Course description
Fees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Fee paying place - Domestic (DFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fee paying places are available to domestic students. Domestic students are those who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of a permanent visa.
*Indicative course fees should be used as a guide only. Deakin University assumes no responsibility for persons relying on indicative course fees to calculate the total future cost of their course. The indicative course fee is an estimate based on a typical enrolment a student may have for their first year of study in 2009 for their course. The indicative course fee is based on historical first year enrolments within the course, reflecting the discipline cluster of the units which may be studied within the course. The actual fees charged will depend on the individual units chosen. The cost of each unit can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php. Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and services.
Career opportunities
In addition to the traditional public relations and media positions, as a graduate of this course you may find employment in the specialised areas of public affairs, corporate affairs, community relations, customer relations, investor relations, employee relations, publicity, government relations, media relations and crisis and issues management.
If you are already practising in a field such as journalism, media and communication, professional writing and public relations, this course gives you the opportunity to move across professional fields by upgrading your qualifications and refreshing or advancing your professional skills.
Course rules
To qualify for the Master of Communication, a student must successfully complete 12 credit points of study comprising:
* at least 6 credit points of study (including core units) from one of the following specialisations: Advertising; Journalism; Public Relations; Professional Writing; or Media and Communication
* a further 6 credit points of electives selected from units offered in the specialisations above and/or from units offered in the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or any other elective with the permission of the Post Graduate Course Director.
See the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) (A748) for available units.
Specialisations
Advertising
Journalism
Media and Communication
Professional Writing
Public Relations
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide
Admission requirements - specific
To be eligible for admission into the Master of Communication applicants require a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution or equivalent:
* a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution; or
* qualifications deemed to be equivalent
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Advanced standing - specific
Applications for advanced standing will be considered depending on the quality and subject matter of the student's prior qualifications and professional experience.
The Graduate Certificates in Journalism, Media and Communication, Professional Writing and Public Relations along with The Graduate Diplomas in Journalism, Media and Communication, Professional Writing and Public Relations and the Master of Communication comprise a suite of fully articulated courses. Successful completion of a Graduate Certificate will lead to admission into either the relevant Graduate Diploma or the Master of Communication with up to 4 credit points of advanced standing. Successful completion of a Graduate Diploma will lead to admission into the Master of Communication with up to 8 credit points of advanced standing.
How to apply
Applications must be made directly to the university through the Applicant Portal referring to closing dates for applications as dates for particular courses may vary.
Your faculty may require further information from you when submitting your application. Please refer to the faculty information website for further details.
Alternate exits
Graduate Certificate of Journalism (A549)
Graduate Certificate of Media and Communication (A539)
Graduate Certificate of Professional Writing (A561)
Graduate Certificate of Public Relations (A543)
Graduate Diploma of Journalism (A649)
Graduate Diploma of Media and Communication (A639)
Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing (A661)
Graduate Diploma of Public Relations (A643)
