For that reason, the program endeavours to use the latest versions of industry-standard software and equipment and, in many cases, conduct training courses for media professionals in how to adapt to new technologies. Bond's Journalism education continually looking forward to how things will be done, not looking backward to how they used to be done. Streamlined semesters Bond University's three-semester academic year, starting in January, May and September each year, allows students a range of study options. Some choose to accelerate their program and finish a full undergraduate degree in as little as two years. Others prefer to use the time to their advantage by taking a semester off to work or travel or by taking a lighter subject load to put more work into their subjects and improve their grade point averages.
Students can start their studies in any semester.
The program allows students to specialise in particular areas of reporting through their assignments and special subjects. For example, a student keen on becoming a sports reporter is allowed to focus on sports topics in many of the subject-based assignments. They can extend this specialisation with individually supervised elective subjects requiring them to prepare a portfolio of sports stories for either broadcast or print publication, along with a diary explaining how their reporting has been informed by their discussions with their supervisor, their reading, and their interviews with experienced sports reporters. It also allows students to build Journalism into numerous degree programs, giving them a unique profile suited to their own experience and aspirations. This is achievable because Bond University is a relatively small institution which encourages inter-disciplinary study.