Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing
2019 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2019 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing |
| Course Map | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2019. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2019. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser. |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Cloud Campus | Yes |
| Duration | 2 years part-time or equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 095260E Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Deakin course code | A661 |
| 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. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
Course overview
The Graduate Diploma in Professional Writing provides students with an understanding of the publishing industry and of the requirements involved in writing and editing for different audiences. It hones students’ ability to write in, and for, a range of contexts including freelance writing.
The Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing offers studies in various forms of professional writing and editing for graduates with major sequences in other disciplines. The emphasis is on the development of skills required to prepare work for publication. In each area of study, from editing to publishing and our cutting edge unit on blogging, students receive practical experience in the process of writing and revision. The program will develop students’ understanding of the requirements of writing and editing for different readerships.
The units in the program will be valuable for those experienced in writing but who may feel the need for further guidance, or those interested in beginning a career in writing. Study at this level can also assist those who are engaged in writing in their employment area and wish to enhance their skills in written communication. The editing unit introduces students to the key skills required for employment in publishing books and magazines. The School adopts the philosophy that writing and editing should be taught by published writers and practitioners. The teaching staff includes well-known writers and editors, and the program draws on the talents of other publishing professionals as guest speakers.
Career opportunities
The program is designed to provide career enhancement for students employed or wishing to be employed in the fields of professional writing or publishing. It enables students currently employed in these fields to upgrade their qualifications in order to apply for specialist positions and enhance their opportunities for promotion. It also provides for those seeking a qualification to enable refocusing of career options.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
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, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate specialised technical and theoretical knowledge of the practice of professional writing and advanced skills in writing for a range of industry contexts and audiences. |
| Communication | Demonstrate advanced communication skills, including the specialized, developed ability to write in a style appropriate for a range of professional contexts and a variety of audiences, including industry, academic and community. |
| Digital literacy | A specialized, developed knowledge of a range of digital technologies for the preparation and publication of written material pertinent to professional writing contexts |
| Critical thinking | Demonstrate advanced understanding of methods for the critical evaluation and application of conventions, styles and techniques of professional writing and skills to create content that meets scholarly and industry standards and requirements. |
| Problem solving | Demonstrate expertise in the use of specialist theoretical, professional and practice-led approaches to writing that is reflected in the design and execution of creative and scholarly solutions to a range of industry, technical, professional, aesthetic, critical and/or ideological problems. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate initiative, autonomy, creativity, responsibility and accountability under time pressure and an ongoing commitment to reflective learning in professional writing practice and scholarship. |
| Teamwork | Demonstrate advanced skills and awareness in working collaboratively with peers, colleagues, other professionals and community members in scholarly and/or professional contexts. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate specialist ethical, legal and cultural knowledge when engaging in professional writing practice in a range of diverse cultural, social and political environments. |
| Approved by Faculty Board November 2018 | |
Course rules
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising of:
- 5 credit points of core units
- 3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts
- AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Course structure
Core Units
| ALW740 | Foundations in Professional and Creative Writing |
Complete four of the following units:
| ACA715 | Creative Enterprise Project |
| ALC708 | Blogging and Online Communication Techniques |
| ALJ728 | Feature Writing |
| ALW738 | Editing |
| ALW739 | Publishing |
Students may choose to include the 5th unit listed above as one of the 3 electives
Course structure
Electives
3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Other course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Other learning experiences
There will be opportunities throughout the course for students to engage with industry professionals. These experiences will be integrated into units where students will have external clients or industry representatives provide content to more closely connect the learning experience with industry practices.