Associate Degree of Creative WritingInformation for students commencing 2013

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About this Course

Immerse yourself in the world of words and become a confident and skilled creative writer. The Associate Degree of Creative Writing provides students with a broad range of skills spanning several writing genres. It enables students to focus on the practice and theory of writing, along with developing the attributes and skills needed for a professional career in writing.

The course offers a rich mix of creative writing and literary studies across a range of writing modes in fiction and non-fiction, including writing genre, life writing, writing for stage and screen, experimental writing, poetry and journalism.

After completion of the Associate Degree, students may choose to apply to study a further eight units to gain a Bachelor of Arts degree.

The University is the education partner of the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival and the Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA), and supports the Bellingen Writers’ Festival.

Career Opportunities

Typical career paths include being a writer of novels and scripts; a food, nature, art and travel writer; a feature journalist; a critic and reviewer; an essayist, poet or public intellectual; an editor and publisher; a writer in marketing and public relations, the public service and arts-related industries.

Professional Recognition

Graduates will be eligible for membership of the Australian Society of Authors, Australian Writers’ Guild, Australian Association of Writing Programs, Copyright Agency Limited, Sydney PEN, and state-based writers’ centres.

Major Areas of Study

The course covers studies in fiction and non-fiction, including:

Course Structure and Units (Subjects)

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

To qualify for the Associate Degree of Creative Writing a total of 192 credit points (usually 16 units) must be completed.

After completion of the Associate Degree, students may choose to study a further 8 units to gain a Bachelor of Arts degree.

The Associate Degree of Creative Writing offers an intermediate award (early exit point) at Certificate level.

Please note that some majors and units may not be available at each location. Unit availabilities are published for each study period and vary from year to year. Please contact the School for further information.

For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.

Course Summary

Locations
Distance Education Session 1
Session 2
Lismore Session 1
Session 2
Coffs Harbour Session 1
Session 2
Gold Coast
Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga
Unavailable
Course Duration

2 years full-time; 4 years part-time

May be completed in a shorter duration subject to unit availabilities.

Fees and Charges Domestic fees
International fees
Additional fee information
School School of Arts and Social Sciences
Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries scu.edu.au/enquiries
Further Information Domestic applicants: Ph: 1800 626 481
International applicants: Ph: +61 2 6620 3876; E: intoff@scu.edu.au
Total Units: Award Abbreviation: 2013 ATAR equivalent/OP:
16 AssocDegCreatWrite 63/16
UAC Course Code QTAC Course Code CRICOS Course Code
Coffs Harbour: 333353
Lismore: 333301
Coffs Harbour: 053351
Lismore: 053301
Coffs Harbour NSW: N/A
Lismore NSW: 040061M
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Teaching Methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Our distance education study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Learning Resources

MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and books of readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The SCU library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.

The Academic Skills Development team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, email, phone, and one-on-one support.

Assessment Methods

Assessment tasks may include creative writing assignments, theoretical essays, tutorial presentations and participation, and creative-research projects.

Equipment and Facilities

Southern Cross University provides students with modern well equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audiovisual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.

How to Apply

On-campus Undergraduate applications

To apply to study an undergraduate degree at a SCU campus, apply online through the NSW Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). For more information please visit either the UAC or QTAC websites: www.uac.edu.au or www.qtac.edu.au. A late fee applies for UAC and QTAC applications received after the 30th of September.

Apply with QTAC

Apply with UAC

Direct Applications

Apply Online

The following applications to study can be made online, directly to SCU:

Online applications for the Associate Degree of Creative Writing involve four key steps:

  1. Register your details to create an account or login to access your applications
  2. Select the exact course you want to apply for
  3. Answer the questions and submit documents
  4. Submit your application

Once registered you can exit and return to your application at any time.

International Applicants

Please refer to the International Office website.

International Applicants

Advanced Standing

At Southern Cross University, your previous study or work experience may help you cut time off your degree.

We recommend that you apply for advance standing at the same time as you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.

For more details and how to apply please visit the Advanced Standing website.

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Media
Bachelor of Social Science
Bachelor of Social Science, Bachelor of Laws

Specific Award Rules

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

4.1 Requirements for an Award
  1. To be eligible for the award of Associate Degree of Creative Writing a candidate shall succesfully complete not less than sixteen (16) units comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units; and
    2. eight (8) units from Part B of the Schedule; and
    3. three (3) units from Part C of the Schedule.
  2. A candidate who while enrolled in the Associate Degree of Creative Writing has completed of 8 units from either Part A or Part B of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules may elect to be awarded a Diploma of Creative Writing following withdrawal from candidature for the Associate Degree.
  3. A candidate who while enrolled in the Associate Degree of Creative Writing has completed 4 units from either Part A or Part B of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules may elect to be awarded a Certificate of Creative Writing following withdrawal from candidature for the Associate Degree.

Schedule of Units

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