Postgraduate - CourseMaster of Arts

Candidature in a master's degree involves the independent investigation of a research problem that has been formulated by the candidate. It is expected that the research undertaken will make a contribution to the discipline in which the candidate is enrolled by applying, clarifying, critiquing or interpreting that knowledge. Candidates are supported by a minimum of two supervisors throughout their candidature.

Successful completion of the program will signify that the holder has completed a course of postgraduate training in research under proper academic supervision and has submitted a thesis that the examiners have declared to be a significant contribution to knowledge and which demonstrates the candidate's capacity to carry out independent research.

Candidature rules

For all candidature rules and other important information for Master's candidates refer to the Handbook for Research Master's DegreesHandbook for Research Master's Degrees (http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/research-degrees/handbook/masters/).

This course consists of a research and thesis component.

Candidates must, in consultation with and under the direct supervision of a member/s of the academic staff:

(a.) carry out a program of research on an agreed topic approved by the school of enrolment in the candidate's chosen discipline for a specified period, including attending and/or presenting at seminars and other related activities as indicated by the relevant department/school

(b.) submit for assessment a thesis of not more than 40,000 words on the program of research which meets the requirements of the examiners. Submission of the thesis based on or partially based on conjointly published or unpublished work may be permitted.

In certain disciplines in the faculty, creative work or performance or a written critical commentary may also form part of the thesis assessment. In such cases, students are permitted to submit a thesis that varies from the standard masters thesis where the variations are academically appropriate and suitable to the discipline.

Variations for the following disciplines include:

• Creative writing - a piece of creative writing of not more than 25,000 words with an accompanying exegesis of not more than 15,000 words
• Theatre performance - a performance project of a minimum of 60 minutes with an accompanying exegesis of not more than 15,000 words
• Music performance or orchestral music - a minimum 60 minute solo or solo and ensemble recital with an accompanying 1500 word recital annotation booklet for the performance and an exegesis of not more than 9000 words
• Music composition - a folio of music compositions with a playing time of a minimum of 45 minutes with an accompanying exegesis of not more than 15,000 words.

Research topics are available in most of the faculty's areas of research strength, depending on supervision and resource availability. For more detail refer to the faculty's postgraduate areas of studyareas of study (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/aos/index-byfaculty-arts.html) in the Handbook or visit the Arts ResearchArts Research (http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/research/) website.

Master of Arts