Skip to content Deakin home Contact Deakin Directory of staff Site map A-Z index Help Portal
Faculty of Arts and Education
Deakin University
Decrease text size Increase text size print
Deakin home > Faculty of Arts and Education

New courses

As part of Deakin's commitment to innovation, responsiveness, and relevancy to industry, the Faculty of Arts and Education has introduced the following exciting programs in 2009:

New in 2008

Master of Arts (Creative Enterprise)

The Master of Arts (Creative Enterprise) provides intensive training in new venture development, business modelling in the creative industries, alongside creative practice and development in writing, publishing, new media, performance and film. It culminates in the development of a start-up creative enterprise.

Students may undertake the Master of Arts (Creative Enterprise) (8 cp) across three semesters or 12 months. The course builds on core units of The Creative Economy, Arts Audiences, Arts and the Law, and New Ventures in Creative Enterprises and concludes with a project in a studio-based incubator environment. Every student will bring to the course a creative idea that is to be developed through learning, practice and mentoring in enterprise skills and creative production in a studio-based incubator environment. Industry practitioners and professionals will add authenticity to the 'classroom as incubator'.

The Master of Arts (Creative Enterprise) is a unique course, offering local creative practitioners a lifelong investment in their entrepreneurial and economic future. It also meets a growing international student demand for transferring education in the creative arts to a creative business.

Course summary


Return to top

Master of Cultural Heritage (Honours)

The Master of Cultural Heritage (Honours) coursework degree extends the Master of Cultural Heritage course by adding a further 4 credit points involving research training, a minor thesis and a period of internship and/or international experience involving field work on a heritage site. The course also provides an avenue for students wishing to continue on to PhD candidature.

Communities and governments in the Asia-Pacific region are taking measures to protect their heritage before economic globalisation, rising land prices and insensitive planning decisions take their toll. This course provides an integrated approach for those working in government agencies, private corporations, community organisations and in private practice in a range of professions, who seek to develop a broader understanding of, and specialist skills in the cultural heritage industry.

More information


Return to top

Graduate Certificate of Film and Video

Graduate Diploma of Film and Video

Master of Film and Video

The film and video industry is undergoing a period of massive change and unprecedented growth. Demand for film and video content has increased exponentially in a visual communication driven and knowledge rich society. The proliferation of screen content requires more producers, directors and independent freelancers. Digitalisation is such that video technology now rivals film. Indeed, the main outlets for film are no longer the "traditional" cinemas, but rather televisions, desktop computers, laptops, iPods and mobile phones.

The Deakin University Film and Video program stream is designed to meet this growing demand by providing postgraduate students the opportunity to create content across evolving and diverse distribution platforms, and to acquire the entrepreneurial skills necessary for creating their own employment in this vibrant and exciting industry. The program is unique because the projects and work that students will produce matches the opportunities for short film exhibitions throughout Australia and overseas.

More information


Return to top

Master of Communication - Advertising

Advertising is part of a huge industry that encompasses mainstream media communication, new media and electronic communication, direct marketing, sales promotion, design and corporate image making.

Deakin's Master of Communication with a specialisation in Advertising provides students with the theoretical background of advertising along with the practical skills for enhancing creativity to ensure graduates can successfully engage in the diverse roles available in the advertising industry.

Through coursework and a major project, students will develop individual responsibility, creative processes, critical analysis and the capacity to undertake advertising projects and campaigns. This course is unique in that it combines creative arts development with advertising communication strategies.

More information


Return to top

Bachelor of Creative Arts (Dance)

The Bachelor of Creative Arts offers students a range of skills in one discipline (dance, drama, graphic design or visual arts), systematic exposure to collaborative possibilities between various art forms, the experience of bringing art forms together in major projects, training in creative arts enterprise and management, and a grounding in the academic knowledge necessary to understand the arts and to create new forms of art. The program draws upon the expertise of its staff, who are active practitioners in their fields, and industry, through visiting, special guest and casual academic staff.

Deakin University's Bachelor of Creative Arts (Dance), comprises one of Australia's leading choreography programs with cross-collaboration study in other art forms, and an emphasis on developing practical arts management skills that will assist in achieving a variety of careers in the Performing Arts.

Deakin's dance graduates are trained to be confident self-starters who have excellent choreography ability and skills in professional arts practice - such as event promotions, performance staging, and grant application. These practical skills make Deakin dance graduates highly employable. The Bachelor of Creative Arts (Dance) provides a unique opportunity to combine dance studies with other art forms such as Drama, Visual Arts, Graphic Design and Film and Digital media

Course summary


Return to top

Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama)

The Bachelor of Creative Arts offers students a range of skills in one discipline (dance, drama, graphic design or visual arts), systematic exposure to collaborative possibilities between various art forms, the experience of bringing art forms together in major projects, training in creative arts enterprise and management, and a grounding in the academic knowledge necessary to understand the arts and to create new forms of art. The program draws upon the expertise of its staff, who are active practitioners in their fields, and industry, through visiting, special guest and casual academic staff.

The growth of community based art events and performances requires artists to have a capacity to identify, and respond to, contemporary cultural issues, and to collaborate and liaise with community participants and artists from other disciplines. The Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama) programs uniquely equip students to work successfully in a wide variety of Arts communities.

Course summary


Return to top

Bachelor of Creative Arts (Graphic Design)

The Bachelor of Creative Arts offers students a range of skills in one discipline (dance, drama, graphic design or visual arts), systematic exposure to collaborative possibilities between various art forms, the experience of bringing art forms together in major projects, training in creative arts enterprise and management, and a grounding in the academic knowledge necessary to understand the arts and to create new forms of art. The program draws upon the expertise of its staff, who are active practitioners in their fields, and industry, through visiting, special guest and casual academic staff.

Communication has always been dependent upon well designed print media. With the advent of the Internet the need for creative individuals adept in the techniques of visual communication has never been more important. Studying graphic arts at Deakin enables potential graphic designers to engage in a diverse range of activities that includes both traditional and contemporary approaches to this discipline.

Students are encouraged to develop a critical approach to problem-solving, embracing where applicable, current technological developments in the graphic arts.

Topics include modern typographic trends, approaches to contemporary publication design, web design and the relationship between graphic design and digital photography.

Students are expected to apply management procedures to work undertaken, including familiarity with aspects such as copyright law and the daily operation of a professional studio, and liaison with potential clients and practicing professionals.

Course summary


Return to top

Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts)

The Bachelor of Creative Arts offers students a range of skills in one discipline (dance, drama, graphic design or visual arts), systematic exposure to collaborative possibilities between various art forms, the experience of bringing art forms together in major projects, training in creative arts enterprise and management, and a grounding in the academic knowledge necessary to understand the arts and to create new forms of art. The program draws upon the expertise of its staff, who are active practitioners in their fields, and industry, through visiting, special guest and casual academic staff.

Deakin's visual arts programs offer students the opportunity to gain qualifications, skills and knowledge for professional practice in visual arts and graphic design. Students develop skills for a specialised industry vocation or a broader role in the fields of culture and the arts. The courses combine cutting edge contemporary theory with specialised studio practice incorporating digital technologies.

Course summary


Return to top

Bachelor of Film and Digital Media

The Bachelor of Film and Digital Media offers a program in which students will select a comprehensive study of the theories, techniques and practices of a major media discipline and be able to extend and build upon their skills in a range of other creative arts theory and practices to emerge as creative and multi-skilled graduates.

The major disciplines of Film, Animation and Photography focus on the development of the creative, analytic, team and independence skills required to successfully apply technique in professional and artistic practices. They expose students to the diversity of the histories of the mediums and the critical and theoretical ways in which these mediums can be analysed and received.

The Bachelor of Film and Digital Media prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of media and creative industries by providing opportunities for cross disciple collaboration, multi-skilling, internships, international study and study in professional practice and entrepreneurship. The program draws upon the expertise of its staff, who are active media practitioners, and industry, through visiting, special guest and casual academic staff.

Course summary


Return to top

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours)

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) is a Type A Honours year available to graduates of three year bachelor degrees in Early Childhood with a grade point average of 70% or above in their third year. In most higher education institutions, graduates from Honours programs may apply for a doctoral program. The honours year includes writing a research proposal, undertaking coursework units and writing a thesis.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) program will be recognised as four-year qualified early childhood teachers.

Course summary


Return to top

Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary)

The unique and new Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) is designed to prepare graduates from other disciplines to be eligible for registration and employment as teachers in primary schools. It provides an opportunity for you to experience studying and teaching in different educational settings through compulsory professional experience (supervised school experience) placements.

The course is an intensive study course enabling students to complete what is usually a one-year course of study in seven months full-time from November to June. It is a specialist qualification covering all areas in primary curriculum including English language, mathematics, science, arts, social education, health and physical education and technology. Graduates will be specialists in both teaching and educational research.

Graduates will meet the Victorian Institute of Teaching’s Professional Standards for Graduating Teachers and will be eligible for registration as a primary teacher in Australia.

Course summary


Return to top

Recent additions

Graduate Certificate of Arts and Sciences

Melbourne Campus at Burwood Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds

The Graduate Certificate of Arts and Sciences, to be offered from 2007, aims to create graduates who are not only knowledgeable in their field of study, but who are also broadly educated, lateral thinkers who are creative, innovative and able to think outside the confines of their disciplines.

The Graduate Certificate consists of four subjects and is available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

More information


Return to top

Diploma of Language (undergraduate)

Graduate Certificate of Language

Graduate Diploma of Language

Melbourne Campus at Burwood - Arabic, Chinese and Indonesian Off-Campus, Indonesian.

The new Diploma of Language (offered at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels) allows students to add a language qualification to their current degree. Regardless of which degree they are currently studying, the added benefit of a language program will open doors to exciting new opportunities and experiences.

As an undergraduate program, it is undertaken concurrently with your principal degree, commencing in the first or second year of study. This will add an extra six months or year to your studies.

If you have already completed a University degree then you can enrol in the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Language alongside your postgraduate course, or as a stand alone qualification.

Choosing from Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), or Indonesian, the courses cater to all levels of language experience - those with no previous experience in the language, those who are non-background speakers with post-year 12 qualification or equivalent, and those who are background speakers.

All students have the opportunity to go overseas on an In-Country language program and gain credit toward their qualification.

In 2008, as part of a collaborative effort with the University of South Australia, Italian will also be offered in the undergraduate Diploma of Language.

More information


Return to top

Graduate Certificate of Politics and Policy

Part time 1 year

Graduate Diploma of Politics and Policy

Full time 1 year or part-time equivalent

Master of Politics and Policy

Full time 1.5 years or part-time equivalent, Off-Campus study mode

The new Politics and Policy courses focus on the development and implementation of public policy. They explore the close relations between government, the private sector and community organisations, and the links between different levels of government (local, state, national and international).

The program has been designed in consultation with stakeholders in government, community and industry to promote collaborative learning and to develop an understanding of the global context for public policy.

Along with core subjects involving democratic governance and accountability, there is a wide range of elective units across four specialisations:

  • Public policy
  • Government relations
  • Community development
  • Local governance

Please note that this new course has only been provisionally approved, is currently only available to local students. Deakin University reserves the right to withdraw or alter it without notice.

More information


Return to top

Graduate Certificate of Planning

Part time 1 year or full-time equivalent

Graduate Diploma of Planning

Full time 1 year or part-time equivalent<

Master of Planning

Full time 1.5 years or part-time equivalent

Off-campus with optional on-campus study experience

Deakin’s new suite of Planning courses have been developed for graduates who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree, irrespective of their discipline base, and who wish to acquire or enhance a career path which involves designing, planning and managing sustainable social and urban change.

Existing planning professionals will benefit from the opportunity to gain specialist knowledge in a choice of one or more streams:

  • urban design
  • healthy cities
  • cultural heritage
  • public policy and governance
  • environmental management
  • or research

Unique to Deakin, students are able to participate in a sequence of collaborative studio-based research forums. Each forum allows students to act as practitioner-researchers and engage in professional networking and critical discourse, further assisting development of problem identification and solving skills through critical analysis and the generation of innovative design/policy strategies.

Deakin is the only university in Australia to offer this postgraduate entry to graduates of an unrelated discipline.

More information


Return to top

Bachelor of Criminology

This exciting new course draws from four of Deakin’s five faculties giving students a comprehensive exposure to the diversity of crime, security, policing and punishment.

Career opportunity examples: Job roles include criminology, policy development, intelligence, paralegal work, security services, sociology, and youth work within Australia or overseas. Graduates can look to work with state and federal police, government organisations and local councils.

The Bachelor of Criminology will be introduced to the Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds in Semester 1, 2007.

Course summary


Return to top

Graduate Certificate of International and Community Development

Due to popular demand and to allow prospective students greater accessibility to postgraduate studies, the Graduate Certificate of International and Community Development has been added to the popular suite of International and Community Development postgraduate courses.

On successful completion, students will be eligible to transfer to the Graduate Diploma or Master of International and Community Development coursework programs with full credit for the units completed.

More information


Return to top

Bachelor of Arts (Professional and Creative Writing)

The Bachelor of Arts (Professional & Creative Writing) is a unique course giving students sound professional training in writing as well as the opportunity to study subjects from the traditional Arts degree. This combination is intended to assist students in their development as writers.

The course includes units on writing for professional practice, editing, desktop publishing, creative non-fiction writing, fiction writing, script writing, poetry writing, and research. All writing and editing units emphasise publication or the achievement of professional standards.

Course summary


Return to top