Master of Communication

2027 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2027 course information
Award granted	Master of Communication
Deakin course code	A743
Course credit points	16
Course version	3
Faculty	Faculty of Arts and Education
Course information	For students who commenced from 2018 onwards
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Duration	2 years full-time or part-time equivalent The time and cost could be reduced based on your previous qualifications and professional experience. This means you can fast track the masters degree from 2 years down to 1.5 years, or even 1 year duration. See entry requirements below for more information.
Course map - enrolment planning tool	The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
CRICOS 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

As technology and global business keep evolving, strong communication and critical thinking skills matter more than ever. Deakin’s Master of Communication helps you build both, so you can lead, influence and thrive.

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, collaborative and stimulating learning environment, guided by experienced staff in industry-grade facilities.

Gain practical experience through internships, volunteering and Deakin’s work-integrated learning opportunities, while building your professional network. Develop your portfolio through a capstone project and graduate as a well-rounded, reflective communications practitioner, ready for roles such as corporate affairs director, investigative journalist, PR practitioner and more.

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
marketing manager
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

Graduate Certificate of Communication (A539)
Graduate Diploma of Communication (A639)

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

Course Learning Outcomes
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.
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.
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.
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.
Analyse, evaluate, and critique complex information in order to identify problems and develop creative solutions in a range of professional practice and scholarly contexts.
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.
Work and learn collaboratively in professional communication practice and in scholarly contexts, including exercising initiative and accountability as a team member.
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

Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.

Course rules

To complete the Master of Communication you must pass 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.

A 16-credit point Master of Communication includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
4 credit points of Digital Communication discipline core
4 credit points of Strategic Communication discipline core
4 credit points of capstone units chosen from the following:
- Capstone A (4 credit points)
  OR
- Capstone B (4 credit points)
any remaining credit points can be chosen from course electives.

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Core units

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

Digital Communication Discipline Core

ALC702

Making Sense and Dollars in Communities Online

ALC708

Social Media Content Creation

ALR703

Digital Brand Storytelling

ASM700

Sports Media in the Digital Age

Strategic Communication Discipline Core

ACC717

Law, Ethics and Communication Practice

ALR704

Reputation Management: Crisis, Risk and Responsibility

ALR710

Advanced Brand Communication

ALR718

Communication for Social Change

Capstone units

Option A

ACX701

Communication Concepts

ACX703

Developing a Communication Research Project

ALX724

Masters Research Project C

ALX725

Masters Research Project D

Option B

ACX701

Communication Concepts

ALX723

Masters Research Project B

ALX724

Masters Research Project C

ALX725

Masters Research Project D

ACX704 Academic Research Project 1 [No longer available for enrolment]

ACX705 Academic Research Project 2 [No longer available for enrolment]

ACX706 Academic Research Project 3 [No longer available for enrolment]

ACX707 Professional Research Project 1 [No longer available for enrolment for this course]

ACX708 Professional Research Project 2 [No longer available for enrolment for this course]

ALX720 Minor Research Project [No longer available for enrolment]

Course electives

Electives are to be chosen from units within the specialisations or discipline core units within the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), Master of Film and Television, Master of Fine Arts or Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice.

The internship unit ACC700 is also available.

Please Note: Course elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning
experiences.

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Fees and charges

Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.

Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.

Estimate your fees

Further information

Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page .

Contact Student Central