Master of Communication
2024 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Communication |
| Deakin course code | A743 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 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 course 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
- Professional recognition
- 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.
Professional recognition
Students specialising in public relations may qualify for accredited membership of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) by completing 6 credit points of ALR-coded units in addition to their PR-related research project.
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
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 students must pass 16 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 4 credit points of core units
- a specialisation (8 credit points), which includes:
- 4 one credit point specialisation-specific units
- 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
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Specialisations
Refer to the details of each specialisation for availability.
Course structure
Core 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 ACX704 Academic Research Project 1 ACX705 Academic Research Project 2 ACX706 Academic Research Project 3
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 four units from the following list as well as the 4-unit professional capstone option:
| ACG703 | Design and Digital Skills |
| ALC708 | Social Media Content Creation |
| ALR703 | Digital Brand Storytelling |
| ALR733 | Advertising Theory and Practice |
| ALR701 | Writing for Brands |
| ALR710 | Advanced Brand Communication |
Digital Media
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Select four units from the following list as well as the 4-unit professional capstone option:
| ACC717 | Media Law and Ethics |
| ACG706 | Web and Interactive Design |
| ACI700 | Introduction to Digital Photography |
| ALC701 | Collaborative Digital Media Making |
| ALC702 | Making Sense of Communities Online |
| ALC703 | Digital Curation in the Age of AI |
| ALC708 | Social Media Content Creation |
| ALR703 | Digital Brand Storytelling |
Journalism
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Select four units from the following list as well as the 4-unit professional capstone option:
| ACC717 | Media Law and Ethics |
| ALJ714 | Journalism for Social Change |
| ALJ715 | Multimedia Storytelling |
| ALJ716 | Writing the News |
| ALJ721 | Global Journalism |
| ALJ722 | Investigative and Narrative Journalism |
Public Relations
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Select four units from the following list as well as the 4-unit professional capstone option:
| ALR700 | Public Relations Campaigns |
| ALR701 | Writing for Brands |
| ALR704 | Reputation Management: Crisis, Risk and Responsibility |
| ALR718 | Public Relations, Activism and Social Change |
| ALR733 | Advertising Theory and Practice |
| ALR782 | Public Affairs and Opinion Formation |
| ALC708 | Social Media Content Creation |
Note: Students wishing to qualify for course-accredited membership of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) must select at least 6 credit points of ALR-coded units and complete their capstone project on a public relations-related topic.
Sports Media
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne)
Units
Select four units from the following list as well as the 4-unit professional capstone option:
| ASM700 | Introduction to Sports Media |
| ASM701 | Sport Commentary |
| ACF701 | Television Studio Production |
Plus 1 unit selected from:
| ALC708 | Social Media Content Creation |
| ALR701 | Writing for Brands |
| ALR704 | Reputation Management: Crisis, Risk and Responsibility |
| ALJ715 | Multimedia Storytelling |
| ALJ716 | Writing the News |
| ALJ722 | Investigative and Narrative Journalism |
Visual Communication Design
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
Select four units from the following list as well as the 4-unit professional capstone option:
| ACG702 | Digital Publishing |
| ACG703 | Design and Digital Skills |
| ACG706 | Web and Interactive Design |
| ACG708 | Design Thinking and Problem Solving |
| ACG709 | Strategic Branding and Design |
| ACI700 | Introduction to Digital Photography |
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.