduction to Creative Writing | |||
CMN224 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics | |||
CMN226 Introduction to Journalism | |||
CMN227 Introduction to Creative Advertising | |||
CMN228 Editing for the Communications Professional | |||
CMN229 Computer-Assisted Reporting | |||
CMN231 Crisis and Issues Management | |||
CMN235 Media and Community Relations | |||
CMN237 Advertising Campaigns | |||
CMN238 Advertising: Copy and Image | |||
CMN240 News Rounds | |||
CMN243 The Writer and the Law | |||
CMN246 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality | |||
CMN247 Communication Campaign Planning | |||
CMN248 News Writing: Print and Broadcast | |||
CMN249 Online Journalism | |||
CMN251 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero | |||
CMN256 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing | |||
CMN260 Public Relations Events Project | |||
CMN266 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults | |||
CMN267 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book | |||
EGL201 Creative Advertising | |||
EGL285 Advanced News Reporting | |||
ENP240 International Communication |
TOTAL UNITS 48