Master of International Journalism (MC-INTJOUR)

Masters (Coursework)Year: 2018 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Award titleMaster of International Journalism
Year & campus2018 — Parkville
CRICOS code096334F
Fees informationSubject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date
Study level & typeGraduate Coursework
AQF level 9
Credit points200 credit points
Duration24 months full-time or 48 months part-time

The Master of International Journalism (MIJ) is targeted at students interested in understanding and producing journalism in an international field of practice, where it is important that key skills are complemented by an understanding of different professional traditions, conventions, cultures and challenges.  It particularly seeks to cater for aspiring journalists or mid-career professionals concerned to develop an international career, by providing an in-depth focus on different traditions, media systems and industry environments. The Masters of International Journalism combines an emphasis on key skills - newsgathering and newswriting, video, audio, digital and social media production – with an international outlook on how different media operate in different cultures and markets. It also focuses on particular areas where a transnational perspective and knowledge is important, such as business and finance journalism. The degree supports understanding of the different expectations, pressures and opportunities of journalism in different industry, regulatory and cultural environments, and how globalisation and digitisation are contributing to change within and across these settings. It prepares graduates to be confident and knowledgeable practitioners in a diverse and rapidly changing international field of practice, while equipping them with the skills to successfully operate in the fast-changing environment of digital journalism. The degree also offers the potential for substantial coursework elements, including Internships, Journalism Project and Journalism Thesis, to be completed in international settings.

Links to further information

www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/culture-communication

Entry requirements

  1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
  • an undergraduate degree with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent.

Meeting this requirement does not guarantee selection.

 

  1. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
  • prior academic performance; and
  • relevance of previous studies.

 

  1. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

 

  1. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

 

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 50 points of credit:

  • an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent; or
  • an undergraduate degree in any discipline and a Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent; or
  • an undergraduate degree in any discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent, and at least two years of documented, relevant work experience.

 

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 100 points of credit:

  • an honours degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent; or
  • an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent, and at least two years of documented, relevant work experience.

 

Applicants seeking credit for relevant work experience must document their experience with a brief curriculum vitae detailing the experience, contact details of two referees who can confirm the authenticity and nature of the experience claimed, and a covering letter that explains how the experience is relevant to the program and prepares them for it.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to providingsupport to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Intended learning outcomes

The Master of International Journalism should:

  • Assist aspiring and practising journalists to develop specialised knowledge and skills in international journalism, by learning about professional issues and new and innovative forms of practice in the international context
  • Link theory and practice in the international context, by comparing the different traditions of journalistic professionalism in a variety of countries and cultural backgrounds, such that graduates understand differences in international settings and how these are changing
  • Support critical and ethical reflection on international journalism, such that graduates are equipped to exercise responsibility as expert practitioners of journalism
  • Equip graduates with the applied knowledge, skills and capacities of critical reflection they need to shape the profession and play a leadership role in international journalism at a time of great change
  • Take a real-world, profession-based approach to delivery, through the use of case-based teaching and the production of high quality journalism by students, enabling the formation of graduates who are excellent communicators

Generic skills

Graduates of the Master of International Journalism should:

  • Demonstrate capacities of informed critical reflection and practical reasoning
  • Have excellent communication skills across a range of media platforms
  • Be equipped with capacities of moral reasoning, and a capacity to exercise moral reasoning and social responsibility
  • Be equipped to critically investigate significant issues through independent research and investigation
  • Be prepared to exercise responsibility in supporting the values of global citizenship

Graduate attributes

Graduates of the Master of International Journalism should:

  • Have developed a familiarity with different international traditions, practices and environments of journalism
  • Be equipped to investigate and report on stories ethically and with a sensitivity to local and cultural context
  • Demonstrate a practically grounded and theoretically informed understanding of the implications of social change for shifting fields of practice in an international context;
  • Have excellent critical skills and a capacity to engage with complex social issues and problems in global and local contexts
  • Demonstrate the ability to explain the differences between different social, cultural and professional settings, and an openness to different perspectives
  • Be equipped with capacities of informed ethical reasoning, and an understanding of their social responsibilities

Course structure

Students in the 200 and 150 point programs are strongly advised to complete JOUR90020 in their first semester of the degree. This subject will be a prerequisite for the existing subjects JOUR90005, JOUR90008 and JOUR90023, unless the course coordinator grants exemption from these requirements, which may be done on the grounds of previous study or industry experience.

 

200 point program

Coursework Only Option:

  • One compulsory subject (25 points)
  • A minimum of 75 points of core subjects (75 points)
  • Other core subjects or elective subjects (100 points)

or

Minor Thesis or Journalism Project option:

  • One compulsory subject (25 points)
  • A minimum of 37.5 points of core subjects
  • Other core subjects or elective subjects (100 points)
  • Journalism Thesis or Journalism Project (37.5 points)

 

150 point program

Coursework Only Option:

  • One compulsory subject (25 points)
  • A minimum of 62.5 points of core subjects
  • Other core subjects or elective subjects (62.5  points)

or

Minor Thesis and Journalism Project option:

  • One compulsory subject (25 points)
  • A minimum of 37.5 points of core subjects
  • Other core subjects or elective subjects (50 points)
  • Journalism Thesis or Journalism Project (37.5 points)

 

100 point program

Coursework Only Option:

  • A minimum of 62.5 points of core subjects
  • Other core subjects or elective subjects (37.5 points)

or

Minor Thesis and Journalism Project option:

  • A minimum of 25 points of core subjects
  • Other core subjects or elective subjects (37.5 points)
  • Journalism Thesis or Journalism Project (37.5 points)

 

Capstone Requirement:

All students are required to complete the Capstone Requirement for the program (at least 25 points). Students must complete one capstone option:

Capstone Stream 1: JOUR90015 Journalism Thesis Part 1 and JOUR90016 Journalism Thesis Part 2 (37.5 points total)

Purpose: An opportunity to integrate knowledge and research skills to address a specific Journalism research by planning and executing a substantial research-based project.

Capstone Stream 2: JOUR90017 Journalism Project Part 1, JOUR90018 Journalism Project Part 2 and JOUR90019 Journalism Project Part 3 (37.5 points total)

Purpose: An opportunity to complete a substantial professionally focussed project under industry standard supervision. This might be a book, portfolio of articles or other substantial journalistic project.

Capstone Stream 3: JOUR90021 International Traditions in Journalism (12.5 points) and JOUR90003 Journalism Internship (12.5 points) OR JOUR90023 International Business Journalism (12.5 points) and JOUR90003 Journalism Internship (12.5 points)

Majors, minors & specialisations

Name Credit Points
200 Point Master of International Journalism 200
150 Point Master of International Journalism 150
100 Point Master of International Journalism 100

Last updated: 19 April 2025