ObjectivesThe Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing offers studies in various forms of professional writing and editing for graduates with major sequences in other disciplines. The emphasis is on helping you to develop the skills required to prepare work for publication. In each area of study-fiction, creative non-fiction, writing for children, poetry, editing, publishing and scriptwriting - you will be given practical experience of the process of writing and revision. The program will develop your understanding of the requirements of writing and editing for different readerships. The units in the program will be valuable to you if you are experienced in writing but feel the need for further guidance, or if you want to begin a career in writing. Study at this level can also help you if you are required to write in the course of your employment and wish to enhance your skills in written communication. The editing course introduces you to the key skills required for employment in publishing books and magazines. The School adopts the philosophy that writing and editing should be taught by published writers and practitioners. The teaching staff includes well-known writers and editors, and the program draws on the talents of other publishing professionals as guest speakers.
Entry requirementsTo be eligible for admission into the Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing 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 Professional Writing
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
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 in order 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.
Course rules
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising:
* 4 credit points of Professional Writing units selected from the specified list below; and
* 4 credit points of electives selected from the remaining Professional Writing 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
ALW729 Writing for Communication Media
ALW730 Creative Non-Fiction Writing A
ALW732 Fiction Writing: Story, Structure and Starting Out
ALW734 Script Writing A
ALW736 Poetics of Writing A *
ALW738 Editing
Trimester 2
ACM733 My Story: Autobiographical and Experimental Video Production
ALR715 New Ventures in Creative Enterprise
ALW720 Travel Writing
ALW731 Creative Non-Fiction Writing B
ALW733 Fiction Writing: Ideas and Innovations
ALW735 Script Writing B
ALW737 Poetics of Writing B *
ALW739 Publishing
Trimester 3 (Not offered 2008/09)
ALW749 Crossing Borders - in Country Travel and Research Project
*Not offered 2009, offered 2010
Note: Students may complete any combination of units, though they should be aware that B units require A units as prerequisites.
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 Professional Writing 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 student's prior qualifications and professional experience.
The Graduate Certificate of Professional Writing, the Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing, the Master of Arts (Professional Communication) or the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) comprise a suite of fully articulated courses. Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate will lead to admission into either the Graduate Diploma, the Master of Arts (Professional Communication) or the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) 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) or Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) with up to 8 credit points of advanced standing.