James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2003

FRAMEWORK FOR POSTGRADUATE COURSES

Categories of graduate level courses

Graduate level coursework qualifications are offered in the following categories:

• Coursework offerings – Graduate Certificate – Graduate Diploma – Postgraduate Certificate – Postgraduate Diploma – Masters degree by coursework – Professional Doctorate (coursework component ›33.3%)

• Research offerings – Masters degree by research (coursework component ‹33.3%) – Professional Doctorate (coursework component ‹ 33.3%) – PhD (coursework component ‹33.3%) – Higher doctorate

Objectives

• Graduate Certificate
  To provide graduates in one discipline with the opportunity to undertake the equivalent of one semester of advanced undergraduate and/or postgraduate coursework, generally in another discipline.

• Graduate Diploma
  To provide graduates in one discipline with the opportunity to undertake the equivalent of two semesters of advanced undergraduate and/or postgraduate coursework, generally in another discipline. The student may have the option of undertaking a small project (8 units).

• Postgraduate Certificate
  To provide graduates with the opportunity to undertake the equivalent of one semester of postgraduate or vocationally oriented coursework in the appropriate discipline.

• Postgraduate Diploma
  To provide graduates with the opportunity to undertake the equivalent of two semesters of coursework in the appropriate discipline, the majority of which will be at postgraduate level or vocationally oriented. The student may have the option of undertaking a small project (8 units).

• Masters by Coursework
  To provide graduates with the opportunity to undertake the equivalent of postgraduate or vocationally oriented coursework plus some opportunities for research or creative work if required. On completion of the masters degree the student should be in possession of a body of skills and knowledge clearly at advanced level. If the course builds directly on an appropriate undergraduate degree of at least three years which is required for entry, or on another entry qualification equivalent to at least three years of undergraduate and postgraduate study, the student may be given up to one semester’s credit (12 units) for prior learning if the faculty’s processes give approval. The basis for such recognition may include five years of professional experience based on a formal submission. That credit must not be applied to core elements of the program.
  On occasion, it may be appropriate for graduates to enrol in a joint degree program eg MBA with a masters from another discipline. Applicants will need to satisfy entry requirements for both courses and to complete a minimum of 48 units as specified by the faculty/s, normally within two years of full-time study (four years part-time). A candidate who proposes to convert to a single degree during their course of study will be required to complete the requirements of the degree in which they subsequently enrol.

• Masters by Research
  To provide graduates with some research experience with the equivalent of at least two semesters of research training leading to a thesis which is externally examined.

• PhD
  To train graduates who can demonstrate evidence of successful research to become professional researchers and scholars over a period of three years..

• Professional Doctorates
  To provide advanced studies and research training relevant to professional practice. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of appropriate prior qualifications, research experience and professional practice.

Number of units for coursework offerings

Information regarding the number of units required for each category of coursework is to be found in the section Postgraduate Award Requirements.

All masters by research, PhD and professional doctoral (by research) students shall be admitted as provisional enrolments until they have successfully completed their confirmation of candidature.

Level of Subject Offerings

• Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma – advanced level subjects (i.e. mainly postgraduate subjects and/or advanced undergraduate subjects (with assessment requirements modified for postgraduate students));
• Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma – advanced level subjects, i.e. mainly postgraduate and/or vocationally oriented subjects with the option of a minority of advanced undergraduate subjects (with assessment requirements modified for postgraduate students);
• Masters by coursework – predominantly postgraduate subjects;
• Professional doctorate – predominantly doctoral level subjects with capacity for minority of Masters’ level subjects.
  All these subjects should be at an advanced level with the majority of coursework subjects unequivocally at doctoral level and of appropriate breadth and depth in areas related to professional practice. While this does not preclude schools from designing doctoral level subjects through appropriate extension of Masters level subjects, such subjects must not be re-badged undergraduate subjects. Students when enrolling should normally have as a prerequisite, a major in the discipline of the professional doctorate.

Transfer between categories of postgraduate coursework

Students who undertake a diploma course after completing an appropriate certificate course may surrender their certificate and have the units credited to the diploma, subject to the approval of the relevant Executive Dean.

Students who undertake a coursework Masters degree after completing an appropriate certificate or diploma course may surrender their certificate or diploma and have the units credited to the degree, subject to the approval of the relevant Executive Dean.

Number of coursework units allowed in each category of research degree

Information regarding the number of coursework units allowed to be taken by students enrolled in each category of research degree is to be found in the section Postgraduate Award Requirements.

Admission requirements

Reporting Requirements

Reporting requirements for coursework offering shall be determined by the relevant faculty.

Masters by research and PhD students shall be required to complete the following:

• Masters by Research – Confirmation of candidature seminar to be completed normally within the first four months of commencement of candidature for full-time students; – Exit seminars before thesis submission; and – 12 month progress reports to the Graduate Research School.
• PhD – Confirmation of candidature to be completed normally within the first six months of commencement for full-time students (seminar, proposal, substantial writing as specified by the School); – Exit seminars before thesis submission; and – 12 month progress reports to the Graduate Research School.
• Professional Doctorates (›67% Research) – Confirmation of candidature within the first six months of commencement for full-time students (seminar, proposal, substantial writing as specified by the School); – Exit seminars before thesis submission; and – 12 month progress reports to the Graduate Research School.

Thesis examination

Examination procedures for coursework offerings, including dissertations, shall be determined by the Academic Board and administered by the relevant faculty.

The examination of all Masters degree by research, PhD degrees and professional doctorates shall be administered through the Graduate Research School under the following procedures:

• Masters – three copies submitted, two examiners, at least one external;
• PhD – four copies submitted, at least two external examiners, no more than three examiners.
• Professional doctorate – as for PhD

Award of degree with honours or distinction

The option of awarding the following shall be at the discretion of the Academic Board:

• a coursework certificate, diploma or Masters degree with distinction;
• a Masters degree by research with honours.

1.  “Cum Laude” – thesis awarded Cum Laude (with Distinction)

A masters thesis will normally be considered “Cum Laude” (equivalent to Honours I) on the recommendation of both examiners and after consideration of both examiners’ reports by the Board of Postgraduate Studies Committee in consultation with the Head of School.

2.  A PhD thesis will normally be passed “Cum Laude” (with distinction) only on the recommendation of two external examiners and after consideration of all examiners’ reports by the Board of Postgraduate Studies Committee.

Transfer from a research degree to a coursework degree and vice versa

Students who are enrolled in a research degree and who wish to transfer to a postgraduate coursework diploma or degree should expect to pay fees from the date of transfer. Students who wish to transfer from a graduate coursework program to a research degree shall be subject to the quota restrictions for research students at this University.