Skip to main content Skip to main navigation
Apply Enquire

Master of Professional Communication

Course code L44

Communication is the key to solving the world’s problems. Diplomatic breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, life-saving health advice – all these things depend on the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

Communication also increasingly relies on an understanding of cultural context, across complex global networks.
If you have a bachelor’s degree in any field, this course will equip you with the communication skills to unlock the potential of your degree; and to really have an impact. You’ll master successful oral communication techniques, learn how to write for specific audiences and become proficient at analysing digital texts. You’ll also learn best-practice communication strategies to manage interactions between organisations.
As part of the course and to contextualise your learning to your own interests and expertise, you’ll design and execute a Masters project. This will be a guided independent study that emphasises a process of inquiry, analysis, and synthesis of communications theory and practice to your own discipline.

Why ECU?

  • QILT logo

    ECU top in teaching quality

    For the fifth year in a row, ECU has received the top undergraduate teaching quality ranking of all 37 public universities in Australia.

    ECU was also the top-ranked public university in Australia for undergraduate skills development for the sixth year in a row.

    View QILT results.

  • The Good Universities Guide 2021

    Good Universities Guide

    In the 2021 Good Universities Guide, ECU graduates have given us a 5-star rating for teaching quality, skills development, student support, learning resources, learner engagement and overall student experience.

    The 5-star rating for undergraduate teaching quality has now been achieved for 14 straight years.

    Read more about the Good Universities Guide.

  • THE Impact Rankings 2020

    THE Impact Rankings

    ECU has been ranked number 9 in the world for Quality Education and is in the top 100 overall in the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact rankings, showing how the global higher education sector is working towards the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

    Read more about the THE Impact Rankings

  • THE World University Rankings 2020 Top 100 Young

    THE Young University Rankings

    ECU has been ranked in the world's top 100 universities under 50 years old in the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) Young Universities Rankings, THE World University Rankings.

Course overview

Choose student type

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Course code

L44

Admissions

ECU admission profile

Fees

Domestic fee paying - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $19,150

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

2 years full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup
Mount Lawley FT PT FT PT
South West
Online
FT - Full-time PT - Part-time

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Course code

L44

CRICOS code

083661J

Fees

International students - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $31,350

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

2 years full-time

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup
Mount Lawley FT FT
South West
Online
FT - Full-time PT - Part-time

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • Academic admission requirements (Band 6) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree; or
    • Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.

  • English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
    • Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
    • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
    • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

Course Details

Choose student type

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Mount Lawley

Semester 1: Study part-time at Mount Lawley

Semester 2: Study full-time at Mount Lawley

Semester 2: Study part-time at Mount Lawley

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Mount Lawley

Semester 2: Study full-time at Mount Lawley

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
CMM5160Effective Communication in Professional Contexts20
CMM5165Media and Society in a Globalised World20
CMM5170Advertising and Brand Awareness20
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
CMM6116Methods of Inquiry20
CMM6150Media and Transnational Asia20
CMM5180Public Relations Strategies20
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
CMM5175Journalism in the New Media: Converged Environment20
CMM5110Globalisation, Cultural Diversity and Innovation20
CCA6150Project Preparation20
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
CCA6240Masters Project 130
CCA6250Masters Project 230

L44|2

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Semester timetable.

Student handbook

Course notes

Important course notes

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise complex concepts in authentic situations.
  2. Apply communication and collaboration skills to produce contributions to professional practice.
  3. Reflect critically on a complex body of knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate mastery of Communications principles.
  4. Use high level self management skills to plan and execute a substantial project.

Need some help deciding what to study?

Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.

Fees and Scholarships

Choose student type

AUD $19,150 *

* Domestic fee paying - estimated 1st year indicative fee

The 'Estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for the individual units you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

AUD $31,350 *

* International students - estimated 1st year indicative fee

The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, and has been calculated based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for each individual unit you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Become World Ready

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Do you have any questions about the Master of Professional Communication?