Course Overview
The Master of Arts (Professional Communication) is a stimulating course which recognises that advances in communication technologies and the increasing globalisation of business enterprises requires professionals with advanced qualifications in communication skills. It acknowledges that a broader range of skills is required to remain competitive and maintain competencies. The program provides a coherent and flexible structure through which students may broaden their career options. It is designed to facilitate specific and intensive professional training within journalism, media and communication, professional writing or public relations, together with the possibility of cross-disciplinary explorations.

Course Rules
To qualify for the Master of Arts (Professional Communication), a student must successfully complete 12 credit points of study comprising: (a) at least 4 credit points (including core units) of study from one of the specialisations: Journalism; Public Relations; Professional Writing; or Media and Communication (b) a minimum of 6 credit points to be taken from one or more of the specialisations (c) a further 6 credit points of electives selected from units offered in the specialisations and/or from units offered in the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature)

Specialisations
Journalism
Media and Communication
Professional Writing
Public Relations

Course Structure
Journalism

Semester 1

ALJ724 Law and Ethics for Professional Communicators (B, X)  

ALJ728 Feature Writing (B, X)  

ALJ729 Newsroom Practice (B, X)  

Semester 2

ALJ710 Reporting for the Multi-Media Environment (B, X)  

ALJ722 Journalism in Contemporary Society (B, X)  

ALJ725 Editing and Design in a Multiple Media Environment (B, X)  

ALR715 Communication Entrepreneur (B)  

ALR733 Advertising Theory and Practice (B, X)  

ALX721 Creative Industries Internship (B) 

Core unit

Semester 1

ALC706 Culture, Communication and Globalisation: Critical Practices in/and Local Cultures (B, X)  

Electives

Semester 1

ACM717 Television Commercial Production (B)  

ACM723 Media Futures: Technology, Regulation and Markets (B, X)  

ACM730 Images, Symbols and Identity (X)  

ALW729 Writing for Communication Media (B, X)  

ALX701 Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods: An Overview (B, X)  

Semester 2

ACM701 Global Media and War (B, X)  

ACM716 Building Creative Partnerships (B)  

ACM718 Corporate and Community Documentary Production (B)  

ACM727 Media Design (X)  

ACM733 My Story: Autobiographical and Experimental Video Production (B)  

ALC705 Organisational Communication: Culture, Diversity, Technology and Change (X)  

ALC707 Identities (X)  

ALR715 Communication Entrepreneur (B)  

ALX721 Creative Industries Internship (B)

Note: Professional Writing B units require A units as a prerequisite .

Electives

Semester 1

ALW729 Writing for Communication Media (B, X)  

ALW730 Creative Non-Fiction Writing A (B, X)  

ALW732 Fiction Writing: Story, Structure and Starting Out (B, X)  

ALW734 Script Writing A (B)  

ALW736 Poetics of Writing A (B)  

ALW738 Editing (B, X)  

Semester 2

ACM733 My Story: Autobiographical and Experimental Video Production (B)  

ALR715 Communication Entrepreneur (B)  

ALW720 Travel Writing (B, X)  

ALW731 Creative Non-Fiction Writing B (B, X)  

ALW733 Fiction Writing: Ideas and Innovations (B, X)  

ALW735 Script Writing B (B)  

ALW737 Poetics of Writing B (B)  

ALW739 Publishing (B, X)  

ALX721 Creative Industries Internship (B)  

Summer semester

ALW749 Crossing Borders - in Country Travel and Research Project   

Note: Students wishing to qualify for membership of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) must select 6 credit points of ALR-coded units including ALR700, ALR704, ALR731 and ALR732.

Electives

Semester 1

AIP740 Public Policy Analysis (X)  

ALR704 Public Relations Management (B, X)  

ALR706 Electronic and Internet Public Relations (X)  

ALR710 Marketing Communication (B, X)  

ALR718 New Activism, Communication and Citizenship (B, X)  

ALR731 Public Relations Theory and Practice (B, X)  

Semester 2

ALR700 Public Relations Campaigns (B, X)  

ALR701 Public Relations Writing and Tactics (B, X)  

ALR715 Communication Entrepreneur (B)  

ALR732 Public Relations Research Methods (B, X)  

ALR733 Advertising Theory and Practice (B, X)  

ALR782 Public Affairs and Opinion Formation (ONLINE)  

ALX721 Creative Industries Internship (B)  

* not offered 2007, offered 2008

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. Unless otherwise stated, applicants must have satisfied the University’s minimum postgraduate English requirements no more than two years preceding the date of their enrolment at Deakin. Certain courses may require a higher level of English proficiency.

1. An overall band score of 6.5 or better in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test (Academic module) with no individual band score less than 6.
2. A score of 237 or better (essay rating 4.5) in the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
3. A score of 92 or better (writing score 21) in the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT).
4. A score of 580 or better (writing score 4.5) in the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
5. Satisfactory completion of a post-secondary qualification within the last five years at an institution where English is the language of instruction and assessment and evidence of at least two academic years of English language study.
6. Satisfactory completion of at least two academic years of full-time study in a university degree program where English is the language of instruction and assessment.
7. A minimum of three years professional practice in English, and/or satisfactory completion of study in English language leading to certification by the governing body of the profession. A letter from an employer on company letterhead stating that English is the language of business.
8. Completion of an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) 4 program at the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) with a final assessment result of 60% or higher within the last twelve months prior to enrolment.
9. Satisfactory completion of the DUELI test of English language competence within in the last six months prior to enrolment.
10. Satisfactory completion of the Postgraduate Qualifying Program (PQP) at MIBT for admission into selected postgraduate courses at Deakin.
11. Other evidence of English language competence deemed acceptable by the Chair of the Academic Board.

University Profile
About 30 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.