Master of Arts (Communication - Organisational Communication)

MA(Comm-OrgComm)

 

Graduate Diploma of Organisational Communication

GradDipOrgComm

 

Graduate Certificate in Organisational Communication

GradCertOrgComm

 

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Fees apply

The Master degree is designed for communication practitioners working in public relations, organisational communication or communication related areas of business, education and government. It focuses on strategies and methods that can be applied to communication problem-solving in a variety of contexts.

The Graduate Diploma is an excellent transition or development program for senior professionals in management, human resources and related professions who need to improve their understanding of communication processes and external communication strategies. It is also a comprehensive and contemporary study program for senior communication advisers and professionals wishing to upgrade their skills and qualifications.

The course introduces critical theories underpinning communication practice. It extends from the internal environment of an organisation into the external public or stakeholder issues.

The Graduate Certificate in Organisational Communication has been designed primarily for practitioners in communication and related fields. The course exposes students to a variety of communication and social theories, and to research methodologies, which can be applied to careers in public relations, organisational communication, business communication or communication related areas of business, education and government. The Graduate Certificate comprises the first four subjects in the Master program.

Enrolment through

Bathurst Campus

Study mode

Distance education

Normal course duration

Master degree: Part-time 2-3 years (4-6 sessions)*

Graduate Diploma: 2 years (4 sessions)

Graduate Certificate: Part-time 1 year (2 sessions)

*The Master degree may be completed in less than three years depending upon progress in the coursework and dissertation components of the course.

Articulation

The Graduate Certificate articulates with the Graduate Diploma and the Master degree. Credit is given for subjects completed in the Graduate Certificate. The Graduate Diploma articulates with the Master degree and credit is given for subjects completed in the Graduate Diploma.

Graduation requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 96 points (taken as the equivalent of eight 8 point subjects and a dissertation of 32 points or twelve 8 point subjects) for the Master degree, 64 points (eight compulsory subjects) for the Graduate Diploma or 32 points (four subjects) for the Graduate Certificate.

Course structure

The course structure for the Master degree is designed for students completing the program in the distance education part-time mode. It is possible for students to complete graduation requirements in less than three years by distance education full-time study or a combination of distance education full-time and part-time study.

All students must complete:

  two theory subjects which provide a foundation for later, specialised subject materials in organisational communication theory and research;

  two research design and methods subjects taken in conjunction with the foundation theory subjects, which provide a basis from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives;

  three specialist subjects which are designed to apply contemporary perspectives and methods to communication problem-solving. Selected students may also be given the option of one directed study subject in an area of their choice, provided that the material to be covered is not directly related to their proposed dissertation research;

  a seminar in organisational communication which involves searching strategies and related secondary research techniques, and preparation and presentation of a detailed research proposal; and

  EITHER a dissertation of 32 points which will examine a specific aspect of organisational communication theory and research and be a significant contribution to the field; OR a special area of study in any postgraduate area and related analytical projects.

 

Restricted electives

These can be taken from postgraduate programs in approved areas of health management, government, human resources, media issues, business, cultural studies, politics or marketing.

Enrolment pattern

February intake

Graduate Certificate

Session 1

COM510    Foundations of Communication Theory

COM505    Individual Communication Management

 

Session 2

COM511    Applied Communication Research

COM506    Communication in Organisations

 

Graduate Diploma

February intake

Sessions 1-2 as above

Session 3

COM507    Communication, Technology and  Culture

COM512    External Communication: Issues and Strategies

 

Session 4

COM513    Crisis and Issues Management

COM 516   Project in External Communication: Issues and Strategies

 

July intake

Sessions 1-2 as above

Session 3

COM 513   Crisis and Issues Management

COM516    Project in External Communication: Issue and Strategies

 

Session 4

COM507    Communication, Technology & Culture

COM512    External Communication: Issues and Strategies

 

Master degree

Sessions 1-2 as above

Session 3

COM507    Communication, Technology & Culture

COM512    External Communication: Issues and Strategies

                  or

COM508    Directed Readings*

 

*May only be taken with approval of Course Coordinator

Coursework strand

Session 4

COM513    Crisis and Issues Management

[            ]    Elective 1

 

Session 5

COM514    Project in Crisis & Issues Management

[            ]    Elective 2

 

Session 6

COM515    Communication Project in Elective Stream (16 points)

 

Dissertation strand

Session 4

COM513    Crisis and Issues Management

COM509    Seminar in Organisational Communication

 

Session 5

COM500    Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)

 

Session 6

COM500    Dissertation (completed)

 

July intake

Graduate Certificate

Session 1

COM511    Applied Communication Research

COM506    Communication in Organisations

 

Session 2

COM505    Individual Communication Management

COM512    External Communication: Issues and Strategies

 

Master degree

Sessions 1-2 as above

Coursework strand

Session 3

COM513    Crisis and Issues Management

[            ]    Elective 1

 

Session 4

COM510    Foundations of Communication Theory

COM507    Communication, Technology & Culture

                  or

COM508    Directed Readings*

 

*May only be taken with approval of Course Coordinator

Session 5

COM515    Communication Project in Elective Stream (16 points)

 

Session 6

COM514    Project in Crisis & Issues Management

[            ]    Elective 2

 

Dissertation strand

Session 3

COM513    Crisis & Issues Management

COM509    Seminar in Organisational Communication

 

Session 4

COM510    Foundations of Communication Theory

COM507    Communication, Technology & Culture

                  or

COM508    Directed Readings*

 

*May only be taken with approval of Course Coordinator

Session 5

COM500    Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)

 

Session 6

COM500    Dissertation (completed)

 

Residential schools

Residential schools for the course are held on campus each year in addition to off campus workshops and telephone conferences. Students will be advised of these events in the preceding session.

Inquiries

Course Coordinator

Peter Simmons

School of Communication

Telephone: (02) 6338 4521

Facsimile: (02) 6338 4409

Email: psimmons@csu.edu.au

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