Course Overview
The Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) is unique in its combination of literary and creative writing options.  It is designed to facilitate intellectual concentration within academic areas traditionally associated with writing and literary studies, together with the possibility for cross-disciplinary explorations and access to more practical and 'applied' interests of journalism, media and communication.

The course is suitable for professionals working in fields requiring high-level analytical skills, such as teaching, the public service and fields related to the publishing industry where flexibility and multiskilling enhance employment opportunities.

The Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) provides students with the opportunity to choose from a wide range of subjects across different areas and to locate them within theoretical and cultural contexts.

It is designed for students with professional and personal interests in writing, literature and children's literature, who wish to upgrade their qualifications in these areas.

Career opportunities

The program is designed to provide career enhancement for students employed or wishing to be employed in the fields of children's literature, literature and professional writing. It enables students currently employed in these fields to upgrade their qualifications so as to apply for specialist positions and enhance their opportunities for promotion. It also provides for those seeking a qualification to enable refocusing of career options.

Specialisations
Children's Literature
Literary Studies
Professional Writing

Course Structure
Details of specialisations

Children's literature
Core units

Semester 1

ALL702 Criticism of Literature for Children: A Variety of Approaches (B, X)  

Semester 2

ALL743 Narrative Theory and Children's Literature (B, X)  

Electives

Semester 1

ALL701 Origins in Children's Literature (X)  

ALL707 New Media Texts for Children (X)  

ALL721 Driven to Write (X)  

Semester 2

ALL704 The Golden Age: Children's Literature in English From 1850-1930 (X)  

ALL708 The Picture Book: Reading and Writing (X)  

ALL709 Australian Children's Literature (X)  

ALL722 Texts for Young Adults (X)

Literary Studies
Elective units

Semester 1

ALL721 Driven to Write (X)  

ALL755 The Other Side of the World: Literature of Sadness - The Body - Mind in Crisis (B, X)  

ALL771 Postmodernist Fiction A (X)  

ALL785 The Dance of Literature and the Literature of Dance (B, X)  

Semester 2

ALL722 Texts for Young Adults (X)  

ALL724 Reviewing (B, X)  

ALL772 Postmodernist Fiction B (X)  

ALL783 Life Writing: Theory and Practice (B, X)  

ALL784 Writing and Film (X)  

ALL786 Language, Literature and Law (B, X)  

ALR715 Communication Entrepreneur (B) 

Professional Writing

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)  

Summer semester

ALW749 Crossing Borders - in Country Travel and Research Project

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.