C04385v1 Master of Strategic Communication
Award(s): Master of Strategic Communication (MStratComm)CRICOS code: 098387K
Commonwealth supported place?: No
Load credit points: 72
Course EFTSL: 1.5
Location: City campus
Overview
Course aims
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Recognition of prior learning
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course diagram
Course program
Articulation with UTS courses
Professional recognition
Other information
Overview
The Master of Strategic Communication provides advanced study in public communication practices. It is relevant for graduates seeking a career in corporate, government, political, health, organisational or marketing communication, advertising, or public relations and for communication professionals seeking to advance their career to senior level.
The Master of Strategic Communication includes theoretical and practical perspectives on up-to-date issues such as audience insights through ethical data collection and analysis, digital media communication, and strategic communication informed by research and evaluation.
Download the Master of Strategic Communication flyer
The world of public communication is changing rapidly through digitalisation, 'big data' analysis, new platforms and channels, and shifting attitudes and concerns. These are leading to changing practices and challenges, and new ethical concerns. The UTS Master of Strategic Communication is based on the latest research and is taught by a combination of senior academic researchers and leading industry professionals.
Course aims
Graduates of this course obtain:
- an advanced understanding of human communication informed by social psychology, sociology, semiotics, cultural studies and other disciplines
- the capability to synthesise communication theory and practice
- the capability to develop communication strategy informed by research and analysis
- a sensitivity to ethical and legal issues related to media and communication
- a sensitivity to inclusiveness, equity and social justice
- the capacity to develop communication strategies that reflect intercultural and global perspectives, and
- practical skills to apply strategic communication to address organisational or social challenges and problems.
Career options
Graduates of this course are equipped to work in senior roles in corporate, government, political, organisational or marketing communication, advertising, public relations or integrated communication, including positions related to marketing and promotion, stakeholder engagement, employee communication, health, community relations, media relations, and public affairs.
Course intended learning outcomes
This course engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
| 1.1 | Apply a body of practice-oriented knowledge and skills to develop, implement and evaluate innovative solutions to real-world communication challenges with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability |
| 1.2 | Graduates are able to continually develop the multi-media skills that are required to remain current in professional practice |
| 2.1 | Plan and execute a substantial body of research |
| 2.2 | Critically and creatively re-think and reflect on public relations, advertising and organisational change models and practices for the 21st century beyond dominant models and approaches |
| 2.3 | Locate, gather, organise and synthesise information across diverse platforms to guide their mastery of contemporary communication issues and challenges |
| 3.1 | Recognise and negotiate cultural differences |
| 3.2 | Graduates are able to continually reflect on and interrogate their cultural values and those of colleagues and organisations |
| 4.1 | Analyse the opportunities and constraints organisational communication poses for Indigenous people and issues and learn how to be led by diverse Indigenous perspectives to identify new ways of imagining and creating communication solutions for a range of issues and publics |
| 5.1 | Graduates are able to exercise leadership in the development of communication strategies that address challenges and implement solutions on issues of exclusion, equity, cultural difference and social justice |
| 6.1 | Graduates are able to persuade and engage diverse audiences through both written and oral communication strategies across a range of media formats with consideration of others' needs and views |
Key
The first digit of each CILO indicates the relevant graduate attribute:
- Professional Readiness
- Critical and Creative Inquiry
- International and Intercultural Engagement
- Indigenous Competencies
- Active Citizenship
- Effective Communication
Admission requirements
Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies.
For applicants with a bachelor's degree, the degree must be in field of education, management and commerce, society and culture (e.g. Bachelor of Arts), or creative arts.
For applicants with a master's, graduate diploma or graduate certificate qualification, the qualification can be in any field of study.
If applicants have not met any of the requirements above, they must provide:
- a personal statement (approximately 500 words) explaining why they wish to study the course they are applying for, and
- a curriculum vitae (CV), which should include details of paid and voluntary work or other experiences (e.g. special interest groups) that could be relevant to the course.
If applicants do not submit these documents, their application may not be considered.
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International students
Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
Recognition of prior learning
Students who have successfully completed subjects from the Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication (C06129) are eligible for recognition of prior learning for completed subjects.
Course duration and attendance
The course is offered on a one-and-a-half years, full-time or three years, part-time basis.
Course structure
This course totals 72 credit points of study consisting of six core subjects (48 credit points) and three electives (24 credit points). Full-time students are required to undertake 24 credit points a session. Part-time students should undertake 8 or 16 credit points a session.
Course completion requirements
| STM91277 Core subjects (Strategic Communication) | 48cp | |
| CBK91760 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Total | 72cp |
Course diagram
Course program
Typical course programs are shown below for full-time and part-time students, commencing in Autumn or Spring sessions.
| Typical program, Autumn commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57223 Exploring Human Communication: Theories and Practice | 8cp | |
| 57215 Strategic Communication and Integration | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK91760 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57222 Influence in the Digital World | 8cp | |
| 97902 Intercultural and International Communication | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK91760 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57213 Understanding and Engaging Audiences | 8cp | |
| 57210 Managing Public Communication | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK91760 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Typical program, Spring commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 57223 Exploring Human Communication: Theories and Practice | 8cp | |
| 57213 Understanding and Engaging Audiences | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK91760 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57215 Strategic Communication and Integration | 8cp | |
| 57210 Managing Public Communication | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK91760 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57222 Influence in the Digital World | 8cp | |
| 97902 Intercultural and International Communication | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK91760 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Typical program, Autumn commencing, part time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57223 Exploring Human Communication: Theories and Practice | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK91760 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57222 Influence in the Digital World | 8cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57215 Strategic Communication and Integration | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK91760 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 97902 Intercultural and International Communication | 8cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57210 Managing Public Communication | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK91760 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57213 Understanding and Engaging Audiences | 8cp | |
| Typical program, Spring commencing, part time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 57223 Exploring Human Communication: Theories and Practice | 8cp | |
| 57213 Understanding and Engaging Audiences | 8cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57215 Strategic Communication and Integration | 8cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57222 Influence in the Digital World | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK91760 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK91760 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| 57210 Managing Public Communication | 8cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 97902 Intercultural and International Communication | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK91760 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
Articulation with UTS courses
This course is part of an articulated program with the Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication (C06129).
Students transferring from the Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication to the Master of Strategic Communication must have successfully completed at least three subjects in the Strategic Communication postgraduate program.
Professional recognition
Programs in the public communication discipline at UTS are accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA).
Students have access to free student membership of the PRIA and graduates have an accelerated path to professional membership of the PRIA.
Other information
Further information is available from the UTS Student Centre on:
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS