Master of Publishing and Communications

Course MC-PUBCOM (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Year and Campus: 2011 - Parkville
CRICOS Code: 061634E
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Duration & Credit Points: 200 credit points taken over 24 months full time. This course is available as full or part time.

Coordinator

Dr Bryony Cosgrove
School of Culture and Communication
Email: bryonyc@unimelb.edu.au

Contact

The Graduate School Humanities and Social Sciences

Email: arts-gradstudies@unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview: The Master of Publishing and Communications provides students with vocational skills, theoretical knowledge and industry exposure to build a successful career in the publishing and communication sectors. Alongside a strong focus on publishing practices and technologies, with hands on subjects in editing, production and business practices, the course offers sustained and stimulating analyses of the political, commercial and historical dynamics of print cultures.
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete the Master of Publishing and Communications should have:

  • an advanced knowledge of editorial principles and methods across a range of genres and media;
  • a detailed understanding of the use of computers in editing and publishing for print and digital media;
  • a sound knowledge of the commercial aspects of publishing;
  • a highly developed understanding of the organisation and operation of the publishing industries in Australia and the Asia Pacific region;
  • a detailed and practical knowledge of effective communications strategies in business and professional contexts; and
  • advanced skills in researching, writing and thinking critically about challenges facing the publishing and communications industries.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:

200 point program

Duration: 2 years full-time / up to 4 years part-time

First 100 points:

  • two compulsory subjects (25 points);
  • a minimum of four elective subjects (50 points); and
  • a maximum of two additional elective subjects (25 points).

Second 100 points:

Option 1

  • postgraduate level electives to a total of 100 points.

or

Option 2

  • thesis (37.5 points);
  • one core subject (12.5 points); and
  • four electives (50 points).

A total of 200 points. Subjects are 12.5 points each unless indicated otherwise.

150 point program

Duration: 1.5 years full-time/ up to 3 years part-time

First 50 points:

  • two compulsory subjects (25 points); and
  • two elective subjects (25 points).
Subjects are chosen from the first 100 points of the 200 point program.

Remaining 100 points:

Refer to the second 100 points of the 200 point program above.

A total of 150 points. Subjects are 12.5 points each unless indicated otherwise.

100 point program

Duration: 1 year full-time/ up to 2 years part-time

Option 1
  • postgraduate electives to a total of 100 points.

or

Option 2

  • thesis (37.5 points);
  • one core subject (12.5 points); and
  • four electives (50 points).

or

Option 3

  • postgraduate electives plus a maximum of two level four compulsory subjects from the first 100 points of the 200 point program to total 100 points *

Refer to the second 100 points of the 200 point program for postgraduate elective listings

* Note: Students seeking to undertake this option in the 100 point program need permission in writing from the course coordinator to undertake the two compulsory level four subjects.

For policies that govern this degree, see Academic Services Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Framework. Students also should also refer to information in the Student Policy Directory.
Subject Options:

200 point program:

First 100 points

Compulsory subjects:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

Elective subjects:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Additional elective subjects:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50
Second 100 points:

Thesis subject:

Note: the thesis requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment.
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
18.75

Core subject:

for students enrolled in the thesis
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Elective subjects:

Postgraduate level
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
25

Additional elective subjects:

The following postgraduate level elective subjects are available with written permission of the subject coordinator, which is based on the submission of a 5000 word folio.
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Entry Requirements:

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to successfully pursue the course using the following criteria:

For the 200 point program

  • an undergraduate degree with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the major or equivalent.


For the 150 point program

  • an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects, and the Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (Editing and Communications); or equivalent;or
  • an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects and one year of documented, relevant work experience, or equivalent; or
  • an honours degree in a cognate discipline with at least H2B (70%), or equivalent.


For the 100 point program

  • the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Editing and Communications) with a grade average of at least a H2B (70%) grade average; or
  • an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects, and the Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (Editing and Communications) with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) and at least one year's documented, relevant work experience, or equivalent; or
  • an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects and two years (full-time equivalent) of documented relevant professional experience.


2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or tests and may call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Admission process

Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Further Study: Students who complete the thesis may be eligible to enter the PhD.
Graduate Attributes: http://www.unimelb.edu.au/about/attributes.html
Links to further information: http://www.culture-communication.unimelb.edu.au/publishing/

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