ObjectivesDeakin University is a national leader in the provision of professional development programs for people working in the communication industry. It works in partnership with major employers and professional associations to deliver top quality programs in public relations, journalism and all aspects of professional communication. Deakin has designed its journalism postgraduate program to help integrate academic studies with work and personal commitments. The Graduate Diploma of Journalism is offered on and off campus and is supported by a wide range of services. Postgraduate journalism courses provide an intensive practical component, ensuring strong job entry skills. The courses will enhance journalistic creative and critical thinking skills, which are essential to progression in this vibrant profession, and will also prepare students for the challenges they will face in the twenty-first century, by helping develop the analytical skills necessary for reporting events in context.
Entry requirementsTo be eligible for admission into the Graduate Diploma of Journalism applicants require a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution or equivalent: * a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution; or * qualifications deemed to be equivalent.
Academic titleGraduate Diploma of Journalism
Course descriptionFees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Fee paying place - Domestic (DFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fee paying places are available to domestic students. Domestic students are those who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of a permanent visa.
*Indicative course fees should be used as a guide only. Deakin University assumes no responsibility for persons relying on indicative course fees to calculate the total future cost of their course. The indicative course fee is an estimate based on a typical enrolment a student may have for their first year of study in 2009 for their course. The indicative course fee is based on historical first year enrolments within the course, reflecting the discipline cluster of the units which may be studied within the course. The actual fees charged will depend on the individual units chosen. The cost of each unit can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php. Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and services.
Career opportunities
These courses build on the knowledge base of graduates to enable them to move across professional fields. The courses are also designed for people working in the journalism industry who are seeking to upgrade their qualifications or to refresh or advance their professional skills.
Course rules
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Journalism, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising:
* 4 credit points of Journalism units selected from the specified list below; and
* 4 credit points of electives selected from the remaining Journalism units and/or from the following disciplines
Advertising
Children's Literature Journalism
Literary Studies
Media and Communication
Professional Writing
Public Relations
See Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) (A748) and Master of Communication (A747) for units available in the disciplines above.
Note: Students who complete a specialisation of 4 credit points will have the specialisation indicated on their academic transcript.
Course structure
Trimester 1
ALJ724 Law Media and Communication
ALJ728 Feature Writing
ALJ729 Newsroom Practice
Trimester 2
ACE707 Imaging for Media
ALJ710 Multimedia Reporting
ALJ722 Journalism in Contemporary Society
ALJ725 Editing and Design in a Multiple Media Environment
ALR715 New Ventures in Creative Enterprise
Admission requirements - general
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 applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide
Admission requirements - specific
To be eligible for admission into the Graduate Diploma of Journalism applicants require a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution or equivalent:
* a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution; or
* qualifications deemed to be equivalent.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Advanced standing - specific
Applications for advanced standing will be considered depending on the quality and subject matter of the student's prior qualifications and professional experience.
The Graduate Certificate of Journalism, the Graduate Diploma of Journalism and the Master of Arts (Professional Communication) comprise a suite of fully articulated courses. Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate will lead to admission into either the Graduate Diploma or the Master of Arts (Professional Communication) with up to 4 credit points of advanced standing. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma will lead to admission into the Master of Arts (Professional Communication) with up to 8 credit points of advanced standing.