Master of Communication

2019 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2019 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2019 course information
Award granted	Master of Communication
Course Map	These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2019: Option A Option B These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2019: Option A Option B These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2019: Option A Option B 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 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

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.

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.

Alternative exits

Graduate Certificate of Communication (A539)
Graduate Diploma of Communication (A639)
Graduate Diploma of Digital Media (A634)
Graduate Diploma of Journalism (A649)
Graduate Diploma of Public Relations (A643)
Graduate Diploma of Visual Communication Design (A638)

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 research project for an industry audience. An academic research project (scholarly thesis) option is also available. Students who undertake the academic research project will be eligible to apply for a PhD.

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, Public Relations, Digital Media, 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 across a range of 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 industries.
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 award of Master of Communication, students must successfully complete 16 credit points of study comprising:

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

Core Communication Program (4 credit points)

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 credit points)
ACX702 Applied Research Methods for Communication (2 credit points)

Specialisation and Capstone Program (8 credit points)

Students must complete 8 credit points 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-point specialisation-specific units selected from one only of five specialisations (Digital Media; Journalism; Public Relations; Television Production; or Visual Communication); and
a four-credit-point professional capstone program including a mandatory research project whose topic is relevant to that specialisation

Electives (4 credit points)

Students select 4 credit points of 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 at least two credit points of electives using ALR-coded units, unless advised otherwise.

Specialisations

Refer to the details of each specialisation for availability.

Journalism

Public Relations

Television Production (Burwood campus only)

Visual Communication Design

Digital Media

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

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, based on performance in 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

Course structure

Core units

ACX701

Communication Concepts (2 credit points)

ACX702

Applied Research Methods for Communication (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

Law, Media and Communication

ALJ710

Multimedia Journalism

ALJ712

Broadcast Journalism

ALJ721

International News

ALJ722

Investigative and Narrative Journalism

ALJ728

Feature Writing

ALJ729

Newsroom Practice

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

Digital Publishing

ACG703

Design and Digital Skills

ACG706

Designing for Web Environments

ACI700

Introduction to Digital Photography

ACG708

Design Thinking and Problem Solving

ACG709

Strategic Branding and Design

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

Writing with the Camera

ACF701

Television Studio Production

ACF702

Television Commercial Production

ACF703

Fractured TV: Audiences, Formats, Technology and Regulation

ACF704

Talking Heads: Personality and Persona On Screen

ACF705

Documentary Production Practice

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

Public Relations Campaigns

ALR701

Public Relations Writing and Tactics

ALR710

Marketing Communication

ALR731

Public Relations Theory and Practice

ALR704

Reputation Management: Crisis, Risk and Responsibility

ALR718

Public Relations, Activism and Social Change

ALR782

Public Affairs and Opinion Formation

ALR733

Advertising Theory and Practice

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.