Course Overview
Deakin University is a national leader in the provision of professional development programs for people working in the communication industry.

It works in partnership with major employers and professional associations to deliver top quality programs in public relations, journalism and all aspects of professional communication.

Deakin has designed its journalism postgraduate program to help integrate academic studies with work and personal commitments.  The Graduate Certificate of Journalism is offered on and off campus and is supported by a wide range of services.

Postgraduate journalism courses provide an intensive practical component, ensuring strong job entry skills.  The courses will enhance journalistic creative and critical thinking skills, which are essential to progression in this vibrant profession, and will also prepare students for the challenges they will face in the twenty-first century by helping develop the analytical skills necessary for reporting events in context.

These courses build on the knowledge base of graduates to enable them to move across professional fields. The courses are also designed for people working in the journalism industry who are seeking to upgrade their qualifications or to refresh or advance their professional skills.

Course Rules
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Journalism, a student must successfully complete 4 credit points of study from the specified list of units below.

Course structure

Semester 1

ALJ724 Law and Ethics for Professional Communicators  

ALJ728 Feature Writing  

ALJ729 Newsroom Practice  

Semester 2

ALJ710 Reporting for the Multi-Media Environment  

ALJ722 Journalism in Contemporary Society  

ALJ725 Editing and Design in a Multiple Media Environment  

ALR715 Communication Entrepreneur  

ALR733 Advertising Theory and Practice

Admission requirements
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.

In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicants previous academic record.

The minimum requirements are:
(i) successful completion of a three-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an approved university or other educational institution or
(ii) successful completion of other equivalent qualifications gained by examination or
(iii) approved professional or industrial experience

English language requirements - Postgraduate courses
Postgraduate applicants to Deakin University must demonstrate their competence in English by providing certified/notarised documentary evidence of one of the following. Certain courses may require a higher level of English proficiency.

(i) Where the applicant’s first language is English and secondary and/or undergraduate studies were conducted in English, a certified/notarised copy of the applicant’s studies record, clearly indicating that English was the language of instruction, must be supplied.
(ii) An overall band score of 6.5 or better in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test (Academic module) conducted by the British Council/IDP Education Australia office, provided that no individual band score is less that 6.
(iii) A score of 237 or better (essay rating 5) in the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
(iv) Satisfactory completion of a post secondary studies program which is at least two years full time or equivalent within the last five years in an institution where English is the language of instruction and assessment.
(v) A minimum of three years professional practice in English, and satisfactory completion of study in English language leading to certification by the governing body of the profession.
(vi) Successful completion of an English language program at the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) or other English language program deemed to be equivalent to this by the Academic Board.
(vii) Satisfactory completion of the DUELI test of English language competence.
(viii) Other evidence of English language competence deemed acceptable by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

University Profile
More than 40 percent of Deakin students study by distance education.

Deakin has many years' experience in using online technologies to support and enhance the learning experiences of distance education students.

Distance education is an ideal choice for people who do not live near a campus to complete a course; or for people who wish to combine study with their job, as you may choose when and where you study.

Teaching and learning
Off-campus courses are the same as on-campus courses – the only difference is that rather than attend lectures, tutorials and practical classes in person, you study using a variety of other methods.

Deakin Studies Online (DSO)
DSO is Deakin University’s online teaching and learning environment. It delivers web-based course material and assessment tasks and facilitates communication and collaboration between staff and students.

DSO is being implemented as the university-wide learning management system.

Deakin's online environment gives you flexible and convenient access to learning resources and will enrich your learning experiences.

Distance Campus Support - Deakin University Student Association
The Distance Student section of the Deakin University Student Association website is devoted to information tailor-fitted to the needs of off-campus students on what DUSA in general and the Distance Campus Committee (DCC) in particular can do.

The DCC is here to represent YOU if you are a student at Deakin studying off-campus: looking out for your needs, putting you in contact with services, representing you to the University and making themselves available for advice.