Master of Communication
2018 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2018 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Communication |
| Course Map | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2018. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2018. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2018. If you require a course map from a previous year, please contact a Student Adviser. |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Cloud Campus | Yes |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 084000E Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Deakin course code | A743 |
| 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 9. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Research information
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Specialisations
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of specialisations
Course overview
The Master of Communication empowers you to confidently and creatively develop strategic communications that shape opinion.
With a strong focus on evolving technologies, critical thinking and problem solving, you’ll develop the technical skills and knowledge needed to be a future leader in the rapidly changing media and communications landscape.
Advances in technology and the speed of information distribution has made proactive communications experts more sought-after than ever – why not graduate with a degree that puts you ahead of the pack? Whether you’re looking to upskill, change roles or challenge yourself in a new discipline, the Master of Communication will enhance your understanding of the fluid media landscape while training you to be a thought leader and influencer across all sectors in the industry.
Broaden your repertoire of communication skills by working on briefs that simulate the cut and thrust of modern media campaigns, and tailor your degree to your career goals by undertaking intensive study in one of the following specialisations, or choosing to undertake aspects of all of the specialisations:
- Journalism
- Public relations
- Digital media
- Television production
- Visual communication design
Speaking of practical, hands-on learning, you’ll have the opportunity to put theory into practice in world-class facilities with access to a newsroom, TV production facilities (where the Marngrook Footy Show is filmed), sound recording studios and news feeds.
Plus, if you’re a student specialising in public relations, you might be eligible to graduate with PRIA membership, making you even more employable.
Professional recognition
PRIA membership is available to graduates who specialise in public relations and complete a PR-related research project.
Find out more at Public Relations Institute of Australia.
Career opportunities
The diverse skill set you’ll develop throughout your Master of Communication can take you just about anywhere, from media agencies and newsrooms, to publications and government organisations. You may even choose to be a consultant, or freelance from your favourite place in the world.
Your degree will prepare you for a variety of roles, including:
- PR practitioner
- Media adviser
- Journalist
- Communication officer or coordinator
- Communication consultant or manager
- Producer - Project officer in government
- Technical writer - Content writer or developer
- Social media specialist
Not everyone knows where they’ll be in five or ten years time. We’ll train you to be flexible throughout your career by placing a greater emphasis on transferable skills - like strategic communication, critical thinking and social responsibility - that make you a more valuable prospect.
That means if your passions change in the future, you’ll feel confident and well-equipped to make your move.
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.
Alternative exits
Research information
Students will undertake a practice-based research methods and design unit worth 2 credit points and a significant independent research project worth 4 credit points resulting in the completion of a major creative work and exegesis. A two credit point research project option is available.
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 | Acquire advanced and integrated understanding of one or more complex knowledge domains relating to professional communication Demonstrate expert knowledge and specialist skills in contemporary communication methods, and their application in one or more specialist areas of communication including Journalism, Professional Writing, Public Relations, Television Production and Visual Communication Design and in scholarly contexts |
| Communication | Use specialist cognitive and technical skills in communicating ideas, problems and arguments in a variety of modes in a range specialist areas of communication and in scholarly research |
| Digital literacy | Acquire specialist skills in generic and specific digital technologies used to address a range of communication needs in research and professional contexts and for diverse audiences within and outside the communications industry |
| Critical thinking | Acquire expert cognitive skills in the analysis and critical evaluation of communications theory and its application in professional practice and scholarship Demonstrate the ability to evaluate complex ideas, develop appropriate methodologies and communicate conclusions in the context of professional decision making and scholarship |
| Problem solving | Use expert and specialised knowledge of and 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 high level autonomy, accountability and initiative in responding creatively to new situations in professional practice and/or in the completion of a substantial research –based project |
| Teamwork | Demonstrate initiative and accountability in working and learning collaboratively in professional communications practice and scholarly contexts |
| Global citizenship | Acquire high level understanding 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 Master of Communication, a student must successfully complete 16 credit points of study comprising:
AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit) and;
Core Communication Program (4 credits)
Students must complete a common foundation program in contemporary professional communication focusing on key communication concepts and applied research methods, studying these two units in either order, in the first year of study:
- ACX701 Communication Concepts (2 credits)
- ACX702 Applied Research Methods for Communication (2 credits)
Specialisation (8 credits)
Students must complete 8 credits from one specialisation, to provide in-depth knowledge and professional expertise in a sub-field of communication, completing both of the following:
- four one-credit specialisation-specific units selected from one only of five specialisations (Digital Media; Journalism; Public Relations; Television Production; or Visual Communication); and
- a four-credit professional capstone program including a mandatory research project whose topic is relevant to that specialisation
Electives (4 credits)
Students select four electives from any specialisation in the course to create a distinctive degree to advance their professional careers and/or extend their academic knowledge in related areas. Students may complete up to two electives from any equivalent postgraduate course at Deakin University.
Students seeking PRIA accreditation for their degree must complete two electives using units coded ALR unless advised otherwise.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.Specialisations
Refer to the details of each specialisation for availability.
Television Production (Burwood campus only)
Course structure
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 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACX707 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACX708 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACC700 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
Or
an elective related to the research project where no appropriate internship is available
Option B
(only by approval of Course Director, based on performance in ACX703, and agreement of supervisor)
| ACX703 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACX704 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACX705 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACX706 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
Course structure
Core units
| ACX701 | Unit description is currently unavailable (2 credit points) |
| ACX702 | Unit description is currently unavailable (2 credit points) |
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Details of specialisations
Journalism
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
Select four units from the following list as well as the 4-unit capstone option:
| ACC717 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALJ710 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALJ712 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALJ713 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALJ721 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALJ722 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALJ728 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALJ729 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
Details of specialisations
Digital Media
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
Select four units from the following list as well as a 4-unit Professional capstone option
| ACC717 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACI700 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALC701 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALC703 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALR703 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACG706 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALC702 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALC708 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
Details of specialisations
Visual Communication Design
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
Select four units from the following list as well as the 4-unit capstone option
| ACG702 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACG703 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACG706 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACI700 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACG708 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACG709 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
Details of specialisations
Television Production
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne)
Units
Select four units from the following list as well as the 4-unit capstone option:
| ACF700 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACF701 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACF702 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACF703 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACF704 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACF705 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
Details of specialisations
Public Relations
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
Select four units from the following list as well as the 4-unit capstone option
| ALR700 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALR701 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALR710 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALR731 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALR704 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALR718 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALR782 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ALR733 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
Note: Students wishing to qualify for membership of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) must select at least 6 credit points of ALR-coded units and complete their research thesis on an approved Public Relations project.
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.