Program

Journalism and Communication - 8232

Program Summary

Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Contact: sam@unsw.edu.au

Campus: Sydney

Career: Postgraduate

Typical Duration: 2 Years  

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 96

Award(s):

Master of Journalism and Communication

View program information for previous years

Program Description

THIS PROGRAM IS FOR STUDENTS COMMENCING IN 2015 ONWARDS.

The program will offer the 72 units of credit (UOC) stream (1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent) and the 48 UOC stream (1 year full-time or part-time equivalent). The 96 UOC stream (2 years full-time or part-time equivalent) will not be offered in 2016.

The Master of Journalism and Communication (MJC) provides its graduates with a professionally relevant and academically rigorous education in journalism, media and communication. Students will acquire a portfolio of skills in media practice, equipping them for work in print, radio, television and online media, and in the media relations and corporate communication sectors. Students will develop a knowledge of the social, economic and political role of media in Australia and internationally, and will gain an understanding of the evolving nature of the convergent media landscape. They will also develop critical thinking and research skills, equipping them for practice as ethical, critically reflective media professionals. Course content draws on the work of international scholarship on journalism, media and communication, and students are encouraged to reflect on varied international approaches to media and communication practice.

The specialist knowledge and professional skills taught in this program are framed by an interdisciplinary inquiry into the social, cultural, economic and political role of journalism, media and communication, on a local and global level. Students are encouraged to think critically about media practice and production, and to develop a capacity for reflective and ethical decision making. Students learn in a range of settings including seminars, lectures, tutorials, intensive workshops and online learning environments. Emphasis is placed on independent problem solving, and assessments supporting this approach include both formative and summative components. Graduates will have an advanced knowledge of the field of contemporary journalism, communication and/or media studies; and will be able to apply this knowledge to their media, communication and journalism practice in different contexts and settings.

There is an emphasis on the research/teaching nexus, and students are encouraged to apply insights from contemporary media scholarship to current and evolving issues in media technology, ethics and practice. Community engagement is promoted both within the theoretical content of the courses, and within assessment tasks that may involve cooperative partnership with NGOs and industry organisations. Students will also be able to choose either or both the research or/and practice pathways at the Advanced Disciplinary level.

Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes

The program is designed to provide a comprehensive education in the disciplines of journalism and communication, for graduates and professionals seeking to expand their knowledge and skill base, and/or enter the journalism, media and communication industries.

Program-level learning outcomes

1. Advanced disciplinary knowledge

Graduates will have an advanced knowledge of the field of contemporary journalism, communication and/or media studies; and will be able to apply this knowledge to their media, communication and journalism practice in different contexts and settings.

2. Research-based learning

Graduates will have developed a sound grasp of scholarly research practices in the field of journalism, communications and/or media studies, and in the applied fields of journalism, communication and media research.

3. Cognitive skills and critical thinking

Graduates will have developed high quality critical thinking and problem solving skills in both scholarly and professional journalism, communication and media contexts.

4. Communication and adaptive skills

Graduates will be able to communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences, using written, oral and mediated communication, undertake both independent and collaborative enquiry, apply technical journalism and communication skills, and be adaptive, reflective learners and practitioners.

5. Global outlook

Graduates will have an understanding of both local and global issues in the field of journalism, communication and/or media studies.

Career Opportunities

The Master of Journalism and Communication will provide students with a professionally relevant and academically rigorous education in journalism, media and communication. Students will acquire a portfolio of skills in media practice, equipping them for work in print, radio, television and online media, and in the media relations and corporate communication sectors. Students will develop a knowledge of the social, economic and political role of media in Australia and internationally, and will gain an understanding of the evolving nature of the convergent media landscape. They will also develop critical thinking and research skills, equipping them for practice as ethical, critically reflective media professionals.

Recent graduates have been employed in a range of roles encompassing communications, journalism, marketing and client relations, and digital media production.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements are as follows:

For the 1.5 year (72 UOC) stream
  • Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
  • Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience
  • Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%

For the 1 year (48 UOC) stream
  • Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
  • Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience
Relevant disciplines include:
  • Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences
  • Media, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing
  • Business, Economics, Commerce
  • Law
Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance to these programs should enquire here: studyarts@unsw.edu.au.

*it is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.

Credit Transfer

If you are seeking credit transfer you must submit documentary evidence of courses completed at the time of initial enrolment. UNSW Arts and Social Sciences will then determine the number of units of credit to be granted. Credit transfer will not be granted for courses completed more than ten years previously. The maximum credit transfer for a Masters is 50% of the stream, that is, a maximum of 24 UOC credit transfer for the 48 UOC stream and a maximum of 36 UOC credit transfer for the 72 UOC stream.

Program Structure

  1. Cognate Courses (24 UOC)
  2. Advanced Disciplinary Courses (12 - 18 UOC)
  3. Prescribed Electives (30 - 36 UOC)
  1. Advanced Disciplinary Courses (12 - 18 UOC)
  2. Prescribed Electives (30 - 36 UOC)
ARTS5503 Academic Writing (6 UOC)
This course can be taken as an additional course for students wishing to develop their academic writing skills. It will not count towards the program requirements. Click here for further details about the course.

Academic Rules

1.5 year (72 UOC) stream
  1. Enrol in the Master of Journalism and Communication and complete 72 UOC
  2. Complete 24 UOC Cognate Courses before enrolling in Advanced Disciplinary Courses
  3. Complete 12-18 UOC Advanced Disciplinary Courses
  4. Complete 30-36 UOC Prescribed Electives

1 year (48 UOC) stream
  1. Enrol in the Master of Journalism and Communication and complete 48 UOC
  2. Complete 12-18 UOC Advanced Disciplinary Courses
  3. Complete 30-36 UOC Prescribed Electives

Fees

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.

Pathways to further study

Students who successfully complete the MJC and its research path could consider Higher Degree Research opportunities in the fields of journalism and communication.

Area(s) of Specialisation