Publishing
Coursework
The Master of Publishing degree equips candidates with the skills and knowledge required for book and magazine publishing (digital and print).
The 18-month degree (three semesters) offers both professional training with direct vocational applications, as well as providing a scholarly approach to the history of publishing, its cultural significance and changing directions. Our units of study consider aspects of book, magazine and online editing; manuscript preparation; print and website production; publication design; marketing and understanding of the publishing business.
The course is aimed at students who wish to take up, or already occupy, career positions in publishing or in other organisations where an in-depth understanding of the publishing world would enhance their professional prospects.
It includes a competitive elective internship unit which is one of the capstone options. There is also an elective extracurricular anthology project so that graduates are equipped with real-world experience and have the opportunity to develop a portfolio. For those students not undertaking an internship, the capstone options are a professional project or an advanced audio or video project or a dissertation (two units - Dissertation Parts 1 and 2 completed across two semesters). The Masters is suited to people with little or no knowledge of publishing, as well as those already working within the industry. The Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate courses provide shorter avenues to update and extend your professional skills, explore new career directions, or a pathway to the Masters. All degrees can be taken as full-time or part-time.
Six core units of study are available, of which students choose four: Editing and Proofreading; Publication Design; Book Publishing Business; Producing Books in the Digital Age; Making Magazines; Reading Magazines.
Students may enrol in 12 credit points of any postgraduate units outside of the Master of Publishing degree table. These may be taken from Media and Communications (MECO) electives with permission from the relevant degree director or from units of study offered by Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or other faculties. Only 6 credit points may be taken from faculties outside of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
See also: Digital Communication and Cultures, Health Communication, Media Practice, Strategic Public Relations.
Awards and requirements
Please refer to the course rules in this handbook for information on the specific admission requirements for different coursework award courses.
Master of Publishing
Candidates for the Master of Publishing are required to complete 72 credit points including:
- a minimum of 24 credit points of core units of study
- a maximum of 42 credit points from elective units of study
- at least 6 credit points of capstone units of study
Graduate Diploma in Publishing
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Publishing are required to complete 48 credit points including:
- a minimum of 24 credit points of core units of study
- a maximum of 24 credit points from elective units of study
Graduate Certificate in Publishing
Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Publishing are required to complete 24 credit points including:
- a minimum of 12 credit points of core units of study
- a maximum of 12 credit points from elective units of study
Learning outcomes
At the completion of the Master of Publishing, a student will be able to:
| No. | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Understand and demonstrate the core production skills in editing and manuscript preparation, on-screen and print. |
| 2 | Understand and demonstrate the core concepts and skills of book production and the publishing business. |
| 3 | Apply an advanced understanding of magazine production by creating a magazine. |
| 4 | Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the principles of publication design, in screen and print, using industry-standard software. |
| 5 | Understand and practically demonstrate the latest developments in e-publishing for books and magazines. |
| 6 | Design, evaluate, implement, and analyse developments that contribute to professional practice and/or scholarship in publishing. |
| 7 | Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills with creativity and intiative to new situations in professional publishing practice. |
| 8 | Plan and produce an innovative research or practice project, independently with minimal supervision. |
Reduced volume of learning (RVL)
Candidates who have completed previous study in a relevant discipline may be eligible for a reduction in the requirements in accordance with the table below.
| Level of prior learning | Full-time duration | Credit points to complete |
|---|---|---|
| Relevant professional experience equivalent to a Graduate Certificate | 1 year | 48 |
| AQF Level 8 eg. Honours in a relevant discipline | 1 year | 48 |
Example pathways
|
Master of Publishing - book stream suggested cores and electives The electives are suggested as appropriate for book publishing but not compulsory |
||
|---|---|---|
| SUGGESTED CORES | SUGGESTED ELECTIVES | |
|
MECO6930 Publication Design |
MECO6936 Social Media Communication |
MECO6902 Legal and ethical issues in media practice |
|
MECO6916 Editing and Proofreading |
WRIT6001 Professional Editing |
MECO6944 Manuscript acquisition and development |
|
MECO6937 Producing Books in the Digital Age |
MECO6924 Television and Video Journalism |
WRIT6000 Professional Writing |
|
MECO6917 Publishing Business |
MECO6943 Book Marketing and Sales |
MECO6941 Podcasting |
|
MECO6915 Writing Features: Narrative Journalism |
ENGL6936 Writers at Work |
|
|
Master of Publishing - magazine stream suggested cores and electives The electives are suggested as appropriate for magazine publishing students but not compulsory |
||
|---|---|---|
| SUGGESTED CORES | SUGGESTED ELECTIVES | |
|
MECO6916 Editing and Proofreading |
MECO6900 News Writing |
MECO6902 Legal and ethical issues in media practice |
|
ENGL6970 Reading Magazines |
WRIT6001 Professional editing |
MECO6915 Writing Features: Narrative Journalism |
|
MECO6930 Publication Design |
MECO6938 The Interview |
WRIT6000 Professional Writing |
|
MECO6914 Making Magazines |
MECO6925 Online Journalism |
MECO6941 Podcasting |
|
MECO6924 Television and Video Journalism |
ENGL6936 Writers at Work |
|
|
MECO6936 Social Media Communication |
||
Contacts and further information
Contact details can be found on these websites:
Department of Media and Communications
School of Literature, Art and Media