James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2001

Doctorate Award Requirements Doctor of Philosophy Doctor of Education Doctor of Public Health Higher Doctorate

DOCTOROF PHILOSOPHY – DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

General

In these Requirements —

1.1  “Board of Postgraduate Studies Committee” (BPSC) means a group appointed to monitor the supervision of candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and to report to the Board of Postgraduate Studies (BPS).
1.2  “Register of Supervisors” means a list of academic and research staff of the University and persons who have been granted an honorary academic title by the University who are qualified to be appointed as supervisors of candidates undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

1.2.1  The BPSC on the recommendation of the Faculty shall approve academic and research staff of the University for inclusion in the Register.
1.2.2  Membership of the Register shall be reviewed from time to time by the BPSC on the basis of each member’s record of supervision.



1.3  “Supervisory Committee” means a group convened to support the supervisor and the head of the school in their supervision of a candidate. Members of the Supervisory Committee shall:

1.3.1  be staff of the University with research interests appropriate to, but not necessarily or specifically in, the candidate’s research area;
1.3.2  include the candidate’s supervisor(s) and head of the school;
1.3.3  include the Research Student Monitor nominated by the Director, Postgraduate Studies.



1.4  “Supervisor” means a person who shall normally: possess a research Doctorate degree and/or record of scholarly publication acceptable to the BPSC; have had previous experience in the supervision of research for higher research degrees; and be a member of the academic and research staff of the University or a person who has been granted an honorary academic title by the University.
1.5  “Associate Supervisor” means a person who meets the criteria for membership of the Register of Supervisors appointed by the BPSC on account of a special knowledge of the candidate’s approved program or in order to ensure effective supervision of the candidate during any periods spent by the candidate, with the BPSC’s approval, elsewhere than at the University. Associate Supervisors need not be members of the academic staff of the University.
1.6  “Research” means the process leading to the production of original scholarly or creative work to be presented for the purpose of obtaining the degree.
1.7  “Thesis” means a substantive description of the research undertaken for the purpose of obtaining the degree, together with any associated material that is also subject to examination.
1.8  “Adjudicator” means an additional examiner appointed to examine the thesis where consensus has not been reached between the original examiners. The adjudicator is normally an expert in the field external to the University.
1.9  “Registrar” means the Registrar of the University.

Qualifications for enrolment

A person may be permitted to enrol for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy if:

2.1  the person has qualified, at this or another University, for the award of a bachelor degree in an appropriate discipline with First Class or Second Class (Division A) Honours, provided that:

2.1.1  the other university is recognised as providing a bachelor honours degree of a standard at least equivalent to an Australian bachelor honours degree; or



2.2  the person has qualified, at this or another University, for the award of a Masters degree, provided that:

2.2.1  the other university is recognised as providing a Masters degree of a standard at least equivalent to an Australian Masters degree; and
2.2.2  in the opinion of the Head of the appropriate School, the applicant’s studies for such a degree included a research component of at least 50%. Applicants who do not meet this requirement should be enrolled under Requirement 2.5 and be reviewed at the end of the equivalent of twelve months of full-time candidature, subject to completion of a confirmation seminar; or be enrolled under Requirement 2.4;



2.3  the person holds, from an institution of tertiary education, qualifications which are deemed by the BPSC to be equivalent to those prescribed in Requirement 2.1 or Requirement 2.2; or
2.4  the person has been enrolled for not less than one year as a full-time candidate or two years as a part-time candidate for:

2.4.1  a Masters degree by research; or
2.4.2  a Masters degree which in the opinion of the Head of the appropriate School has included a substantial component of research; and the Head of the appropriate School certifies that the applicant’s work for the Masters degree is of a standard sufficient to justify candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and the BPSC, under Requirement 7, is satisfied that the candidate should be confirmed;



2.5  a person with a Masters degree, who does not qualify for admission under Requirement 2.2.2, may be enrolled provisionally for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, on the recommendation of the Head of School, based on relevant research experience, provided that such enrolment does not exceed the equivalent of twelve months of full-time candidature; whereupon, with evidence of satisfactory progress, the candidate may be admitted under Requirement 2.4.

Procedure for application for candidature

A person wishing to enrol for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy:

3.1  shall initially consult with the Head of the School in which the person intends to study and shall formulate a proposed generalised program of advanced study and research to be pursued; and
3.2  shall submit the prescribed application form together with the proposed study topic and generalised program of advanced study and research to the Registrar.

4.  Credit

A person admitted to candidature under Requirement 2.4 and who, in the opinion of the Head of the appropriate School, has performed work for the Masters degree relevant to the proposed Doctoral program, may be given credit for such work. In exceptional cases credit may be given to a candidate for relevant research work undertaken at another university. The amount of credit to be awarded shall be determined by the BPSC on the recommendation of the Supervisory Committee and shall not normally exceed one year of full-time or two years of part-time work.

Enrolment

5.1  On approval by the BPSC of a student’s application for candidature, the candidature shall be designated as full-time or part-time.
5.2  A candidate shall not enrol concurrently for any other degree or diploma at this or any other institution without the written permission of the BPSC. Concurrent enrolments will only be considered where the total enrolment does not exceed the equivalent of a full-time load.
5.3  A candidate shall submit to the Registrar:

5.3.1  at the commencement of candidature, an enrolment form;
5.3.2  at the commencement of each subsequent year of candidature, a re-enrolment form.

Supervision

6.1  The BPSC shall appoint for each candidate a supervisor from the Register of Supervisors.
6.2  The supervisor shall, in respect of the candidate under supervision:

6.2.1  fulfil the functions of a supervisor as described by the University in its guidelines for Doctoral studies;
6.2.2  ensure that the candidate complies with all regulations relating to the candidature; and
6.2.3  report as required to the BPSC through the Supervisory Committee on the candidate’s work.



6.3  The BPSC may, on the recommendation of the Supervisory Committee, appoint one or more associate supervisors ensuring that the persons so appointed meet the criteria specified in Requirement 1.5.
6.4  The BPSC may at any time, on the recommendation of the Supervisory Committee, approve a change of supervisor.

Confirmation of candidature

7.1  The candidate shall orally present a seminar on the PhD work; and submit a substantive piece (or pieces) of writing related to the project to the supervisor(s) and Head of School for approval:

7.1.1  within the first 6 - 12 months of enrolment for a full-time candidate; or
7.1.2  within 12 - 24 months of enrolment for a part-time candidate; and
7.1.3  the candidate’s supervisor(s), Head of the School and Research Student Monitor must attend the seminar and meet after the seminar to discuss the outcome.



7.2  The candidate shall present seven days before the seminar, to the Chair of the BPSC through the supervisor and Head of the School, a 2000 word project proposal including the aims, methodology, progress to date and any other academic and/or artistic issues arising from the program of work.
7.3  The seminar presentation and the written statement on the PhD work shall be reported upon as follows:

7.3.1  by the supervisor through the Head of the School to the BPSC; and
7.3.2  by the candidate’s Research Student Monitor.



7.4  Persons approved for absence from the University under Requirement 9.1.2 or Requirement 9.1.3 may apply to the BPSC through the Supervisory Committee for approval to complete the presentation by telecommunications.
7.5  Persons seeking candidature under Requirement 2.4 shall be required to present their seminar prescribed under Requirement 7.1 at the time of transfer from the Masters to the Doctoral program.
7.6  In considering the reports on the seminar presentation the BPSC may interview the candidate, and if appropriate, the supervisor(s), Head of the School and any other relevant person.
7.7  The BPSC may make suggestions to the candidate as to how the research might be improved. The supervisor through the Supervisory Committee shall be informed of such suggestions. The advice provided need not necessarily be accepted by the candidate.
7.8  The BPSC shall then approve one of the following:

7.8.1  confirmation of candidature;
7.8.2  confirmation of candidature together with additional specified work requirements;
7.8.3  reconsideration of candidature within six months of the initial presentation subject to work undertaken to the satisfaction of the BPSC;
7.8.4  candidature for Doctoral studies be replaced by candidature for Masters studies with the provision that the applicant may re-present the seminar within six months of the initial presentation; or
7.8.5  termination of candidature.



7.9  The decision of the BPSC on a recommendation from Requirement 7.8 shall be conveyed in writing to the candidate within 14 days of the date of the decision together with advice of the candidate’s right of appeal according to Requirement 15.

Duration of candidature

8.1  A full-time candidate shall pursue an approved program of study for a period normally of not less than two nor more than four years from the date of enrolment, provided that:

8.1.1  a full-time candidate shall normally be expected to complete their program of study within three years and shall be advised of the expected completion date at the end of the third year from the date of enrolment; and
8.1.2  the BPSC may in exceptional circumstances and, on the recommendation of the Supervisory Committee, extend or suspend the candidature for such reasons as it may deem appropriate.



8.2  A part-time candidate shall pursue an approved program of study for a period normally of not less than four nor more than eight years from the date of enrolment, provided that:

8.2.1  a part-time candidate shall normally be expected to complete their program of study within six years and shall be advised of the expected completion date at the end of the sixth year from the date of enrolment; and
8.2.2  the BPSC may in exceptional circumstances, and on the recommendation of the Supervisory Committee, extend or suspend candidature for such reasons as it may deem appropriate.



8.3  The total of approved extensions and suspensions during the period of candidature shall normally not exceed 12 months for full-time candidates or 24 months for part-time candidates. In exceptional circumstances, normally relating to the project, a second extension of up to the equivalent of 12 months full-time may be applied for.
8.4  The candidature of a person who has not completed the program within, in the case of a full-time student, five years from the date of enrolment and, in the case of a part-time student, ten years from the date of enrolment shall be thereby terminable and the BPSC shall approve one of the following:

8.4.1  candidature be approved to continue subject to submission of the thesis by a specified final date;
8.4.2  candidature be terminated.



8.5  The decision of the BPSC on the recommendation from Requirement 8.4 shall be conveyed in writing to the candidate within 14 days of the date of the decision together with advice of the candidate’s right of appeal according to Requirement 15.
8.6  The stipulated maximum periods of candidature shall normally only be extended beyond the above maximum periods when, after examination of the thesis and any other relevant work presented as part of the candidature, further work is determined to be required prior to re-submission or acceptance of such work, provided that:

8.6.1  minor amendments under Requirement 13.10.2 are made within three months of the date of dispatch of the advice to the candidate; and
8.6.2  major amendments under Requirement 13.10.3 are made within 12 months of the date of dispatch of the advice to the candidate.

Attendance at the University

9.1  A candidate shall pursue the approved program of study, provided that:

9.1.1  a candidate shall normally be required to be in attendance at the University for a period or periods normally totalling not less than three weeks per year, such times to be arranged with the supervisor in consultation with the Head of the appropriate School, and at such times as the supervisor and the Head of the School may specify;
9.1.2  the BPSC may, on the recommendation of the supervisor, through the Supervisory Committee, permit a candidate to undertake part of the program of study for a specified period of normally not more than 12 months (24 months for a part-time candidate) at another institution which grants academic degrees;
9.1.3  when a candidate’s residence is distant from the University, the BPSC may, on the recommendation of the supervisor, through the Supervisory Committee, approve a candidate’s exemption from attendance at the University; and
9.1.4  arrangements for candidature as provided for under Requirement 9.1.2 or Requirement 9.1.3 must include some form of regular face-to-face or telecommunications contact between the supervisor and the candidate.



9.2  Before granting approval for the undertaking of part of the program of study at another institution as specified by Requirement 9.1.2, or exemption from attendance as specified by Requirement 9.1.3, the BPSC must be satisfied that arrangements as set out in these regulations regarding supervision, coursework, participation in scholarly activities, facilities and training in research methods have been made for the candidate and that study accommodation, equipment and access to library and computing facilities, meet the needs of the approved course of study.
9.3  Continued enrolment shall be contingent upon the Head of the School’s certification on the candidate’s progress report forms that supervisory arrangements have been maintained.
9.4  Arrangements for candidature as provided for under Requirements 9.1.2 and 9.1.3 must receive the specific approval of the BPSC.

Progress Reports

10.1  A progress report must be submitted by a candidate annually. The report shall be on the prescribed form which shall be forwarded to the candidate by the Registrar.
10.2  The completed form shall bear the comments of the candidate, the supervisor(s) and the Head of the School.
10.3  In the event of an unsatisfactory progress report, the BPSC shall interview the candidate and the supervisor and recommend one of the following:

10.3.1  candidature be approved to continue;
10.3.2  reconsideration of candidature subject to work undertaken to the satisfaction of the Supervisory Committee and the BPSC;
10.3.3  candidature for Doctoral studies be replaced by candidature for Masters studies; or
10.3.4  termination of candidature.



10.4  The recommendation shall be conveyed in writing to the candidate within 14 days of the date of the decision together with advice of the candidate’s right of appeal according to Requirement 15.

Thesis

11.1  At the conclusion of the period of candidature, the candidate shall submit to the Registrar four temporarily bound copies of the thesis embodying the results of the advanced study and research.
11.2  The thesis shall be in a format as prescribed by the candidate’s school and as approved from time to time by the Board of Postgraduate Studies.
11.3  The thesis shall contain a clear and detailed indication of the sources from which the candidate has derived information and of the extent to which use has been made of the work of others.
11.4  The candidate may submit in support of the thesis any other relevant material, provided that no material submitted for another degree of this or another University may be so submitted except where the candidature has been governed by an approved co-tutelle agreement.
11.5  The degree shall not be conferred by the Council of the University until the candidate has lodged a final unbound copy of the thesis on acid-free paper for deposit in the Library.

Final Year Seminar Presentation

12.1  A candidate shall at a seminar present an overview and synthesis of major findings of the thesis in a public forum during the final year of candidature. The candidate’s supervisor, Head of the School and Research Student Monitor must attend the seminar and meet after the seminar to discuss the outcome.
12.2  The seminar presentation on the work shall be reported upon as follows:

12.2.1  by the supervisor through the Head of the School to the BPSC; and
12.2.2  by the candidate’s Research Student Monitor.



12.3  The BPSC shall then approve one of the following:

12.3.1  that the research is of a standard and extent appropriate for submission as a thesis; or
12.3.2  that further research work is required, in which case it shall recommend an extension of candidature, but shall not recommend any extension beyond the end of the fifth year from the date of enrolment for a full-time candidate or beyond the end of the tenth year from the date of enrolment for a part-time candidate.

Examination of thesis

13.1  The Head of the appropriate School shall advise the Registrar in writing of the anticipated date of submission of the candidate’s thesis three months before that date.

13.2  At the same time as advice is forwarded to the Registrar under the terms of Requirement 13.1, the Head of the School and the supervisor shall, in consultation with the candidate, develop a list of at least four potential examiners. The Head of the School shall nominate for the approval of the BPSC, a minimum of two external examiners and a maximum of three examiners from this list but the identity of the chosen examiners shall not be revealed to the candidate until the examiners’ reports are referred to him/her.

13.2.1  Where a candidature has been conducted under an approved co-tutelle agreement four examiners shall be appointed, two being on the recommendation of each participating institution.



13.3  On submission of the thesis:

13.3.1  the Head of the appropriate School shall certify that the thesis has been checked by the Head of the School and is in a format and of an editorial standard recognised by the School as appropriate; and
13.3.2  the Chair of the BPSC shall certify that the thesis format is approved by the University. A copy of the approved School format will be provided by the Registrar to the examiners, provided that:
13.3.3  at all times the candidate has the right to submit the thesis for examination without the approvals specified by Requirements 13.3.1 and 13.3.2.
13.3.4  Where a candidate has agreed to an oral examination as an integral part of a normal examination process, the Head of School shall advise the Registrar in writing of the names of the independent convenor and the chief examiner who have agreed to participate and the date of the oral examination, which should be scheduled for approximately seven weeks after the submission date.



13.4  The examiners shall be requested to examine the thesis and submit their reports within six weeks of the date of receipt of the thesis. Where examiners are unable to meet the original or a re-negotiated deadline, the Dean of the Board of Postgraduate Studies in consultation with the Head of School may appoint an alternative examiner.
13.5  From the time of submission of the thesis to the Registrar for examination or re-examination all communication between the candidate and the supervisor, the Head of the School, and the examiners regarding the examination of the thesis shall be conducted through the BPSC.

13.5.1  If one week before the scheduled oral in a normal examination process, the third examiner advises he/she is unable to submit a report in time, the Head of School may recommend that the examination proceed on the basis of the two reports already received, provided they are both from external examiners.



13.6  In the process of examination, the examiners may consult with one another but shall submit separate reports. If there is disagreement in the summary decision of the examiners, the Chair of the BPSC may consult the examiners to establish whether consensus can be reached. If so, the examiners shall forward this recommendation to the BPSC via the Registrar.
13.7  If no consensus can be reached, the Chair of the BPSC shall recommend to the BPSC, one of the following:

13.7.1  that the candidate be examined orally on the thesis; or
13.7.2  that the thesis be sent to an adjudicator who also shall be provided with a copy of each examiner’s report.



13.8  Any arrangements for an oral examination whether by telecommunications or by face-to-face interview shall be made by the Registrar after consultation with the candidate, and on the advice of the examiners, and the Chair of the BPSC.

13.8.1  Where a candidate has agreed to an oral examination as an integral part of a normal examination process, the Head of School shall arrange for the chief examiner and convenor to attend the interview on the scheduled date.



13.9  If, after any oral examination, the examiners still cannot arrive at consensus, then the Chair of the BPSC shall recommend to the BPSC that an adjudicator be appointed who shall be provided with the thesis and a copy of each examiner’s report.
13.10  After the reports of all examiners and any adjudicator have been considered, the BPSC shall:

13.10.1  recommend to Council the degree be awarded; or
13.10.2  recommend to Council the degree be awarded, subject to the completion of minor corrections in accordance with the requirements of Requirement 8.6.1. The Head of the appropriate School must advise the BPSC that the corrections have been made before the BPSC recommends that the degree be awarded; or
13.10.3  approve the degree be not awarded but the candidate be permitted to revise and re-submit the thesis in accordance with Requirement 8.6.2;
13.10.4  approve the degree be not awarded but that the candidate be awarded an appropriate Masters degree with or without additional work; or
13.10.5  approve the degree be not awarded.



13.11  The decision of the BPSC on a recommendation from Requirement 13.10 shall be conveyed in writing to the candidate within 14 days of the date of the decision together with advice of the candidate’s right of appeal according to Requirement 15.

Show Cause Procedure

14.1  The provisions of this Requirement apply where:

14.1.1  the BPSC has recommended termination of candidature pursuant to Requirement 7.8.5;
14.1.2  the BPSC has recommended termination of candidature pursuant to Requirement 8.4;
14.1.3  the BPSC has recommended termination of candidature pursuant to Requirement 10.3.4.



14.2  Before making any decision upon a recommendation of the kind referred to in Requirement 14.1 hereof the BPSC shall by written notice call upon the candidate to show cause in writing within the time specified in the notice why candidature should not be terminated.
14.3  The BPSC shall before making its decision consider the recommendation and any material submitted to it by the candidate.

Appeal

15.1  A candidate affected by a decision of the BPSC pursuant to Requirements 7.8, 8.4, 10.3 or 13.10 may appeal against the decision. Such appeal shall be instituted by a notice in writing setting out the grounds thereof and shall be submitted to the Registrar within 28 days of the notification to the candidate of the decision appealed from.
15.2  The Appeal shall be determined by an Appeal Panel of the BPSC.
15.3  The Appeal Panel shall consist of the Chair, Academic Board (or nominee) (Chair) and four members chosen by the Standing Committee of the Academic Board. Two members of the Appeal Panel shall be postgraduate students chosen in consultation with the President of the Postgraduate Students’ Association.
15.4  The Appeal Panel shall consider only:

15.4.1  the grounds of the request for the appeal;
15.4.2  any documents relevant to the decision against which the candidate has appealed;
15.4.3  such further material as the Appeal Panel may, in the exercise of its discretion, permit to be placed before it if it considers it necessary or desirable in the interests of justice to do so.



15.5  The candidate shall have the right to be heard in person or to make submissions in writing; and to be represented by the Student Association Academic Support Services Coordinator, the Student Association Welfare Coordinator, or another member of the University community, provided that any candidate to be so represented must notify the Registrar at least 48 hours prior to the time set for the appeal.
15.6  The Appeal Panel shall have the power to allow or dismiss an appeal against the decision; or vary the decision of the BPSC.
15.7  The Chair of the Appeal Panel shall notify the Registrar forthwith of its decision and reasons and the Registrar shall notify in writing the student within 14 days of the Appeal Panel’s decision.
15.8  The Appeal Panel’s decision shall be final.

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION – DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

1.  The degree of Doctor of Education may be undertaken in the School of Education.

2.  A person may enrol for the degree of Doctor of Education if that person has practised in education or a related field approved by the Head of School of Education for a minimum of three years and has:

2.1  a Bachelor degree in an appropriate discipline with First Class or Second Class Division A Honours approved by the Board of Postgraduate Studies on the advice of the Head of School; or
2.2  a research Masters degree in education or a related discipline approved by the Head of School of Education; or
2.3  a coursework Masters degree in education or a related discipline (comprising at least one-third research methodology and practice) approved by the Head of School of Education and in which a credit grade point average was obtained; or
2.4  such other qualifications and professional experience judged by the Head of School and the Director, Postgraduate Studies to provide a preparation for study equivalent to that provided above and appropriate to commencing study in the Doctor of Education Program.

3.  A candidate’s course of study shall be subject to approval by the Board of Postgraduate Studies, on the recommendation of the Head of School of Education, for each year of candidature.

4.  The period of candidature normally shall be a minimum of three years and a maximum of six years.

5.  Evaluation

A portfolio of work must be submitted for examination. The portfolio will include:

5.1  a dissertation of 50,000 words;
5.2  a 20,000 word collection of scholarly and research products from work completed in the structured research tasks of the program (or permitted under the rules for advanced standing);
5.3  an overview of 3,000-5,000 words which should describe the relationship of the work to the professional practice of the candidate and to the work of others. The overview will normally be a reflective piece based upon the proposal prepared for confirmation of candidature.

6.  Candidates are encouraged to publish work during candidature and published works may be included in the portfolio provided they or their substantive content have not been submitted for credit for another academic qualification.

7.  An original and three copies of the portfolio must be submitted to the Research Students Office for examination.

8.  The portfolio will be examined by three examiners, at least two of whom must be external to the University. One of the external examiners may be an appropriately qualified professional from the education field.

9.  The Board of Postgraduate Studies will appoint examiners on the advice of the Head of School of Education.

10.  Examiners’ reports and the recommendations that follow from them will be dealt with in the same way as other doctoral degrees, that is, through a recommendation from the Head of School of Education to the Board of Postgraduate Studies Committee.

11.  Examiners will be fully briefed on the nature of the Doctor of Education program and be made cognisant of the proportion of the program to be assessed through the material they examine.

12.  The Board of Postgraduate Studies, on the recommendation of the examiners may require the candidate to undertake a further written or oral examination on the topics covered in the portfolio.

13.  The Board of Postgraduate Studies, on consideration of the reports of the examiners, may recommend the award of the degree, the award of the degree subject to revision of components of the portfolio to the satisfaction of the Head of School of Education, not award the degree, appoint another examiner, invite the candidate to resubmit the portfolio for an appropriate Masters degree, or require the candidate to resubmit the portfolio or parts thereof either rewritten or containing further research material for re-examination for the degree of Doctor of Education.

14.  Successful candidates must be judged through examination to have made a significant contribution to knowledge and practice in their profession.

15.  If the degree is awarded, the original of the portfolio shall be kept in the University Library and at least one copy shall be kept in the School of Education.

16.  Credit for previous studies

Up to one year of advanced standing is permitted for previous work deemed to be at doctoral level by the Head of School of Education in consultation with the Director of Postgraduate Studies and any research or scholarly products from this work may be submitted as part of the portfolio up to a maximum of 10,000 words.

17.1  Supervision of candidates

A candidate enrolled for the Doctor of Education shall be assigned a supervisor who shall be a member of the staff of the University and on the Register of Supervisors of the University. At least one associate supervisor will be appointed because of his or her professional experience and special knowledge of the candidate’s intended program of study. Associate supervisors need to be staff members of this University, but should have appropriate expertise and professional experience. With the approval of the Postgraduate Studies Committee, an additional associate supervisor may be appointed to provide supervision if and when the candidate is at a distance from the University.

17.2  Supervisors and associate supervisors will work collaboratively with the academic teams responsible for each of the structured research tasks.

17.3  A candidate must maintain at least quarterly contact with the School as required by the candidate’s supervisor.

17.4  The supervisor will be required to report annually on the candidate’s work. If, in the opinion of the Head of School of Education, the candidate’s progress is unsatisfactory, the Head may recommend to the Board of Postgraduate Studies the termination of candidature or other action he or she deems necessary.

18.  Recommendation for the award of the degree

A candidate who has complied with the provisions of these regulations together with all other relevant Statutes and Requirements of the University shall be recommended to the Board of Postgraduate Studies for the award of the Doctor of Education.

DOCTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH – DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

1.  The degree of Doctor of Public Health may be undertaken in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

2.  A person may enrol for the degree of Doctor of Public Health if that person has practised in a relevant health-related area for a minimum of five years and:

2.1  has a bachelor degree in an appropriated discipline with First Class or Second Class Division A Honours, approved by the Board of Postgraduate Studies on the advice of the Head of School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine;
2.2  has qualified for the award of Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine or Master of Public Health at this or another University at a standard considered appropriate by the Head of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine; or
2.3  has qualified for a Masters degree of this or another University in a public health field at a standard and of a nature considered appropriate by the Head of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine; or
2.3  has other qualifications and experience considered equivalent by the Head of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

3.  A candidate’s course of study shall be subject to approval by the Board of Postgraduate Studies upon the recommendation of the Head of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, for each year of candidature.

4.  The period of candidature shall be a minimum of six and a maximum of ten semesters full-time equivalent study, except where approved by the Board of Postgraduate Studies, upon the recommendation of the Head of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Evaluation

Coursework component

5.1  A candidate shall complete 24, 36 or 48 units of coursework, from approved subjects listed in the Handbook of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, of which at least 24 units should be completed in the core areas of public health specialisation, from the approved list given in the Handbook of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

5.2  A candidate may include up to a maximum of 12 units of Masters level coursework provided that these units have not also been credited towards another award, as approved by the Head of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Research component

5.3  A candidate shall complete 24, 36 or 48 units for a research and/or development project culminating in a thesis.

Assessment and Evaluation procedures

5.4  Assessment procedures will include a thesis and may include any of the following: dissertation, assignments, research project and report papers, publications, viva voce examinations, written examinations, tutorial, seminar and conference presentations, project and placement reports, exegesis, and assessment of clinical work.

5.5  A thesis may not be submitted by a candidate earlier than three semesters or later than ten semesters from the date of initial enrolment, provided that in special circumstances, the Board of Postgraduate Studies may on the recommendation of the Head of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine grant an extension or a variation to this requirement, provided that the candidate has passed all the required coursework.

5.6  The original and two copies of the thesis shall be submitted to the Research Student’s Office.

5.7  Published contributions may be submitted to support or to form part or all of the thesis, provided that they have not been submitted to support or form part of all of the thesis for another academic qualification.

5.8  The Board of Postgraduate Studies, on advice from the Head of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, shall appoint three examiners of whom at least two shall be external to the University.

5.9  The Board of Postgraduate Studies, on the recommendation of the Examiners, may require the candidate to undertake a written or oral examination or both on the topic of the thesis.

5.10  The Board of Postgraduate Studies, on considering the reports of the examiners, may recommend the award of the degree; the award of the degree subject to revision of the thesis to the satisfaction of the Head of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine; not award the degree; appoint another examiner; invite the candidate to resubmit the thesis for an appropriate Masters degree, or require the candidate to resubmit the thesis either rewritten or containing further research material for the degree of Doctor of Public Health.

5.11  If the degree is awarded, the original of the thesis shall be kept in the University Library and at least one copy of the thesis and supporting material shall be kept at the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

6.  Credit for previous studies

A candidate who has satisfactorily completed coursework at this or another University or completed research and development work which is deemed by the Board of Postgraduate Studies, on the advice of the Head of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, to be equivalent to a subject prescribed for this degree may be granted credit for prior learning by the Board of Postgraduate Studies, subject only to the requirement that a candidate must complete at least 50% of the study and/or work for the Doctor of Public Health while enrolled in the degree at this University and has not been counted as part of another award.

7.1  Supervision of candidates

A candidate enrolled for the thesis shall be assigned a supervisor who shall be a member of the academic staff of the University and on the Register of Supervisors of the University. At least one Associate Supervisor will be appointed on account of their professional experience, expertise and their special knowledge of the candidate’s approved program of study. Associate Supervisors need not be staff members of this University but should have appropriate professional experience and expertise.

7.2  With the approval of the Board of Postgraduate Studies on the recommendation of the Head of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, another associate supervisor may be appointed with appropriate professional experience and expertise to ensure effective supervision of the candidate during any periods spent elsewhere than at the University.

7.3  A candidate must maintain at least quarterly contact with the School as required by the candidate’s supervisor.

7.4  The supervisor will be required to report annually on the candidate’s work. If, in the opinion of the Head of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, the candidate’s progress is unsatisfactory, the Head may recommend to the Board of Postgraduate Studies termination or other action as the Head deems necessary.

8.  A candidate who has complied with the provisions of these Requirement together with all other relevant Statutes and Requirements of the Unviersity shall be recommended to the Board of Postgraduate Studies for the award of the Doctor of Public Health.

HIGHER DOCTORATE DEGREES — REQUIREMENTS

1.  The higher doctorate degrees listed in the Schedule below may be awarded for original work of distinction which constitutes a substantial contribution to the knowledge and understanding of any branch or branches of learning with which the corresponding Faculty is concerned.

2.  A candidate for these degrees shall be:

1. a graduate of the corresponding bachelor degree in the Schedule below of not less than seven years’ standing; or
2. a graduate of another university, whose qualifications are deemed to be equivalent to those in Requirement 2(a) and who satisfies the Faculty that he or she is justified in seeking the degree from this University rather than from another university. Such graduates will be expected to have had at least two years’ active involvement with scholarly research within this University; or
3. in the case of a Doctor of Engineering or Doctor of Science, a graduate of another faculty of this University, admitted ad eundem statum for the purpose of becoming a candidate for the degree.

3.  Application for candidature shall normally be made in writing to the Registrar for transmission to the Faculty and shall include three (3) copies of the work which it is proposed to submit for examination, together with statements of:

1. the academic qualifications of the applicant;
2. the extent to which the applicant was responsible for the initiation, conduct and direction of any such conjoint research as resulted in a portion or the whole of the work submitted;
3. which portions, if any, of the work submitted have been used by the applicant to obtain a higher degree of any university.

4.  The Faculty, on the advice of a sub-committee of the Faculty which shall include the Head of the School to which the candidate’s research is most closely linked, shall determine whether the applicant shall be allowed to proceed to candidature. The applicant shall be informed of the decision of the Faculty at this stage.

5.  The work submitted by the candidate shall be examined by three examiners, at least two of whom shall be from outside this University.

6.  The Faculty shall appoint a sub-committee to consider the examiners’ reports and to make recommendations concerning the award of the degree.

7.  A candidate who has complied with the provisions of these Requirements and all other relevant Statutes and Requirements shall be recommended for the award of the appropriate higher doctorate degree.

Schedule