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Bachelor of Mass Communication (BMCM) - BMassCom
CRICOS code (International applicants): 040075E
This program is offered only to continuing students.
No new admissions will be accepted. Students who are interested in
this study area should consider the Bachelor of Communication.
| | On-campus | Distance education |
| Campus: | Toowoomba | - |
| Fees: | Commonwealth supported place
Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
| Commonwealth supported place
Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
|
| Standard duration: | 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time or external |
| Program articulation: | From: Diploma of Arts To: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) |
Contact us
Current students
Telephone 1800 007 252 (within Australia freecall), +61 7 4631
2285 (from outside Australia), email usq.support@usq.edu.au or submit a question via .
In this section:
Communication and media studies major
This major combines the study of human communication theory
with the development of human communication skills. Students will
analyse the areas of language, film, television and culture, while
learning about interpersonal, group and mass communication, and communication
in multicultural societies. Students will develop an understanding
of communication problems in society by examining communication processes
at all levels.
Career opportunities
Opportunities exist in public relations, communication policy,
management, administration and the arts, culture and media industries,
teaching and community development.
Creative Media
This major focuses on providing a creative environment for students
interested in the artistic use of computer driven digital technologies,
with a focus on conceptualising, designing and applying self-generated
projects sustained upon a firm technological base and professional
application. Students will work in the field, in the television studio,
sound studios and design and computer labs to realise their projects.
Please note that no mid-year enrolments are accepted into this major.
Students will need to consult the discipline coordinator regarding
their enrolment.
Career opportunities
Television production, animator, video and sound production,
secondary teacher (with further study).
Journalism major
Students prepare for a career in journalism or a related field
by reporting, writing, editing, designing and producing for the Web,
television, radio, newspapers and magazines. A wide range of knowledge
and skills across multiple media, and a focus on hands-on experience,
enables students to work in the 21st century’s digital newsrooms.
Students are also encouraged to link with industry by undertaking
internships as journalists.
Career opportunities
Our graduates are working in radio, television, online and print
media, throughout Australia and overseas. They include news and specialist
reporters, columnists, commentators, copywriters, producers, sub-editors,
editors, newsreaders and presenters. Journalism skills are also valued
in public relations, publishing, law, commerce and business –
where experienced journalists have become media officers, publishers,
editors, speechwriters for government officials, politicians and executives,
and corporate communicators.
Public relations major
Students gain the skills and knowledge to review communication
policies within an organisation and develop and implement communication
programs and strategies. This major will also equip students with
skills required in the industry, such as issues management, specialist
writing, how to create public awareness campaigns and how to improve
public and media relations. Students will identify communication problems
of organisations through appropriate research and strategic planning.
Career opportunities
Most organisations recognise the importance of public relations
to ensure the support of the public, media, government and their own
staff. Opportunities exist in the areas of corporate public relations,
consulting, government organisations, lobby groups, fund-raising,
publicity and promotion, and community development. This program is
accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA).
Program aims
This program aims to produce graduates who have a mastery of
a range of communication industry skills, supported by extensive contextual
studies in communication/media theory, and professional skills in
preferred areas of journalism, public relations, media production
(continuing students only), organisation and business communication
(continuing students only) and creative multimedia.
The program allows specific emphasis on those skills of a mass
communication nature that produce graduates who have:
-
a general understanding and appreciation of the complexities
of human thought, expression and behaviour in a variety of subject
areas
-
developed further their personal, cultural, creative and intellectual
capacities
-
an awareness of, and ability to evaluate, various explanations
of human behaviour
-
the intellectual and practical skills necessary to apply knowledge
in fields such as further study, research, employment and community
service
-
the ability to analyse, construct, and evaluate arguments critically.
The Bachelor of Mass Communication seeks to develop critical,
articulate students by offering a range of five majors in areas that
meet industry demand and increase the employability of graduates.
Program objectives
On successful completion of the program students should be able
to demonstrate:
-
the ability to express themselves with clarity and coherence
-
the ability to comprehend the fundamental nature of the process
of communication in a range of mass communication forms including
journalism, media production (continuing students only) and public
relations
-
having met the specified aims and objectives of those majors
chosen in the mass communication degree
-
a knowledge and understanding of the theoretical issues, problems
and methodologies of mass communication
-
an awareness of the ethical and social responsibilities that
are integral to the function of professional endeavours.
Admission requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Mass Communication is in accordance
with ¾«¶«´«Ã½app admission guidelines for undergraduate programs.
International applicants must have met the or have completed the .
Program fees
Commonwealth supported place
A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government
makes a contribution towards the cost of your higher education and
you as a student pay a , which varies depending on the
courses undertaken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular
course via the .
Commonwealth Supported students may
be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called .
Domestic full fee paying place
Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through
the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the
courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular
course via the .
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders,
Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who reside
outside Australia pay full tuition fees.
Domestic full fee paying
students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government
loan called .
International full fee paying place
International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending
on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus,
via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees
for a particular course via the .
Program structure
The Bachelor of Mass Communication is a full-time three-year
program that may be completed over six years of part-time study. Maximum
time for completion is nine years. The Bachelor of Mass Communication
consists of 24 units. Together with the core courses of and , students should
take one of the following combinations of elements.
Two major studies, minor, and/or electives. Majors and minor
studies will consist of studies offered by the School of Humanities
and Communication in any combination of Communication and Media Studies,
Creative Media, Journalism and Public Relations.
| On-campus students only |
First Year Level |
Second Year Level |
Third Year Level |
Total |
| Core courses * |
, |
Third core course |
|
3 |
| Major sequence 1 |
7 courses over first, second and third year levels,
with at least 2 courses at third year level from a Mass Communication
major |
7 |
| Major Sequence 2 |
7 courses over first, second and third year levels,
with at least 2 courses at third year level from a Mass Communication
major |
7 |
| Minor sequence |
4 courses over first, second or third year levels
from majors offered by School of Humanities and Communication |
4 |
| Elective courses |
3 courses over first, second and/or third year levels
from anywhere in the university provided they meet the pre-requisites. |
3 |
| |
24 |
The following are therefore acceptable core courses:
The course should be chosen from outside the student's majors
or minor study.
Required time limits
Students have a maximum of 9 years to complete this program.
Major studies
A Major ¾«¶«´«Ã½app is a specified group of courses with a value of
seven units. A major must have courses over three levels and contain
at least two courses at third level.
Students are NOT to select more than two majors or a minor from
Journalism, Creative Media and Public Relations. The minor study should
be selected from other majors/minors offered by the School of Humanities
and Communication. Elective courses may be taken from other major
areas offered elsewhere in the university.
A minor study of four units or three elective courses may be
taken from Courses outside the Faculty of Arts on the approval of
the student's Program Coordinator.
In this section:
Communication and Media Studies recommended enrolment pattern
| Major ¾«¶«´«Ã½app: Communication and Media Studies |
| Course | Year of program and semester
in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements |
|---|
On-campus
(ONC) | Distance education
(EXT) | Online
(WEB) |
|---|
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | |
| CMS2022 Communication and Power | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | | |
and |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | |
Creative Media recommended enrolment pattern
Students enrolling in the Creative Media Major must choose 8
courses from the below table in consultation with Creative Media Program
Coordinator on +61 7 4631 1105. Entry to the Creative Media major
is subject to a successful interview during Orientation Week. NB
Students who commence their studies in Semester 2 cannot take MEA
courses without the permission of the Discipline Head, Leonie Jones.
| Course | Year of program and semester
in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements |
|---|
On-campus
(ONC) | Distance education
(EXT) | Online
(WEB) |
|---|
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | |
| 1 | 2 | | | | | Pre-requisite: |
| | 2 | | | | | Pre-requisite: and Co-requisite: |
| 1 | 2 | | | 1 | 2 | |
| 2 | 1 | | | 2 | 1 | |
| 2 | 2 | | | | | Pre-requisite: and Co-requisite: |
| 2 | 1 | | | 2 | 1 | Pre-requisite: |
| 2 | 1 | | | | | Pre-requisite: and |
| 2 | 2 | | | | | Pre-requisite: |
| 2 | 2 | | | | | Pre-requisite: |
| 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | | | |
| 3 | 1 | | | | | Pre-requisite: |
| 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | | | |
| 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: |
| 3 | 2 | | | | | Pre-requisite: |
Journalism recommended enrolment pattern
| Course | Year of program and semester
in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements |
|---|
On-campus
(ONC) | Distance education
(EXT) | Online
(WEB) |
|---|
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | | 1, 3 | | | |
| | | | | 1 | 2 | |
| 1 | 2 | | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: |
|
Choose one of the following two courses
|
| | 2 | 2 | | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: |
| | | | 2 | 1 | | | Pre-requisite: and |
|
Choose one of the following two courses
|
| | 2 | 1 | | 1 | | | Pre-requisite: |
| | 2 | 2 | | | | | Pre-requisite: |
|
Choose one of the following two courses
|
| | 3 | 1 | | | | | Pre-requisite: and |
| | 3 | 2 | | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: |
|
Compulsory course
|
| 3 | 2 | | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: |
Public Relations recommended enrolment pattern
| Major ¾«¶«´«Ã½app: Public Relations |
| Course | Year of program and semester
in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements |
|---|
On-campus
(ONC) | Distance education
(EXT) | Online
(WEB) |
|---|
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | |
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | | | |
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | |
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | |
| 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | | | |
| | | 3 | S1,S2, | | | Pre-requisite: PRL2000 or |
Notes
is highly recommended as an elective for second level students.