The course includes the following awards:

Graduate Certificate in Communication (Journalism) GradCertComm(Journ)

Graduate Certificate in Communication (Organisational Communication) GradCertComm(OrgComm)

Graduate Diploma of Communication (Journalism) GradDipJourn

Graduate Diploma of Communication (Organisational Communication) GradDipComm(OrgComm)

Master of Communication MComm

Master of Communication (Journalism) MComm(Journ)

Master of Communication (Organisational Communication) MComm(OrgComm)

Course Study Modes and Locations

Graduate Certificate in Communication (Journalism) (1315JR)

Distance Education - Bathurst

Graduate Certificate in Communication (Organisational Communication) (1315OC)

Distance Education - Bathurst

Master of Communication (1715CO)

Distance Education - Bathurst

Availability is subject to change, please verify prior to enrolment.

Normal course duration

Master of Communication (generic and with specialisations)

Full-time 2 years (4.0 sessions)

Part-time 4.0 years (8.0 sessions)

1.5 years FTE for students entering with related undergraduate degree or Graduate Certificate.

Graduate Diploma of Communication (with specialisations) [Exit Point Only]

Full-time 1 years (2.0 sessions)

Part-time 2.0 years (4.0 sessions)

Graduate Certificate in Communication (with specialisations)

Full-time 0.5 years (1.0 sessions)

Part-time 1.0 years (2.0 sessions)

Normal course duration is the effective period of time taken to complete a course when studied Full-time (Full-time Equivalent: FTE). Students are advised to consult the Enrolment Pattern for the actual length of study. Not all courses are offered in Full-time mode.

Admission criteria

CSU Admission Policy

Master of Communication (generic and with specialisations)

Master of Communication (with or without specialisation) 128 points

Applicants without tertiary qualifications must satisfactorily complete the Graduate Certificate of Communication (with specialisation) prior to admission to the Master of Communication.

1. Successful completion of an undergraduate degree;
or
2. Successful completion of a Graduate Certificate, or equivalent.

Master of Communication (with or without specialisation) 96 points

1. Successful completion of a relevant undergraduate degree;
or
2. Successful completion of the CSU Communication Graduate Certificate, or equivalent.

Graduate Certificate in Communication (with specialisations)

1. An undergraduate degree;
   or
2. For applicants without tertiary qualifications a letter of motivation must be provided together with evidence of at least four years relevant work experience.

Credit

CSU Credit Policy

Master of Communication (generic and with specialisations)

Students entering the Master program with a related undergraduate degree or Graduate Certificate will be awarded 32 points unspecified non-core Credit.

Graduate Certificate in Communication (with specialisations)

The Graduate Certificate articulates with the Graduate Diploma and the Master degree within each specialisation. Arrangements for switching specialisation are dealt with case by case by the course director.

Articulation

The Master, Graduate Diploma [Exit Point Only] and Graduate Certificate make up an articulated set of courses and credit is given in each higher level course for the subjects completed in the lower.

Graduation requirements

Master of Communication (generic and with specialisations)

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 128 points.

Graduate Diploma of Communication (with specialisations) [Exit Point Only]

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 64 points.

Graduate Certificate in Communication (with specialisations)

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 32 points.

Course Structure

The course consists of the following, duration and points to complete are defined by the student’s admission credit, as follows:

• students entering with a Bachelor (level 7) qualification in the same discipline will be required to complete 96 points (1.5 years FTE)
• Students entering with a Graduate Diploma (level 8) qualification in the same discipline will be required to complete 64 points (1.0 years FTE)
• students entering with a Bachelor (level 7) qualification from a different discipline will be required to complete 128 points (2 years FTE)
• students entering with a Graduate Diploma (level 8) from a different discipline will be required to complete 96 points (1.5 years FTE)

Arrangements for switching specialisation are dealt with case by case by the course director.

Subjects

Foundation communication
CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Specialisations
Journalism specialisation subjects
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16)

Organisational communication specialisation subjects
COM538 Communication in organisations (16)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16)
COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Master of Communication 96 credit points

Minimum 64 credit points from foundation subjects
CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16)

including core
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

And
Minimum 16 credit points from

JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16)

COM538 Communication in organisations (16)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16)
COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Master of Communication 128 points

Minimum 64 credit points from foundation subjects
CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16)

including core
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

And
Minimum 48 credit points from
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16)

COM538 Communication in organisations (16)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16)
COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Journalism specialisation
Graduate Certificate in Communication (Journalism) 32 points
Two 16 credit point subjects including minimum of one specialist subject:
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16)

And may include a maximum of one foundation subject:

CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16)

Graduate Diploma of Communication (Journalism) 64 points
Minimum one foundation subject from
CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16)

And minimum two specialisation subjects from
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16)

Master of Communication (Journalism) 96 points

Minimum 48 credit points from foundation subjects
CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16) (core)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32) (core)

And
Minimum 32 specialisation credit points from
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16)

Master of Communication (Journalism) 128 points

Minimum 64 credit points from foundation subjects
CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16) (core)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32) (core)

And
48 specialisation credit points
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16)

Organisational Communication specialisation
Graduate Certificate in Communication (Organisational Communication) 32 points
Two 16 credit point subjects including minimum of one specialist subject:
COM538 Communication in organisations (16)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16)
COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

And may include a maximum of one foundation subject:
CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16)

Graduate Diploma of Communication (Organisational Communication) 64 points
Minimum one foundation subject from
CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16)

And minimum two specialisation subjects from
COM538 Communication in organisations (16)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16)
COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Master of Communication (Organisational Communication) 96 points

Minimum 48 credit points from foundation subjects
CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16) (core)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32) (core)

And
Minimum 32 specialisation credit points from
COM538 Communication in organisations (16)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16)
COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Master of Communication (Organisational Communication) 128 points

Minimum 64 credit points from foundation subjects
CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16) (core)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32) (core)

And
48 Specialisation credit points
COM538 Communication in organisations (16)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16)
COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Other elective subjects not mentioned above may be considered and approved by the course director.

Enrolment Pattern

A flexible approach to subject selection has been adopted to enable students to proceed according to their needs and career aspirations. There is no prescribed enrolment pattern but suggested patterns will be offered to students to ensure they meet course graduation and any subject prerequisite requirements.

All Master students take a Foundation communication masters dissertation / project subject, this is a capstone subject that should be taken towards the end of the program.

Course progressions below assume students completing 16 points each session, but faster progress will not be discouraged.

Students entering session 30 with Bachelor qualification in same discipline

Master of Communication 96 points

Session 1 (30)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16) or COM538 Communication in organisations (16)

Session 2 (60)
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16) or COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 3 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 4 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 5 (60) and Session 6 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Journalism specialisation 96 points

Session 1 (30)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16)

Session 2 (60)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16)

Session 3 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 4 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 5 (60) and Session 6 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Organisational communication specialisation 96 points

Session 1 (30)
COM538 Communication in organisations (16)

Session 2 (60)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 3 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 4 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 5 (60) and Session 6 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Students entering session 30 without Bachelor qualification in same discipline (128)

Master of Communication 128 points

Session 1 (30)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16) or COM538 Communication in organisations (16)

Session 2 (60)
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16) or COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 3 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 4 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 5 (60)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16) or COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 6 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 7 (60) and Session 8 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Journalism specialisation 128 points

Session 1 (30)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16)

Session 2 (60)
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16)

Session 3 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 4 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 5 (60)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16)

Session 6 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 7 (60) and Session 8 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Organisational communication specialisation 128 points

Session 1 (30)
COM538 Communication in organisations (16)

Session 2 (60)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16)

Session 3 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 4 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 5 (60)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 6 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 7 (60) and Session 8 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Students entering session 60 with Bachelor qualification in same discipline

Master of Communication 96 points

Session 1 (60)
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16) or COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 2 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 3 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 4 (60) and Session 5 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Session 6 (30)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16) or COM538 Communication in organisations (16)

Journalism specialisation 96 points

Session 1 (60)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16)

Session 2 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 3 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 4 (60) and Session 5 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Session 6 (30)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16)

Organisational communication specialisation 96 points

Session 1 (60)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16)

Session 2 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 3 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 4 (60)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 5 (60) and Session 6 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Students entering session 60 without Bachelor qualification in same discipline (128)

Master of Communication 128 points

Session 1 (60)
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16) or COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 2 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 3 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 4 (60)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16) or COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 5 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 6 (30)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16) or COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 7 (60) and Session 8 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Journalism specialisation 128 points

Session 1 (60)
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16)

Session 2 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 3 (30)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16)

Session 4 (60)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16)

Session 5 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 6 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 7 (60) and Session 8 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Organisational communication specialisation 96 points

Session 1 (60)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 2 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 3 (30)
COM538 Communication in organisations (16)

Session 4 (60)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 5 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 6 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 7 (60) and Session 8 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Students entering session 90 with Bachelor qualification in same discipline

Master of Communication 96 points

Session 1 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 2 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 3 (60)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16) or COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 4 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 5 (30) and Session 6 (60)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Journalism specialisation 96 points

Session 1 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 2 (30)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16)

Session 3 (60)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16)

Session 4 (90)
Break

Session 5 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 6 (60) and Session 7 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Organisational communication specialisation 96 points

Session 1 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 2 (30)
COM538 Communication in organisations (16)

Session 3 (60)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 4 (90)
Break

Session 5 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 6 (60) and Session 7 (90)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Students entering session 90 without Bachelor qualification in same discipline

Master of Communication 128 points

Session 1 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 2 (30)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16) or COM538 Communication in organisations (16)

Session 3 (60)
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16) or COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 4 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 5 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 6 (60)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16) or COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 7 (90) and Session 8 (30)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Journalism specialisation 128 points

Session 1 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 2 (30)
JRN527 Journalism cultures and practice (16)

Session 3 (60)
JRN526 Research, writing and reporting for journalism (16)

Session 4 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 5 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 6 (60)
JRN528 Convergent journalism (16)

Session 7 (90) and Session 8 (30)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Organisational communication specialisation 128 points

Session 1 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 2 (30)
COM538 Communication in organisations (16)

Session 3 (60)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 4 (90)
CCI502 Multiplatform communication (16) or CCI500 Professional communication trends and influences (16)

Session 5 (30)
CCI501 Communication research strategies and criticality (16)

Session 6 (60)
COM539 Issues, crisis and reputation (16) or COM540 Corporate culture and change communication (16)

Session 7 (90) and Session 8 (30)
CCI504 Communication dissertation / project (32)

Workplace learning

Please note that the following subjects may contain a Workplace Learning component.

JRN522 Specialist Reporting
JRN527 Journalism Cultures and Practice

Accreditation

Professional organisational communicators are diverse in their practice and background. There is no single accrediting body, and no license or membership requirement to practice as a professional communicator.

Public relations is not a licensed profession, but it does have an active peak body with more than 3000 members, the Public Relations Association of Australia (PRIA).

The Master of Organisational Communication course was accredited by the PRIA in late 2009 for 5 years.

Accreditation reflects the PRIA's approval of the course content and learning for the practice of public relations. The School of Communication and Creative Industries has placed considerable importance on PRIA accreditation since its accreditation program started in the early 1990s as it provides a benchmark for the PR industry's expectations of courses and graduates.

The new Master of Communication (Organisational Communication) will seek reaccreditation in 2015.