| AQF Level |
Level 8 Graduate Certificate |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
The Graduate Certificate of Editing and Electronic Publishing is a course designed for practising editors who are looking to consolidate and expand their skill set into new areas of publishing, or for students entering the award with more limited editing experience wanting to gain a qualification that will aid their employment prospects in the industry. It provides the academic tools to make informed decisions about preparing a text for publication, using linguistic knowledge including grammar, cohesion and regional variation. The course also allows students to keep abreast with the rapid developments in technologies and techniques within editing and publishing. Its content equips graduates to work with authors for effective communication with their audiences, and to fulfil the role of editorial project manager. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this course, students will have developed a matrix of knowledge and skills in professional editing, as well as intellectual resources that can be applied in any of the diverse contexts of editing for print and electronic outputs. These include the ability to:
1. refer to appropriate reference standards on general and specialized editing (K, T)
2. apply knowledge of and embrace intercultural and international issues in the publishing context (K, T, E, J)
3. identify and address ethical issues in editing (E, J, P, T)
4. adapt the form and content of a manuscript to suit the medium and mode of delivery, on paper or onscreen (K, P, C, J)
5. adapt the form and content of a manuscript to suit the purpose (K, C, T, P, J)
6. communicate their professional decisions surrounding editorial comment and corrections, negotiating such corrections with authors and other stakeholders, and suggesting alternatives appropriate for both author and audience (K, C, J, P)
7. demonstrate both autonomy and the ability to team work by seeking researched input to editorial decision-making (T, P, J). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
Throughout this program you will be encouraged to develop your writing, editing, communication and project management skills through a range of independent and collaborative online activities. Tools for individual learning include the short audio lectures that introduce each week's topic, along with lecture notes and supporting readings, both in print and online. In addition, you are encouraged to apply the skills and concepts taught through regular, self-assessed, quizzes and exercises. Your research and writing skills are developed through extended essays.
The ability to work as part of a team is an essential quality for a professional editor. The regular online forums allow you to participate in interactive explorations of a range of editorial issues, and you will have projects where you have to collaborate with other students across diverse roles.
Through this program you will be given exposure to the professional standards for editing practice, and learn the skills that will give you a solid basis for undertaking the accreditation exam offered by the the Australian Institute of Professional Editors (IPED). You will have the opportunity to interact with your local Society for Editors, as well as becoming part of a network of current and previous students with similar professional and academic aims. High-achieving students will also be able to submit their work for the IPED prize, which is well-regarded by the publishing industry, and has been won in the past by students of this program. |
| Assessment |
Assessment is made exclusively on the submission of individual and group coursework - there are no examinations in this program. The coursework is based upon the central topics for each unit, and consists of practical exercises, group discussions and extended essays/projects that bring together the skills and knowledge acquired through the course of study.
The practical skills needed by an editor are assessed in exercises on punctuation, proofreading and webpage design, with an emphasis placed on awareness of the needs of the audience, across diverse cultures, interests and varieties of English. Your ability to express, organise, and support an argument will be assessed in essay tasks.
Assessable discussions are an important feature throughout the program. They allow you to develop creative solutions to complex problems in an interactive environment, by sharing constructive feedback with your fellow students. They also encourage accuracy and concision in expression and analysis. You will have at least one assessment task that will involve project management as part of a team, developing the essential skills of communication and cooperation. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Opportunities for editing work are diverse, and this award prepares graduates for careers as freelance or in-house editors. Whether working in commercial publishing (books/e-books or magazines), business or government, successful applicants for work in this field will find themselves part of the expanding network of professional editors and others responsible for print and online publications, as well as the development of website content. Editorial work can also be found in publicity and promotions for community groups. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
|
