Bachelor of Communication and Media - Pathway to Master of Communication

at University of South Australia - Magill Campus Australia

This industry-relevant postgraduate qualification is for students who have already completed a three-year bachelor degree and would like to increase their employment prospects with a teaching qualification specialising in primary education.

What you'll learn

This degree has been designed to develop skilled, committed and flexible primary school educators.

The focus is on practical learning and you will gain the skills needed to teach across the core curriculum learning areas in schools from Reception to Year Seven. There are three major study areas:

• Curriculum studies
• Professional experience
• Education studies

This industry-relevant postgraduate qualification is for students who have already completed a three-year bachelor degree and would like to increase their employment prospects with a teaching qualification specialising in secondary education. The curriculum is solely focused on the education of children from Year Seven to Year 12.

What you'll learn

This degree has been designed to develop skilled, committed and flexible secondary school educators. The focus is on practical learning and you will gain the skills needed to teach across the core curriculum learning areas in schools from Year Seven to Year 12. There are four major study areas:

• Curriculum studies
• Professional experience
• Education studies
• Pedagogy

This double degree provides a balance of courses in psychology and human services, enabling graduates to enter the workforce with a strong understanding of psychology as it relates to the human services sector.

You will study a range of topics, including:

• Behavioural and social sciences
• Human behaviour
• Critical and analytical skills
• Research and data analysis
• Project management
• Social policy 

As a student studying the Languages major you will embark on an in-depth study of French, Italian or Japanese language (find out about other languages available through cross-institutional study by talking to the program director). You will also be given the opportunity to immerse yourself in your chosen language(s) and culture(s) through our exchange and in-country study programs. 

You will:

• Acquire competence in the speaking and writing of one or more major world language(s) both face-to-face and online;
• Be equipped with transferable language and intercultural skills required for work in international and multilingual professions and industries, part of which can be spent studying the chosen language in-country.
• Be equipped to work independently and collaboratively to construct effective arguments and produce creative and critical texts across a wide range of multilingual genres and media.
• Have a defined set of speaking, writing, editing and relevant analytical skills in the target language that can be used in a broad range of multilingual professional contexts.

You will also graduate with advanced writing, presentation, digital, communication, research and problem-solving skills that can be transferable across a range of roles and languages and are highly regarded by prospective employers.

What you'll learn

Under the guidance of world-class researchers you will embark on an in-depth study of French, Italian, Japanese or English (for non-English speaking students). You will develop your proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in your chosen language, as well as your understanding of the related culture and society.

You will also be given the opportunity to immerse yourself in your chosen language(s) and culture(s) through exchange and in-country study programs. This degree allows you to select two majors ensuring you graduate with a broad knowledge of two areas of interest. You can choose your second major from the following:

• Aboriginal Studies
• Applied Linguistics
• Cultural Studies
• Creative Writing and Literature
• History and Global Politics
• Law, Policy and Politics
• Psychology
• Sociology

This double degree ensures you have the advanced writing and production skills needed for a career in the journalism industry, as well as the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for a career in creative, professional and technical writing.

What you'll learn

This degree will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to work as a journalist and writer in mainstream, niche and community media, publishing and communication fields. The emphasis on professional writing opens doors to a wide variety of allied professions such as technical writing, tender presentations, and marketing and communication.

You will study historical and contemporary fiction, non-fiction, poetry, autobiographies, essays and plays. As you begin to create your own great classics, you will also learn how different oral and written texts have impacted on cultures around the world. A final year industry internship will further extend your knowledge and training. Under the guidance of skilled academics and researchers, you will:

• develop creative writing skills
• explore how different oral and written texts have impacted on the cultures of the world
• learn how to author and edit written, audio and visual texts within news and non-news environments
• develop the production skills required by news and online media, including filming and editing, problem solving and decision-making
• learn how to use industry-standard hardware and software
• develop analytical and research skills

Graduates of this degree (the only one of its kind in South Australia) are qualified to work as journalists in any medium, across any platform, and in media organisation newsrooms, local community news sites, niche and community media, and as freelance/entrepreneurial journalists. They are also well qualified to work across communication fields. An emphasis on professional writing opens doors to a wide variety of allied professions, such as technical writing, tender presentations, and marketing and communication.

You can explore journalistic areas of interest such as:

• Science, space and technology
• Data and investigative journalism
• Governments and politics
• International relations
• Economy, business and finance
• Social and legal justice, and inclusion
• Travel writing
• Culture and arts journalism
• Environment and sustainability
• Sports journalism.

This degree provides a framework for understanding the notions of critical disability studies, ableism, ageism and as well as capacities to support individuals living with disability and utilising support networks to live their optimum life.

You will develop a broad and coherent body of knowledge of human service practice, with in-depth understanding in the underlying principles and concepts of:

• Ethical practice
• Social and emotional development and wellbeing, community engagement and promoting independence
• Policy, legislation and programs to support social value and optimal wellbeing.

In addition to this you will also get practical experience as part of the degree’s field education placement component. This is a valuable learning opportunity where you will build industry networks and further enhance your practical skills. 

Based at the Magill campus, this degree offers Honours with a difference. Graduate ready to teach, with enhanced career opportunities, and the added benefit of graduating with a professional Honours degree. You will graduate skilled, confident and ready to pursue your teaching career in primary education (F-6).

The Bachelor of Primary Education (Honours) is a four-year professional degree solely focused on teaching that will equip you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to thrive as a contemporary educator in junior primary and primary settings.

As well as real-world experience, you will be given the opportunity to fine-tune your learning with a primary specialism, focusing on a particular Learning Area aligned with the Australian Curriculum:

• Arts
• Design and Technology
• English
• Health and Physical Education
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Languages
• Mathematics
• Religious Education (Catholic Studies)
• Science

As a student studying the Cultural Studies major you will explore the complex and diverse economic, cultural, social, historical and political legacies that influence modern-day society.

You will:

• Develop a sophisticated body of knowledge regarding cultures and their contexts
• Undertake cultural analysis including weighing evidence, explaining varying perspectives and communicating effectively
• Research and analyse real world problems
• Explore contemporary cultural contexts including computer games, music and popular culture.

This degree provides a balance of courses in psychology theory, counselling, workplace culture, and staff health and wellbeing. You will graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively support and counsel staff and build staff recruitment, retention, and training and development strategies.

What you'll learn

This specialised double degree will provide you with a solid understanding of the theory associated with psychology and counselling, as well as the skills needed to effectively manage people. Core courses in business theory will give you a solid grasp of business fundamentals such as economics, accounting, business law and employment relations.

The psychology component of your studies will cover areas such as developmental psychology; cognitive psychology; psychological assessment and research; counselling skills; and work and organisational psychology. You'll also study specialist human resource management topics such as organisational behaviour, performance and compensation management, training and development, industrial relations, and occupational health and safety.