New era for screen and media education: ECU launches WA Screen and Media Academy
Building on the successes of ECU's Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting and the WA Screen Academy's Master of Screen Studies the new WA Screen and Media Academy will encompass all screen and media education and research under one name.
First published by Edith Cowan University
Edith Cowan University's (ECU's) Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting has developed a reputation for producing high-quality graduates who are employed across radio, television, and a myriad of roles in media companies around the world.
Similarly, ECU's WA Screen Academy has developed a strong industry profile for the professional quality of its graduates from the Master of Screen Studies and their substantial role in the screen production industry.
From 1 January 2025 ECU's School of Arts and Humanities will build on these successes to encompass all screen and media education and research under one name: WA Screen and Media Academy.
School of Arts and Humanities Executive Dean Professor Matthew Allen said the new direction recognises the convergence of screen and media production and the changing career pathways for ECU's graduates.
"Bringing these programs together strengthens ECU’s capacity in screen and media production by encouraging collaboration and codesign," he said.
"This expanded academy also reflects ECU's commitment to staying at the forefront of professional partnerships in WA."
Scope of the WA Screen and Media Academy
The new academy will include all ECU courses, research programs and partnerships in ECU's media and screen production disciplines.
The courses are designed to attract students with a range of skill levels and interests in screen and media, from entry level to leadership.
The courses available in 2025 in the new WA Screen and Media Academy are:
- Bachelor of Journalism and Broadcast Media
- Bachelor of Screen Production
- Graduate Certificate in News and Entertainment Media
- Graduate Certificate in Screen Creative Technologies
- Graduate Certificate in Scripted Screen Production
- Graduate Diploma in News and Entertainment Media
- Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting
- Graduate Diploma in Screen Production
- Graduate Certificate in Screen Production
- Master of News and Entertainment Media
- Graduate Certificate in Media Strategy and Leadership
- Master of Screen Production
WA Screen and Media Academy courses are led by Andrea Burns (Postgraduate News and Entertainment Media), Dr Steinar Ellingsen (Bachelor of Journalism and Broadcast Media), Associate Professor Cathy Henkel (Postgraduate Screen Production) and Dr Catherine Gough-Brady (Bachelor of Screen Production).
Aims for the WA Screen and Media Academy
Associate Dean (Creative Humanities) Professor Katya Johanson said the WA Screen and Media Academy will play an important role in the cultural life of ECU's City campus, which opens in semester one, 2026.
"Our staff will continue to build exceptional courses, producing graduates ready and able to contribute to the success of the screen and media industries," she said.
"And we will continue our partnerships with screen and media organisations, as well as working alongside other ECU Schools including WAAPA.
"We are excited to see the flourishing opportunities that the new WA Screen and Media Academy will generate."
To find out more about the courses available at ECU's WA Screen and Media Academy visit the website.
