Investigative and Long Form Journalism
UndergraduateUSA-COMM30912025
Course information for 2025 intake
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 14 Sept 2025
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 10 weeks
- Start dates
- 22 Sept 2025
- Price from
- $2,300
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Investigative and Long Form Journalism
About this subject
By the end of this 10-week course, you’ll be able to:
- Explain the history, traditions and contemporary nature of investigative, in-depth and social justice journalism, as the context for their own journalism.
- Apply advanced journalism research techniques and skills, including data research and analysis and investigative interviewing.
- Apply relevant data research to the resulting interpretation and visualisation required.
- Plan, create, write and produce an investigative/in-depth work of social justice journalism in the form of a feature story and podcast.
- Critically interpret, analyse and report empirical evidence.
- Identify and practice in accordance with the ethical and legal obligations associated with professional journalism.
- TBA
Elevate your journalistic skills with our advanced course in investigative reporting and feature writing, focused on social justice and in-depth storytelling.
Expand your understanding of investigative journalism as you delve into the history, traditions, and contemporary practices of public interest reporting. Learn to uncover concealed or unknown information and develop advanced skills in producing in-depth feature stories and podcasts across platforms.
This course takes you beyond traditional journalism, guiding you through the creation of comprehensive feature stories and engaging podcasts on pressing social justice topics. Explore diverse perspectives, integrate various voices, and delve deeply into evidence and data to enrich your narratives.
UniSA Online’s 10-week short courses give you the flexibility to upskill in a certain area, stay current with developments in your field, diversify your knowledge, or even explore a new direction in your career – without having to commit to the time and cost of a full university degree.
This is a third-year course from UniSA Online’s Journalism degree. When studying this course as a "single subject", prior knowledge from COMM 1074, COMM 2104, COMM 2091, COMM 2105, COMM 1088 or equivalent will support your success.
Delivered 100% online, you’ll be able to study where and when it suits you. Access online academic and student support seven days a week, fit study around work and life commitments, view learning resources 24/7, and log in to the interactive online environment anywhere, any time and on any device.
Should your course have an exam it will be scheduled for Australian Central Standard Time or Australian Central Daylight Time, depending on the time of the year.
- Multiple (Media Task, Presentation) (60%)
- Multiple (Project, Reflection) (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Students must be aged 17 or older by the time teaching commences for their course of study, in accordance with UniSA’s Selection and entry to programs policy.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
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How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
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