Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing

The Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing is designed to provide students with a vocational qualification where students take Creative Writing and Publishing and Editing subjects as part of their professional development. The degree demonstrates the links and shared skills between writer, editor and publisher as well as between fiction and non-fiction writing. On completion of the two-year Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing program, students with a 75% average pass, who have taken CWRI90008 Creative Writing Minor Thesis, and completed Research Principles and Practices (MULT50001) will be eligible to apply for entry to a PhD.

Students who complete the Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing should have:

• completed a significant research project as either practice or theory or a combination of both;
• developed flexible and sophisticated strategies for problem-solving, researching, writing and thinking critically in creative, editing and publishing projects;
• advanced knowledge of editorial principles and methods including detailed understanding of the use of computers in editing and publishing for print and digital media;
• acquired detailed knowledge of effective communication strategies and sound knowledge of the commercial and global organisation and operation of the publishing industries, with particular reference to Australia and the Asia Pacific region;
• developed an understanding of print production and design including a knowledge of the history of print culture;
• an understanding of ethical and legal standards in the creative writing, publishing and editing disciplines;
• developed capacity for critical evaluation and creative self-awareness; and
• a respect for communication, support, co-operation, constructive criticism and intellectual integrity within the discipline of creative writing.

200 point program

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

First 100 points:

• four compulsory subjects (50 points)
• elective subjects from either discipline selected from the First 100 Point Elective Subjects list (50 points)

Second 100 points:

• one core subject - Creative Writing Thesis CWRI90008 (50 points) or CWRI90011 Advanced Writing Project (50 points)
• elective subjects from the second 100 points of the program (25 points from the Creative Writing elective subject list and 25 points from the Publishing and Editing list) (50 points)

Capstone Requirement:

All students are required to complete the Capstone Requirement for the program (at least 25 points). Students must complete the following capstone:

Capstone 1: CWRI90008 Minor Thesis - Creative Writing (50 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to integrate research and writing skills in the development of a major creative project. Pathway to apply for PhD.

Capstone 2: CWRI90011 Advanced Writing Project (50 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to plan and execute a substantial professionally focussed creative project.

For policies that govern this degree, see Academic Services Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Framework.

First 100 Points

Compulsory Subjects

4 compulsory subjects (50 points)

First 100 Point Elective Subjects - Creative Writing

First 100 Point elective subjects from either discipline (50 points)

Please note: if students intend to enrol in CWRI90008 Minor Thesis, they must also enrol in MULT50001 Research Principles and Practices a month before their thesis commences.

First 100 Point Elective Subjects - Publishing and Editing

First 100 Point elective subjects from either discipline (37.5 points)

Second 100 Points

Core Subject

Please note the following:

• CWRI90008 Creative Writing Thesis requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment.
• CWRI90011 Advanced Writing Project requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment.

Second 100 Points Creative Writing Elective Subjects

2 subjects from the Creative Writing elective subject list (25 points)

Second 100 Points Publishing and Editing Elective Subjects

2 subjects from the Publishing and Editing list (25 points)

Additional Elective Subject

Creative Writing OR Publishing and Editing elective subject (12.5 points)

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent; and
• a 3,000 word creative writing portfolio.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• the creative writing portfolio; and
• any documented relevant experience in writing, publishing and editing.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7 is required.

Applicants wishing to have relevant experience in writing, publishing and editing taken into account need to document this experience with a brief curriculum vitae detailing the experience, contact details of two referees who can confirm the authenticity and nature of the experience claimed, and a covering letter that explains how the experience is relevant to the program and prepares them for it.

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/

Students who achieve a 75% average and who complete MULT50001 Research Principles and Practices and CWRI90008 Creative Writing Minor Thesis may be eligible for entry into the PhD.

For more information, please see http://learningandteaching.unimelb.edu.au/curriculum/graduates