Master of Communication
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Communication |
| Deakin course code | A743 |
| Course Credit Points | 16 |
| Course version | 3 |
| Faculty | |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2018 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent The time and cost could be reduced based on your previous qualifications and professional experience. This means you can fast track the masters degree from 2 years down to 1.5 years, or even 1 year duration. See entry requirements below for more information. |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2026: The course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2026 will be available soon.
These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2025:
Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 084000E Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Research information
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Specialisations
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of specialisations
- Fees and charges
Course overview
The media and communications landscape is ever-changing, frequently in a state of flux. Future-proof your communications career – advance your current skill set, delve into contemporary research and develop the critical knowledge required to become a leader in this rapidly evolving industry.
Ready to become a highly sought-after, communications practitioner with thoroughly honed strategic and problem-solving skills?
With unprecedented advancement in technology and the increasing globalisation of business enterprises, strategic communication and critical thinking skills are a highly-valued, modern day commodity. Deakin’s Master of Communication will place you ahead of the game and empower you to thrive in roles that influence and shape opinion.
Tailor your degree to your career goals – specialise in advertising, journalism, public relations, digital media, sports media or visual communication design, with complementary electives. Enjoy a flexible, supported and stimulating learning environment, while collaborating with like-minded students, including those already working in industry. Learn from experienced staff and experts in the field, who ensure our course content stays up to date with the latest technological advances, industry demands and market conditions.
Explore theoretical concepts and frameworks and learn how to apply them in a practical setting. With internship and work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities available, you can enhance your employment capabilities while expanding your professional networks.
As part of a professional capstone program, you will undertake a research project designed for an industry or scholarly audience under the guidance of academic supervision.
Whether you’re looking to upskill, change roles or challenge yourself in a new discipline, you will graduate as a holistic and reflexive communications practitioner well-prepared for the inevitable industry advances, challenges and opportunities yet to come.
Career opportunities
Now more than ever is a great time to be in the media and communications industry. From media agencies and newsrooms, to publications, community relations and government organisations, anywhere in the world – the career opportunities are vast.
Our Master of Communication prepares you for roles such as:
- advertising account manager
- brand communication copywriter
- communications consultant or researcher
- corporate affairs director
- investigative journalist
- media adviser or planner
- public relations specialist
- social media manager
- sports media producer, journalist or commentator
- visual designer.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Communication (A539) | |
| Graduate Diploma of Communication (A639) |
Research information
Students will undertake a capstone research design and preparation unit worth one-credit-point, resulting in the completion of a professional practice-focused project for an industry audience. An academic research project (scholarly thesis) option is also available. Students who undertake the academic research project may be eligible to apply for future PhD study.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply expert knowledge of contemporary communication methods in one or more specialist areas including Journalism, Public Relations, Digital Media, Sports Media, and Visual Communication Design, and in scholarly contexts. |
| Communication | Use expert, specialised skills to communicate across a range of platforms and share knowledge and research findings with diverse audiences, in a way that has impact in professional and scholarly contexts. |
| Digital literacy | Utilize generic and specific digital technologies to address a range of communication needs in research and professional contexts and for diverse audiences within and outside the communication industries. |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse and evaluate complex ideas in communication theory, develop appropriate methodologies for application in industry or academic research projects, and communicate conclusions in the context of professional decision-making and scholarship. |
| Problem solving | Analyse, evaluate, and critique complex information in order to identify problems and develop creative solutions in a range of professional practice and scholarly contexts. |
| Self-management | Employ high level autonomy, accountability and initiative in responding creatively to new situations in professional communication practice and/or in the completion of a substantial research-based project. |
| Teamwork | Work and learn collaboratively in professional communication practice and in scholarly contexts, including exercising initiative and accountability as a team member. |
| Global citizenship | Critically reflect on communication-related issues in both domestic and global contexts as a scholar and in professional practice, taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility, and the application of the highest ethical standards. |
Approved at Faculty Board May 2023
Course rules
To complete the Master of Communication you must pass 16 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 4 credit points of core units
- a specialisation (8 credit points), which includes:
- 3 one credit point specialisation-specific units
- 1 credit point cross-disciplinary unit
- 4 credit point professional capstone program including a mandatory research project whose topic is relevant to that specialisation
- 4 credit points of course electives chosen from any specialisation
Most units are equal to one credit point.
As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Specialisations
Refer to the details of each specialisation for availability.
Course structure
Core units
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Units
| ACX701 | Communication Concepts (2 credit points) |
| ACX702 | Applied Research Methods for Communication (2 credit points) |
Professional capstone program
Students will either take Option A or Option B noting that Option B requires approval of the Course Director; most students will normally complete Option A
Option A
| ACX703 | Developing a Communication Research Project |
| ACX707 | Professional Research Project 1 |
| ACX708 | Professional Research Project 2 |
| ACC700 | Communication and Creative Arts Internship |
Or an elective related to the research project where no appropriate internship is available
Option B
(Only by approval of Course Director, achievement of a Distinction or higher average in previous coursework including ACX703, and agreement of supervisor)
| ACX703 | Developing a Communication Research Project |
| ALX720 | Minor Research Project (2 credit points) |
| ALX725 | Masters Research Project D |
ACX704 Academic Research Project 1 [No longer available for enrolment]
ACX705 Academic Research Project 2 [No longer available for enrolment]
ACX706 Academic Research Project 3 [No longer available for enrolment]
Stackable short courses
Mix and match Deakin short courses (0.5 cp microcredentials) to earn up to 2 credit point(s) of open electives, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number to be used for credit. See more information on Deakin stackable short course options.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Details of specialisations
Advertising
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Select three units from the following list:
| ALR703 | Digital Brand Storytelling |
| ALR733 | Advertising Theory and Practice |
| ALR701 | Writing for Brands |
Plus one unit from:
| ALR710 | Advanced Brand Communication |
| ALC708 | Social Media Content Creation |
as well as the 4-unit professional capstone option
Digital Creation
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Select three units from the following list:
| ACI700 | Digital Art and Photography |
| ALC702 | Making Sense of Communities Online |
| ALC708 | Social Media Content Creation |
Plus one unit from:
| ACG706 | Design for the Digital World |
| ALR703 | Digital Brand Storytelling |
as well as the 4-unit professional capstone option
ALC701 Collaborative Digital Media Making [No longer available for enrolment]
ALC703 Digital Curation in the Age of AI [No longer available for enrolment]
Journalism
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Select three units from the following list:
| ACC717 | Media Law and Ethics |
| ALJ716 | Writing the News |
| ALJ722 | The Power and Perils of True Stories |
Plus one unit from:
| ASM700 | Introduction to Sports Media |
| ALR718 | Communication for Social Change |
as well as the 4-unit professional capstone option
ALJ714 Journalism for Social Change [No longer available for enrolment]
ALJ715 Multimedia Storytelling [No longer available for enrolment]
ALJ721 Global Journalism [No longer available for enrolment]
Public Relations
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Select three units from the following list:
| ALR700 | Public Relations Campaigns |
| ALR704 | Reputation Management: Crisis, Risk and Responsibility |
| ALR718 | Communication for Social Change |
Plus one unit from:
| ALR701 | Writing for Brands |
| ALC708 | Social Media Content Creation |
as well as the 4-unit professional capstone option
ALR782 Public Affairs and Opinion Formation [No longer available for enrolment]
Sports Media
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne)
Units
Select three units from the following list:
| ASM700 | Introduction to Sports Media |
| ASM701 | Sport Commentary |
| ALJ716 | Writing the News |
Plus one unit from:
| ALR704 | Reputation Management: Crisis, Risk and Responsibility |
| ALJ722 | The Power and Perils of True Stories |
as well as the 4-unit professional capstone option
ACF701 Television Studio Production [No longer available for enrolment]
ALJ715 Multimedia Storytelling [No longer available for enrolment]
Design
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Select three units from the following list:
| ACG703 | Design Systems |
| ACG706 | Design for the Digital World |
| ACG708 | Design Strategies |
Plus one unit from:
| ACG702 | Design for the Physical World |
| ALC708 | Social Media Content Creation |
as well as the 4-unit professional capstone option
ACG709 Strategic Branding and Design [No longer available for enrolment]
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.