Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Course

This course provides an innovative and industry-focused graduate program, with a strong emphasis upon personal development, corporate governance and social responsibility. It will suit a wide range of prospective students including candidates without prior studies in business seeking foundation business skills, as well as mid-career professionals seeking to update their knowledge in traditional business disciplines or to extend their skills. The program also offers the option of completing a specialisation in vital areas of business practice such as advanced marketing, business regulation, corporate governance, information technology, marketing, risk management, supply chain, sustainability, taxation law and workplace law. Students can expect to graduate from this program with a distinctive set of personal and technical skills which will enable them to assist businesses confront the increasing social and environmental constraints ahead. It can also provide a research pathway for students interested in higher degrees by research.

The Master of Business aims to produce graduates who will:

(a.) be critical and creative scholars who:

• produce innovative solutions to problems
• apply research skills to business challenges
• communicate effectively and perceptively

(b.) be responsible and effective global citizens who:

• engage in an internationalised world
• exhibit cross cultural competence
• demonstrate ethical values

(c.) have a comprehensive understanding of contemporary business issues and be able to provide balanced solutions relevant to the business, professional and public policy communities we serve

(d.) have advanced knowledge to masters level of the social context of business activities.

Students may be eligible for credit for a maximum of six units if previous study is considered to be equivalent to particular units in this course.

All credit is restricted to study undertaken in the last five years and must be approved by the course director.

36 credit points

An optional research pathway is available.

The course structure has three main components:

• a set of core units which provide a foundation in the key areas of personal development and corporate social responsibility
• a set of core business units
• six open electives which may used to complete a specified specialisation, other business studies, or a research component.

The degree requires completion of 12 units (72 points) as follows:

(a.) Three units (18 points) in personal development and corporate social responsibility as follows:

(i.) one of the following units (6 points):

• GSB9001 Personal development - critical thinking and communication
• GSB9002 Personal development - managing self and relationships

(ii.) one of the following units (6 points):

• MGX5020 Business ethics in a global environment
• MGX5030 Corporate social responsibility

(iii.) one further unit (6 points) from either (i) or (ii) above

(b.) at least three core business units (18 points) from the following list:

• AFF9020 Introduction to risk principles
• AFF9250 Financial management theory
• BTX5541 Advanced corporations law
• BTX9020 Business law
• ECF9530 Economics
• ETF9121 Data analysis in business
• ETX9000 Business and economic statistics
• FIT5157 Services science
• FIT9006 Information technology management
• GSB9004 Accounting for business
• MGX5000 Introductory management research methods
• MGX5870 Organisational and business dynamics
• MGX9600 Managing people and organisations
• MGX9720 Managing organisational change
• MKF5403 Advanced business research methods*
• MKF5463 Advanced buyer behaviour*
• MKX5123 Marketing innovation and planning
• MKX5461 Contemporary issues in marketing*
• MKX5641 Advanced marketing communication*
• MKX9550 Marketing and the international consumer**
• MKX9610 Supply chain logistics

* These units are only available to students who have completed the specified unit prerequisite or can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the course director, the completion of an undergraduate major in marketing.

** This unit should not be taken by students intending to complete the advanced marketing specialisation and cannot be counted towards the completion of this specialisation.

Not all units are available every year and a list of available units will be provided at the start of each year.

(c.) a further six graduate units (36 points) subject to course coordinator approval and the following conditions:

• a maximum of two units (12 points) may be taken from areas of study offered by another faculty
• elective units may be used to complete a specified major (36 points) from the majors listed under 'Areas of study'.
• may include the research pathway listed below.

Additional degree requirements:

• students must study a minimum of four 5000-level units.

It is recommended that students consult with the course coordinator to ensure their elective units from sections (b.) and (c.) form a coherent study program.

Research pathway

Students interested in using the Master of Business to progress to a higher degree by research may seek approval from the program director to take a sequence of research based units totalling at least 24 points. To qualify for this option students must have:

• completed a minimum of 24 points of coursework study and achieved an average mark of at least 70 per cent
• developed a suitable research topic
• arranged an academic supervisor for the proposed research topic.

Note that the research pathway units must be completed over three consecutive semesters, so careful planning of course progression is required.

Areas of Study

• Advanced marketing
• Business regulation (MBus)
• Corporate law and Corporate governance
• Information technology
• Marketing (MBus)
• Risk management
• Supply chain
• Sustainability
• Taxation law (MBus)
• Workplace law (MBus)

This degree may serve as a pathway to a higher degree by research. Students considering a research degree are advised to consult a course coordinator prior to making an application.

Students wishing to exit the Master of Business early may apply to graduate with one of the following, provided they have satisfied the requirements for that award:

• Graduate Certificate in Business after successful completion of 24 points of study
• Graduate Diploma in Business after successful completion of 48 points of study.

Master of Business (Marketing)

Master of Business

Master of Business (Sustainability)

Master of Business (Supply Chain)

Master of Business (Advanced Marketing)

Master of Business (Business Regulation)

Master of Business (Risk Management)

Master of Business (Taxation Law)

Master of Business (Workplace Law)

Master of Business (Information Technology)

Master of Business (Corporate Law)

Where more than one award is listed, or in the case of double degrees, where more than one award is listed for one or both components of the double degree, the actual award(s) conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved (eg in the case of 'with honours' programs), or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.