Master of Journalism

Course code: 3932 + Course abbreviation: MJournalism + Total credit points required: 72 + 1.5 years full-time, 3 years part-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Caulfield)

Off-campus (Gippsland)

Course description

On completion of the masters course in journalism, students will be able to demonstrate advanced literacy skills (written, oral, computing, visual, televisual, digital) commensurate with postgraduate standards, show professional skills in the craft of media writing and production, have an advanced professional knowledge of legal issues and ethics pertaining to journalism and publishing for the mass market, along with high level communication and negotiation skills. An extensive critical understanding of the theory of the role of the Fourth Estate in comparative media systems,, investigative skills applicable to a media workplace, familiarity with changing technologies including convergence and multimedia in the journalism workplace, and advanced information management skills in addition to a demonstrated ability to apply the postgraduate research skills of judgment, interpretation, analysis, and critical thought.

The graduate attributes include independence, life-long learning skills of written and oral communication, capacity for inquiry and research, critical thought and analysis, problem solving, teamwork, numeracy effective use of information technology and information literacy

Minimum pass grade

To graduate with the masters, students must gain a credit (60 C) or above in core units and a minimum credit average overall.

Course structure

Students complete 48 points of level 4 units and 24 points at level 5 as follows:*

*All units are 12 points unless otherwise stated

Core units

Students must complete 36 points as follows:

JRM4905 Advanced writing for the news media
JRM4909 Critical issues and debates in contemporary journalism

and:

JRM4901 Investigative journalism

or:

JRM4902 Practice and representation in journalism

Electives

JRM4/5906 Media law and the ethics of journalism
COM4209 Communication research
COM5004 Industry research project (9000 words)
COM4/5010 Communications, convergence and policy
JRM5900 Industry research dissertation (18,000 words) (24 points)

Students may complete a maximum of 24 points at levels 4 or 5 from an Arts discipline other than Journalism (JRM units).

Students intending to take JRM5900 Research dissertation (24 points) must achieve a distinction average in previous 48 points and will normally be required to have completed COM4209 Communication research.

Students without industry experience would be encouraged to do COM5004 Industry research project.

Exit points

After successful completion of 24 points, students may apply to exit the program with a Graduate Certificate, or after successful completion of 48 points with a Postgraduate Diploma.

Course coordinator

Ms Elizabeth Hart

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