Graduate Certificate of Communication

2021 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2021 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2021 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of Communication
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2021. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2021. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2021. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Cloud Campus	Yes
Duration	0.5 year full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	083989G Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course code	A539
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Note: Trimester 3 unit offerings are limited

Course sub-headings

Course overview

In a world of perpetual change, where facts and opinion often collide, one thing remains certain: the need for skilled communicators. Broaden your knowledge, and your mind, to gain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving job market.

Keen to dip into postgraduate communications study to boost your current skillset and advance your career?

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 Graduate Certificate of Communication will give you the specialist knowledge and skills to empower you to thrive in roles that influence and shape opinion.

Tailor your degree to your career goals – undertake intensive study in journalism, television production, public relations, digital media or visual communication design, or explore cross-disciplinary study. Enjoy a flexible, supported and stimulating learning environment, while collaborating with like-minded students, including those already working in industry.

Explore theoretical concepts and frameworks and learn how to apply them in a practical setting. 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.

The Graduate Certificate of Communication is also an articulation pathway into the Master of Communication. Should you be interested in continuing your studies, you can apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) upon successful completion of this course.

Whether you’re looking to upskill, change roles or challenge yourself in a new discipline, you’ll graduate 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 Graduate Certificate of Communication can prepare you for roles such as:

public relations specialist
journalist
media adviser
communications consultant
technical writer
visual designer
social media manager

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

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.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities	Acquire specialist knowledge and skills in professional communication. Demonstrate specialist knowledge of and skills in the application of contemporary communication methods in professional and scholarly contexts.
Communication	Use specialist cognitive and technical skills in communicating ideas, problems and arguments in a variety of modes across a range of professional communication contexts.
Digital literacy	Acquire specialist skills in generic and specific digital technologies used to address a range of communication needs in professional contexts and for diverse audiences within and outside the communications industries.
Critical thinking	Acquire advanced cognitive skills in the analysis and critical evaluation of communications theory and its application in professional practice and scholarship. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate complex ideas, develop appropriate methodologies and communicate conclusions in professional communication and scholarly contexts.
Problem solving	Use specialist cognitive skills in communications to identify, investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems and concepts and develop creative solutions in professional practice and scholarly contexts.
Self-management	Employ autonomy, accountability and initiative in responding creatively to new situations in professional contexts.
Teamwork	Demonstrate initiative and accountability in working and learning collaboratively in professional communications practice and scholarly contexts.
Global citizenship	Acquire specialist understanding of and the ability to reflect on issues in communications 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 by Faculty Board November 2017

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Communication, students must successfully complete:

4 credit points in Communication from the units listed below plus

AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Students are strongly encouraged to look at specific concentrations and patterns of unit choice that develop their professional communication skills and should seek advice to create the best combination available to them to achieve their specific course objectives and learning outcomes. Students using the Graduate Certificate as a pathway into the Master of Communication are strongly advised to complete ACX701 Communication Concepts as two of their 4 credit points.

Students using the Graduate Certificate to seek entry into a specialised diploma should take all four units from a single sub-field to enable credit for those units to be granted towards the diploma.