Humanities and Social Sciences

Media Studies Program

Master of Global Communications

La Trobe University's innovative new Master of Global Communications is a cross-disciplinary degree which offers an exciting mix of theoretical and practical units in media and journalism. The course is designed to equip graduates with the skills and insights for a professional career in media industries and taught by leading scholars and practitioners in the fields of media and journalism.

The Master of Global Communications with Honours combines the one year of coursework offered in the Master of Global Communications with an additional six months of study during which students undertake a research thesis on a relevant topic of 15,000 words. The handbook entry, including details of subjects offered, can be found here.

Issues and themes

The contemporary media play a critical role in the transnational flows of information that are vital to the cultural and economic development of the globalised world. A sophisticated and thorough understanding of that role is therefore essential for those who work, or are intending to work, in the media. The Master of Global Communications and the Master of Global Communications with Honours will provide graduates with the critical and analytical training essential to making sense of the media as well as the opportunity to develop and refine journalism skills that will enhance their capacity to engage with media industries as scholars and/or as practitioners.

Both courses offer students the opportunity to examine a wide range of issues at an advanced level of study, as well as to engage in professionally oriented practice. These include:

• The transnational flow of media in diverse cultural contexts
• The evolving role of the working journalist
• The role of public service broadcasting in a global context
• The governance of global flows of goods, information, people and finance
• The gender politics of media production
• Law and ethics in journalism
• Practical subjects in online journalism, broadcast writing and video production
• A journalism internship

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Who should undertake the course

The Master of Global Communications is aimed at graduates who may not have a first degree in media or journalism. It is also intended for graduates who are already working in media and journalism who are seeking to upgrade their qualifications and/or to refine and enhance their skills.

The Master of Global Communications with Honours is intended for the same cohort as described above, but is particularly aimed at students who wish to undertake specific research on some aspect of Global Communications and/or who wish to proceed to further academic study.

Why study Global Communications at La Trobe University?

La Trobe University was one of the pioneers of Media Studies in Australia and has an established reputation both locally, and internationally as a key provider of media education at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Graduates from our program are employed in a broad range of media industries, as well as in academic positions within universities across Australia and overseas.

Industry links

La Trobe's Media and Journalism degree programs have built up a diverse range of industry linkages. Lecturers are actively involved in documentary production, as well as print and online publications and broadcasting. The Curriculum Advisory Panel consists of a range of media practitioners, and is actively involved in the development of both the Master of Global Communications and Bachelor of Journalism degrees.

Graduate skills and attributes

• An understanding of the key theoretical frameworks and an ability to apply them to media and journalism practice
• The ability to undertake critical inquiry and analysis of complex media and journalism issues
• The ability to communicate to diverse audiences in written and verbal formats
• An understanding of the key elements of policy making in media and communications
• The capacity to advise on the social and economic implications of media consumption
• An understanding on key trends in global media production

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Career opportunities

Graduates will be suited to employment in media organisations, government and inter-governmental agencies, campaigning/advocacy organisations, and research or training institutes. These include:

• Journalist
• Communications Officer
• Campaign or Advocacy Officer
• International Media Expert
• Policy and Research Officer (Government, Business, Academic, NGO)
• Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Researcher
• Analyst
  

Entry requirements

An Australian undergraduate degree (or its equivalent).
Selection Criteria: B average (or its equivalent), where a B average has not been achieved, appropriate professional experience will be taken into account.

How to apply
Application forms can be downloaded from the web or can be collected from the office of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences where you will also receive an application form for a Commonwealth supported place. Humanities & Social Sciences is located in Humanities 3 building, or phone 03 9479 2023.

Length and delivery of course

Master of Global Communications
The Master of Global Communications is an intensive one year coursework degree. Students must successfully complete 120 credit points. Students are required to undertake two core units of 30 credit points each, and choose additional units totalling 60 credit points from an approved list of electives.

Course duration: 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent

Master of Global Communications with Honours

The Master of Global Communications with Honours involves one year of coursework as outlined for the Master of Global Communications and successful completion of all units. An additional semester is then undertaken during which a 60 credit point unit consisting of a 15,000-word research thesis.

Course duration: 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent

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Further Information

Local Students
Dr Lawrie Zion
Master of Global Communications Coordinator
T: (+61 3) 9479 2961
F: (+61 3) 9479 3638
E: l.zion@latrobe.edu.au W: www.latrobe.edu.au/media

International Students
La Trobe International
La Trobe University
Victoria 3086 Australia
T: (+61 3) 9627 4805
F: (+61 3) 9479 3660
E: international@latrobe.edu.au
W: www.latrobe.edu.au/international

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