Master of Arts (Journalism)

What is this course about?

CSU's Journalism program is designed for graduates of any discipline who wish to gain a professional qualification in journalism, and aims to prepare students for entry-level positions in journalism

These courses are designed for graduates of any discipline who wish to gain a professional qualification in journalism, and aims to prepare students for entry-level positions in journalism. No prior journalism or media experience is required.

Credit and articulation

The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma (exit point only) articulate with the Master degree and credit is awarded in the Master degree for the subjects completed in the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma. Credit is not given for the Graduate Certificate in Print Journalism.

Access to allowances for study

Students in the Master degree are eligible for income support through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE).

Eligible students undertaking approved Master degrees will be able to access Youth Allowance, AUSTUDY, ABSTUDY or Pensioner Education Supplement. To be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and AUSTUDY, students will still need to be studying full-time and to satisfy all other Youth Allowance and AUSTUDY program requirements, including personal, parental or partner income tests.  Students who have queries about masters courses and their income support entitlements should contact Centrelink on 13 24 90 for further information.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

The Graduate Certificate consists of 32 credit points chosen from:

  • five subjects designed to provide the necessary background and context for news and public affairs reporting in the contemporary communication landscape

The exit point only Graduate Diploma consists of 64 credit points comprising:

  • the five subjects offered at Graduate Certificate level, plus
  • one specialist reporting subject that prepares students for journalistic roles in a range of media.

The Master degree (by project) consists of 96 credit points from:

  • the five subjects offered at Graduate Certificate level, plus
  • two specialist reporting subjects that prepares students for journalistic roles in a range of media, and
  • a journalism project subject comprising analysis and production of news stories and features either for print, broadcast or online media examining a significant social, cultural, ethical, historical or political trend in Australia or overseas.
The Master degree (by dissertation) consists of 96 credit points from:
  • the five subjects offered at Graduate Certificate level, plus
  • one specialist reporting subject that prepares students for journalistic roles in a range of media, and
  • a dissertation subject that provides a theoretical framework for the exploration of a significant social, cultural, ethical, historical or political trend in a journalistic context.
Enrolment in the dissertation option is by approval of the Course Coordinator.

Enrolment pattern

Students may enter at the Graduate Certificate or Master level.

Graduate Certificate students may enter in Session 1, 2 or 3.

MA students may only enter in Session 1 or 2.

Graduate Certificate - Session 1 intake

Session 1

JRN524 Journalism Cultures
JRN520 Research and Reporting for Journalism

Session 2

JRN523 Newswriting
JRN504 Journalism, Law and Ethics

MA students may elect to exit at this point and graduate with the award Graduate Certificate of Journalism GradCertJourn.

Graduate Certificate - Session 2 intake

Session 1

JRN523 Newswriting
JRN504 Journalism, Law and Ethics

Session 2

COM531 Issues, Risk & Crisis Communication (16)

MA students may elect to exit at this point and graduate with the award Graduate Certificate of Journalism GradCertJourn.

Graduate Certificate - Session 3 intake

Session 1

COM531 Issues, Risk & Crisis Communication (16)

Session 2

JRN524 Journalism Cultures
JRN520 Research and Reporting for Journalism

Master degree - by project - Session 1 intake

Sessions 1-2 as above for the Graduate Certificate - Session 1 intake

Session 3

COM531 Issues, Risk & Crisis Communication (16)

Session 4

JRN521 News Reporting (16)

Students may elect to exit at this point and graduate with the award Graduate Diploma of Journalism GradDipJourn

Session 5

JRN522 Specialist Reporting (16 points)

Session 6

JRN519 Journalism Project (16)

Master degree - by project - Session 2 intake

Sessions 1-2 as above for the Graduate Certificate - Session 2 intake

Session 3

JRN524 Journalism Cultures
JRN520 Research and Reporting for Journalism

Session 4

JRN522 Specialist Reporting (16)

Students may elect to exit at this point and graduate with the award Graduate Diploma of Journalism GradDipJourn

Session 5

JRN519 Journalism Project (16)

Session 6

JRN521 News Reporting (16)

Master degree - by dissertation - Session 1 intake

Sessions 1-2 as above for the Graduate Certificate - Session 1 intake

Session 3

COM531 Issues, Risk & Crisis Communication (16)

Session 4

JRN521 News Reporting (16)

Students may elect to exit at this point and graduate with the award Graduate Diploma of Journalism GradDipJourn

Session 5

JRN525 Journalism Dissertation (32) - commenced

Session 6

JRN525 Journalism Dissertation (32) - completed

Master degree - by dissertation - Session 2 intake

Sessions 1-2 as above for the Graduate Certificate - Session 2 intake

Session 3

JRN524 Journalism Cultures
JRN520 Research and Reporting for Journalism

Session 4

JRN525 Journalism Dissertation (32) - commenced

Session 5

JRN525 Journalism Dissertation (32) - completed

Session 6

JRN521 News Reporting (16)

Admission requirements

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than journalism, or its equivalent in professional experience.

Applicants without tertiary qualifications may demonstrate equivalent professional experience through five years full-time employment and/or attainment of industry accreditations in a discipline other than journalism.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

 

 

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2; Session 3

Australian and New Zealand students

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Admission code:

  • Master
    • Fee paying - OAMC
    • Commonwealth supported place - EAMC
  • Graduate Certificate
    • Fee-paying place - OACP
    • Commonwealth supported place - EACP

International Students

Apply online

Admission code: Master - JAMJ
Graduate Certificate - JACJ

Recruitment agent

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