Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Communication (Journalism)

2022 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2022 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2022 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Communication (Journalism)
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2022. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2022. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2022. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Campus	For students who commenced prior to 2023 only
Cloud Campus	No
Duration	4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	104739C Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
Deakin course code	D358
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 7.
Students and Applicants to Geelong Waterfront Campus Travel between campuses will be required to complete this combined degree. The Bachelor of Commerce degree will be taught at Waterfront campus and the Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) degree will be taught at the Waurn Ponds Campus.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Deakin's Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) empowers you to solve the commercial problems of the future in a world that has never been hungrier for news.

In this complementary double degree you will learn to think more critically as you gain a strong foundation in all aspects of commerce at Deakin's world-class business school. The commerce stream will equip you with technical skills and professional capabilities to become a confident leader in the world of commerce. Authentic and practical learning experiences challenge you to solve real commercial and community issues.

At the same time, learn how to engage with multiple audiences and deliver news across a range of media platforms with your communications degree. Develop your ability to identify, research and plan news and feature stories, so you can write, edit and publish them straight from our newsroom and creative media labs on campus.

Want versatile, job-ready skills in both communication (journalism) and commerce?

In this combined course, you will study a range of topics across both areas. Develop your business knowledge through one of our commerce majors:

accounting
economics
finance
financial planning
human resources management
management
management information systems
marketing.

Complement your commerce expertise with key journalism and communication skills. Through industry experience, and guided by media practitioners with extensive experience across print, television, radio and digital media, you’ll learn about:

community journalism
feature writing
interview techniques
media law and ethics
multi-platform and broadcast journalism
news reporting
researching stories.

You will also get sought-after broadcasting experience during your studies through an internship with a major newspaper, radio station or television network.

Because your teachers are active in their fields, you'll enjoy a classroom that's innovative, contemporary and provides industry expertise. Plus, you will have the chance to grow your connections through their professional networks.

Both degrees offer opportunities to get involved in hands-on learning including overseas study tours, international and domestic internships, work placements and exchanges. Graduate with a well-rounded and global perspective employers will love.

Professional recognition

Deakin Business School is in the top 1% of business schools globally by holding both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to business schools that meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring our graduates are employable worldwide.

Depending on the major sequence you choose, your Bachelor of Commerce component may give you eligibility for a range of professional memberships and accreditations.

Students who complete the accounting major sequence are eligible to apply for:

the CA Program of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
Associate membership for the CPA Program
IPA Program of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Students who complete the marketing major sequence are eligible for a one-year credit reduction from the five years needed to become a Certified Practicing Marketer by the Australian Marketing Institute (AIM).

Students who complete the financial planning major sequence will satisfy the education standards prescribed by the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) to be able to provide financial advice in Australia and be eligible for entry into the certification programs of the professional financial planning associations – the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification Program offered by the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and the Fellow Chartered Financial Practitioner designation offered by the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA).

Commerce graduates may also be eligible to apply for membership to these key professional bodies (depending on units taken):
* Australian HR Institute (AHRI)
* Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML)
* Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)

Students should consult with a course adviser to identify any additional requirements for membership for each professional body, and also consult with the professional body.

Career opportunities

As a Bachelor of Commerce/ Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) graduate, you’ll be ready for a variety of career opportunities including:

accountant
economist
financial planner
human resource manager
marketing manager
account manager
advertising copywriters
book, magazine or newspaper editors
copywriters
digital content managers
digital marketing specialists
food writers
foreign correspondents
journalists
magazine writers
media and communications advisers
news presenters
reporters
social media coordinators
speechwriters
travel writers.

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

Bachelor of Commerce (M300)
Diploma of Business Studies (M201)

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

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 photocopying or travel.

Course Learning Outcomes

See course entry for Bachelor of Commerce (M300) or Bachelor of Communication (Journalism)(A331)

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication (Journalism), students must complete 32 credit points plus the compulsory 0-credit point module, MAI010 Academic Integrity Module .

Course structure

Students will undertake 16 credit points from M300 Bachelor of Commerce and 16 credit points from A331 Bachelor of Communication (Journalism)
Course requirements for the Bachelor of Commerce (M300) and the Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) (A331) must be satisfied as below:

Compulsory 0-credit point unit:-

To be completed in the first trimester of study.

MAI010 Academic Integrity Module

16 credit points of Commerce coded units:-

8 credit points of core units (MAA103, MAF101, MAE101, MWL101, MIS171, MMM132, MLC101, MMK101)
one Commerce major sequence of 8 credit points must be included
Level 3 - at least 4 credit points (which must be course grouped to a Faculty of Business and Law undergraduate degree)

16 credit points of Communication (Journalism) coded units:

12 credit points of core units: (ACC100, ALJ111, ALJ112, ACC213, ALJ216, ALJ218, ALJ221, ACC320, ACC321, ALJ304, ALJ330, ALJ331)
2 credit points of course electives from level 1 (List A): ACG103, ALA101, ALA102, ALM101, ALM102, ALR103, ALR104 and either IND101 or IND102
2 credit points of course electives from level 2/3 (List B): ALM202, ALM215, MIS203, ACC303, ALA302, ALJ324, ALR376 and either IND203 or IND301

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.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Research and research-related study

Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.