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Bachelor of Communication (BCMM) - BCmn
QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Toowoomba campus: 909861; Distance education: 909865
CRICOS code (International applicants): 069699A
| | On-campus | Distance education |
| Semester intake: | Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (July) | Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (July)
Semester 3 (November) |
| 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 |
| Program articulation: | From: Diploma of Arts To: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) |
Contact us
| Future Australian and New Zealand students |
Future International students |
Current students |
Freecall (within Australia): 1800 269 500
Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 5315
Email: studyarts@usq.edu.au |
Phone: +61 7 4631 5543
Email: international@usq.edu.au |
Freecall (within Australia): 1800 007 252
Phone (from outside
Australia): +61 7 4631 2285
Email usq.support@usq.edu.au |
In this section:
Program focus
The Bachelor of Communication offers students a wide range of
majors, with opportunities to specialise in Public Relations, Journalism,
Communication and Media Studies and Creative Media. These majors can
be complemented by a choice of majors from other disciplines within
the Faculty, including Anthropology, English Literature, History,
Indonesian, International Relations, Language and Culture (Mandarin
Chinese or German), Music (Practice or Theory), Social Science, Theatre
(Practice or Theory), Visual Arts (Practice or Theory). Students
can study beyond the Faculty by taking majors in Science and Education
and minors in Business and Engineering. Core studies are also provided
in a range of academic skills early in the program. The Bachelor of
Communication thus offers a flexible study pattern across several
skill and knowledge-bases, while also allowing students to gain substantial
progress toward career paths within specific disciplinary or professional
fields. Graduates of the Bachelor of Communication should be able
to apply both analytical and practical skills to further study, research,
and employment in a wide range of careers.
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
and develop strategies to overcome these problems.
Students who take the extended 12 point major in Public Relations
can take an 8 point major in Marketing if they wish.
Career opportunities
Most organisations recognise the importance of communication
to ensure the support of the public, media, government and their own
staff. Opportunities exist in the areas of corporate public relations,
government communication, lobbying, internal communication, political
communication, fund-raising, crisis management, community engagement
and liaison and event organisation.
Professional accreditation
This program is accredited with the Public Relations Institute
of Australia (PRIA).
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
The Creative Media Major offers students wishing to enter the
media and multimedia industry a wide choice of courses to choose from
to suit individual career goals including entry into careers such
as animation, television production, scriptwriting, web design and
media teaching. Students are encouraged to write, develop and produce
their own projects while gaining a valuable understanding of the business
side of creative arts. Students majoring in Journalism and Public
Relations will find Creative Media a valuable companion major in terms
of gaining practical media experience and insight. This will provide
graduates with greater versatility which will increase opportunities
in their careers as journalists, public relations and communication
specialists.
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 and creative media.
Students can complement their major study with nominated majors/minors
from other Faculties. The program allows specific emphasis on
those skills of a mass communication nature that produce graduates
who will:
-
comprehend and evaluate various explanations of human behaviour;
-
understand the need for a high degree of accuracy in written
and communication skills in their relevant communication-related industry
specialisations;
-
demonstrate higher order thinking which will give students a
professional edge in communication-related industries;
-
demonstrate technical skills that will enable them to be competitive
in the work force;
-
demonstrate the capacity for ethics, which gives them a sound
foundation for the way they conduct their professional lives.
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 understand the fundamental nature of the process
of communication in a range of mass communication forms including
journalism, creative production and public relations
-
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.
-
a discriminating application of methods, concepts, techniques
and theories in the projects from different professional contexts.
Admission requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Communication is in accordance
with ¾«¶«´«Ã½app admission guidelines for undergraduate programs.
International applicants must have met the or have completed the .
How to apply
Domestic students
may be made through the Queensland
Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). The same procedure applies whether
you plan to study on-campus or by distance education.
If you completed Year 12 at a Queensland secondary school you
will be assessed for entry on the basis of your Overall Position (OP)
or equivalent score. Year 12 students from other states or territories
are considered for entry on the basis of their UAI, ENTER or TER and
the subject prerequisites indicated. Other applicants will be based
on their overall Rank.
International students
This program is offered to international students. An international
student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen
and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and
how to apply.
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 .
Domestic full fee paying students
may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called provided they meet the residency and citizenship
requirements.
Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa
holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens
who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program
pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for .
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 Communication consists of 24 courses. Students
should study the four core courses to help make better informed decisions
about their choice of major/s. The structure is:
-
4 x 1 credit point core courses, plus
-
1 x 12 credit point extended major study plus 1 x 8 credit point
major study, or
-
1 x 12 credit point extended major study plus 2 x 4 credit point
minor studies.
Please note that in either combination above, students can choose
the first 12 credit point extended major from Journalism or Public
Relations and the 8 credit point major from Creative Media, Communication
and Media Studies and other 8 credit point majors within the Faculty
or beyond the Faculty. (Available majors are listed in the structure.
Further details of these combinations can be obtained from the relevant
Program Coordinator. In some instances, however, combinations preferred
by individual students may not be available due to quota, timetable
or enrolment pattern constraints).
Combination 1
| On-campus and external students |
First Year Level |
Second Year Level |
Third Year Level |
Total |
| Core courses |
, , , |
|
|
4 |
| Major sequence 1 |
Twelve courses over first, second and third year levels,
with at least two courses at third year level. |
12 |
| Major Sequence 2 |
Eight courses over first, second and third year levels,
with at least two courses at third year level |
8 |
| |
|
24 |
Combination 2
| On-campus and external students |
First Year Level |
Second Year Level |
Third Year Level |
Total |
| Core courses |
, , , |
|
|
4 |
| Major sequence 1 |
Twelve courses over first, second and third year levels,
with at least two courses at third year level. |
12 |
| Minor sequence 2 |
Four courses over first and second year levels. |
4 |
| Minor sequence 2 |
Four courses over first and second year and third
levels. |
4 |
| |
|
|
|
24 |
Required time limits
Students have a maximum of 9 years to complete this program.
Core courses
All students must take the core courses:
The recommended pattern for enrolment in core courses by full-time
on-campus students is:
| Year 1 |
Semester 1, 2 or 3 |
|
| |
Semester 2 |
|
| |
Semester 1 |
|
| |
Semester 1 |
|
This pattern should only be varied with the permission of the
Program Coordinator.
Major studies
A Major ¾«¶«´«Ã½app in the Bachelor of Communication is a specified
group of courses with a value of 12 unit courses and 8 unit courses.
A major must have courses over three levels and contain at least two
courses at third level. The following major studies are offered:
| 12 unit extended
Majors (within Faculty of Arts) |
| Journalism |
Public Relations |
| 8 unit Majors (within
Faculty of Arts) |
| Anthropology |
Journalism (subject to approval) |
| Communication and Media Studies |
Language and Culture-Chinese Mandarin or German |
| Creative Media |
Music (Theory and History) |
| English Literature |
Public Relations (subject to approval) |
| History |
Social Science |
| Indonesian |
Theatre Theory |
| International Relations |
Visual Arts Theory |
| 8 unit majors (outside
Faculty of Arts) |
| Faculty of Sciences |
Faculty of Education |
| Biology |
Note: there is a specific 8 unit Education major for the Bachelor
of Communication. Students should not enrol in other Education majors. |
| Computing |
|
| Human Physiology |
|
| Mathematics |
|
| Physical Sciences |
|
| Environment and Sustainability |
|
Majors in the Bachelor of Communication from outside the
Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts enables students enrolled in the Bachelor
of Communication to take one major or two minor studies from programs
in other Faculties (see above) after consultation with the Program
Coordinator.
Minor studies
Minor studies are designed to enable students to widen their
knowledge and perspectives. Courses must be taken over two levels
and should be in the same discipline or recognised multi-disciplinary
area. Bachelor of Communication students can elect to do two 4 unit
minors to replace their 8 unit major.
Students can take one of the minors indicated in the section of this Handbook.
Students should take courses to the value of at least four
units in the selected Minor ¾«¶«´«Ã½app. Choice of a minor will depend on
the availability of the subject area, timetabling constraints, quotas
and other restrictions such as auditions and interviews in certain
areas of the Arts, as well as the approval of the Student Adviser
and confirmation by the Program Coordinator.
Please note that Bachelor of Communication students can take
a minor from the Faculty of Engineering. This minor has been structured
to complement the 12 point extended major in this program. For further
details, please contact the Program Coordinator.
Practical experience
In the Public relations and Journalism majors within this program,
oncampus and external students will be required to work on practical,
real world projects and in some cases, will be required to work in
teams. Public relations students will work on at least two client
projects during their study. Students undertaking the journalism
major are able to undertake work experience and have this recognised
as part of their course through JRN3000 Independent ¾«¶«´«Ã½app.
IT requirements
Access to high-level computers is necessary. On-campus students
will access appropriately equipped laboratories, but should consider
acquisition of their own computer. External students should be able
to access a computer with the following minimum standards:
-
Pentium or equivalent, 128Mb Ram, 20Gb 7200 RPM Hard disk, SVGA
with at least 32Mb video RAM, Windows 98/2000*, mouse, sound card,
CD-RW drive, modem, or
-
Apple Mac or equivalent, 12Mb Ram, 20Gb 7200 RPM Hard Disk,
15 inch Monitor, Mac RO 9.2 or later, CD-RW drive, modem
-
Preferred browser standards are the latest versions of Internet
Explorer or Netscape.
Note: Students with Windows 95 might be able to operate in this
program for a short period until an upgrade is acquired.
External students should be able to access a computer with the
following as advised by the ¾«¶«´«Ã½app. All students
should have access to email and the Internet via a computer running
the latest versions of Internet web browsers such as Internet Explorer
or Firefox. The ¾«¶«´«Ã½app has a wireless network for on-campus students'
computers. In order to take advantage of this facility and further
enhance their on-campus learning environment, students should consider
purchasing a notebook/laptop computer with wireless connectivity.
A notebook/laptop may be required for some courses.
Exit points
Students, who, for whatever reason, are unable to complete the
Bachelor of Communication, but have completed 8 courses, can exit
with a Diploma in Arts.
Exemptions and course transfers: Students who have studied
elsewhere in courses that may be similar to courses offered within
the program are encouraged to discuss the possibility of securing
exemptions for some courses or transferring courses. See ¾«¶«´«Ã½app
of Southern Queensland policy on exemptions and transfers.
Honours: Students can enter the Bachelor of Communication
Honours to undertake the Mass Media specialisation.
Enrolment: All students are urged to adhere to the recommended
enrolment patterns as detailed in relevant Sections. Completion of
enrolment requirements will be necessary before a student will be
permitted to enrol in more advanced courses.
In this section:
Recommended enrolment patterns
On-campus students (full-time)
On-campus students should take courses offered in the on-campus
mode and will only be permitted to take courses externally during
Semesters 1 and 2 with the approval of their Program Coordinator.
Commencing students
Commencing students are required to enrol in the three core
courses in Semester 1: , and
and should also enrol in
. Then, commencing students must complete the fourth
core course, , in S2. The
core courses are from major disciplines and will help students to
make final decisions about choice of major/s.
Students who wish to enrol in approved majors in the Bachelor
of Communication (see , for which there is no recommended enrolment pattern listed above
should refer to the recommended enrolment pattern for that major in
the .
Recommended general pattern for first year full-time students
| Year 1 |
| Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
| Year 1 |
|
| Year 1 |
Year 1 course (from first major) |
| Year 1 |
Year 1 course (from second major (or two minors)) |
| Year 1 |
Year 1 course from majors or minor |
First year enrolment (part-time/external)
-
Students should take a maximum of two courses in each semester.
Many commencing students find it advisable to enrol in only one course
in each semester, or one in Semester 1 and two in Semester 2.
-
As a minimum, students should complete the core course by the end of their first year of study.
Students are advised to complete as many of the remaining core courses
as possible in their first year of study.
Subsequent years of enrolment
Recommended general pattern for external students, and part-time
on-campus students
| Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3* |
Year 4* |
Year 5 |
| S1 |
S2 |
S1 |
S2 |
S1 |
S2 |
S1 |
S2 |
S1 |
S2 |
| First core course |
Third core course |
Major |
Major |
Major |
Major |
Major |
Major |
Major |
Major |
| Second core course |
Major |
Fourth core course |
Major |
Major |
Major |
Major |
Major |
Major |
Major |
| |
|
|
|
Major |
Major |
Major |
Major |
|
|
Residential schools
There are no residential school requirements for the Bachelor
of Communication.
Semester 3
The Faculty offers some courses in Semester 3. All students
should check the Semester 3 availability of courses in their selected
major in order to facilitate the completion of their program of study.
Journalism recommended enrolment pattern (12 unit extended
major)
| Course | Year of program and semester
in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements |
|---|
On-campus
(ONC) | Distance education
(EXT) | Online
(ONL) |
|---|
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem |
|---|
|
Students must complete the following:
|
| | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1,3 | | | |
| | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: |
| | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | Pre-requisite: and |
| | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | Pre-requisite: |
|
Choose one of the following two courses:
|
| | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: |
| | 2 | 2 | | | | | Pre-requisite: |
|
Choose one of the following two courses
|
| | 3 | 1 | | | | | Pre-requisite: and |
| | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: |
|
Compulsory course
|
| 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | | | Pre-requisite: |
|
Choose one of the following two courses:
|
| | | | 3 | 1 | | | Pre-requisite: Students must have completed 16 units, of which 5 must be in the area of the proposed study project. Student enrolment is subject to the agreement of an appropriate supervisor. |
| | | | 3 | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: Students must have completed 16 units, of which 5 must be in the area of the proposed study project. Student enrolment is subject to the agreement of an appropriate supervisor. |
|
Choose four of the following courses:
|
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | | | |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | |
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | | | |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | |
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | | | |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1,2,3 | | | |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | |
| 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | | | |
Public Relations recommended enrolment pattern (12 unit extended
major)
| Course | Year of program and semester
in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements |
|---|
On-campus
(ONC) | Distance education
(EXT) | Online
(ONL) |
|---|
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1, 2, 3 | | | |
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | | | |
| 1 | 2 | | 2 | | | |
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | |
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | |
| 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | | | |
| | | 3 | 1,2 | | | Pre-requisite: PRL2000 or |
| 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | | | |
| | | 3 | 1,3 | | | |
| | | 3 | 2 | | | |
Communication and Media Studies recommended enrolment pattern
Four courses from this major are available on-campus at Fraser
Coast.
Students wishing to enrol in a 12 unit extended major in Communication
and Media Studies should contact the Program Coordinator for advice.
| 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
(ONL) |
|---|
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem |
|---|
|
Students must complete the following:
|
| | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | | | |
| | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | |
| + | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | |
| | 2,3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | |
| | 2,3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | |
|
Students studying the Journalism major must enrol in:
|
| | 2,3 | 2 | 2,3 | 2 | | | |
|
Students studying the Public Relations major must enrol in:
|
| | 2,3 | 1 | 2,3 | 1 | | | Pre-requisite: |
|
Students must complete the following two courses:
|
| * | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | | | |
| | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | | | |
Creative media recommended enrolment pattern (8 unit major)
Students enrolling in the Creative Media Major must choose 8
courses from the below table in consultation with Creative Media Discipline
Head on +61 7 4631 1056. Entry to the Creative Media major is subject
to a successful interview during Orientation Week.
| Course | Year of program and semester
in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements |
|---|
On-campus
(ONC) | Distance education
(EXT) | Online
(ONL) |
|---|
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | Pre-requisite: |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | |
| | 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: |
| OE | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | | | |
| 3 | 1 | | | | | Pre-requisite: |
| OE | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | | | |
| OE | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: |
| 3 | 2 | | | | | Pre-requisite: |
Journalism recommended enrolment pattern (8 unit major)
| Course | Year of program and semester
in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements |
|---|
On-campus
(ONC) | Distance education
(EXT) | Online
(ONL) |
|---|
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1,3 | | | |
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: |
| | | 2 | 1 | | | Pre-requisite: and |
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | Pre-requisite: |
|
Choose one of the following two courses:
|
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: |
| 2 | 2 | | | | | Pre-requisite: |
|
Choose one of the following two courses:
|
| 3 | 1 | | | | | Pre-requisite: and |
| 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: |
|
Compulsory course
|
| 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | | | Pre-requisite: |
|
Choose one of the following two courses:
|
| | | | 3 | 1 | | | Pre-requisite: Students must have completed 16 units, of which 5 must be in the area of the proposed study project. Student enrolment is subject to the agreement of an appropriate supervisor. |
| | | | 3 | 2 | | | Pre-requisite: Students must have completed 16 units, of which 5 must be in the area of the proposed study project. Student enrolment is subject to the agreement of an appropriate supervisor. |
Public Relations recommended enrolment pattern (8 unit major)
| Course | Year of program and semester
in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements |
|---|
On-campus
(ONC) | Distance education
(EXT) | Online
(ONL) |
|---|
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem |
|---|
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | | | |
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | |
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | |
| 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | | | |
| | | 3 | 1,2 | | | Pre-requisite: PRL2000 or |
| 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | | | |
Education recommended enrolment pattern (8 units)
This major is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor
of Communication:
| Course | Year of program and semester
in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements |
|---|
On-campus
(ONC) | Distance education
(EXT) | Online
(ONL) |
|---|
| Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | | | 1 | 1, 3 | |
| 1 | 1 | | | 1 | 1, 3 | |
| 1 | 1 | | | 1 | 1, 3 | |
| 1 | 2 | | | 1 | 2, 3 | |
| 2 | 2 | | | 2 | 2,3 | |
| Two 2nd year courses from Bachelor of Education (BEDU)
with Faculty of Education permission* | | | | | | | |
| One 3rd year course from Bachelor of Education (BEDU)
with Faculty of Education permission* | | | | | | | |
Science recommended enrolment pattern
Bachelor of Communication students can take an 8 unit major
from the following Faculty of Sciences courses. Students should refer
to the enrolment patterns for these majors in the .
NOTE: Psychology cannot be taken as an 8 unit major, although,
students can take a 4 credit Psychology minor.