The faculty has identified the following areas of conspicuous strength and potential: applied social research, Australian studies, contemporary Asian studies, critical and cultural studies, European studies, environment and ecology, language and society, women's studies. This identification of faculty priorities led to the development of new interdepartmental and interfaculty courses and programs.
Students are advised that, while the faculty will endeavour to give every possible assistance and advice concerning course and subject choice, the onus is on the students to ensure that subjects selected meet the course and requirements. This is not the faculty's responsibility and the faculty does not take responsibility for error in subject selection.
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is undertaken by thesis, and students may enrol as full-time or part-time candidates. At present the maximum period of candidature is five years full-time or up to a maximum of eight years of part-time study.
Candidates qualified for either a bachelors degree with honours class I or honours class II division A, a masters qualifying with a research component with a grade of H2A or above or the equivalent, or a masters degree (H2A equivalent) are eligible for admission. In addition, the PhD regulations make provision for research masters degree candidates to transfer their candidature after a period of satisfactory performance.
Students with an honours HI degree or the equivalent may apply for a scholarship.
All matters concerning the degree of PhD are handled by the PhD and Scholarships Committee of the Academic Board. The Faculty of Arts Committee for Graduate Studies transmits all recommendations regarding the PhD candidature of arts students to this committee.
Additional information about the Doctor of Philosophy is available from the PhD and EdD information handbook, and in condensed form, below.
The research degree of Master of Arts may be undertaken by thesis or by thesis and coursework. There is also a Master of Arts undertaken entirely by coursework. However, all departments/centres do not necessarily offer the three options. The Faculty of Arts guidelines for the normal length of theses are as follows:
Prior to 1995 some programs offered a minor thesis of 18,000 to 25,000 words. Students who started prior to 1995 are encouraged - after consultation with their department or centre - to undertake a 66 per cent or 75 per cent thesis if available in their program, but have the option of undertaking a minor thesis.
The period of candidature for students undertaking a 66 per cent or 75 per cent thesis is one year full-time or two years part-time. Students undertaking a 100 per cent thesis can take a maximum of two years full-time or four years part-time. Minimum candidature for all research students is one year full-time or two years part-time. Students, whether full-time or part-time, must be able to attend the university regularly.
Candidates qualified for either a bachelors degree with honours class I or honours II division A, or the equivalent, a masters qualifying program with a research component with a grade of H2A or above, in an appropriate discipline are eligible for admission.
Applicants should check the entry requirements detailed under the various programs for more specific details, including the definition of `relevant disciplines'. Please note that these are the minimum entry requirements and that they may differ from program to program and from time to time.
Some departments and centres offer a Master of Arts program entirely by coursework. All students must complete forty-eight points of courseworks subjects at fifth-year level in order to qualify for the degree; in some cases a research project of twelve or more points may be undertaken.
Students undertaking coursework degrees are not eligible to apply for scholarships.
An honours degree with H2B or above or a masters qualifying program with grades of credit average or above or a Graduate or Postgraduate Diploma or Arts with grades of credit average in a relevant discipline are the minimum entry requirements. Some departments and centres may require higher grades - please refer to the individual program for details.
Prior to 1998 the Master of Arts programs by thesis and coursework and by coursework only were divided into two parts, namely part one and part two.
A candidate admitted into part one of the degree must achieve at least a credit average in the subjects undertaken before proceeding to part two of the degree unless otherwise allowed by the board of examiners. Some programs may also require credit grades to be achieved in the core subjects. Students should note that prior to second semester 1997 students in part one of a masters degree needed credits in all subjects.
Candidates who undertake a coursework only program enrol for fourth-year level subjects to the value of forty-eight points in part one and a further forty-eight points of fifth-year level subjects in part two. One of the subjects could be a research project. To qualify for the degree of Master of Arts candidates will have undertaken a total of ninety-six points and obtained credit level grades or above in all subjects in part two of the degree.
Candidates who undertake a thesis combined with a coursework program also enrol for fourth-year level subjects to the value of forty-eight points in part one. In part two candidates enrol for sixteen points of fifth-year level coursework subjects plus a 66 per cent thesis, or twelve points of fifth-year level coursework subjects plus a 75 per cent thesis, depending on the program. To qualify for the degree of Master of Arts candidates need to obtain credit grades or above in all part two subjects and for their thesis.
Students who enrolled for their current Master of Arts program prior to 1998 will normally continue under the old stucture. Students starting in 1998 or later must follow the new structure, where the Masters of Arts part one usually has been replaced by a masters qualifying program and part two now is a one year full-time, two-year part-time Master of Arts degree.
The administration of the Master of Arts degree, including the formal admission of students to candidature and whether a student has formally qualified for the degree, is under the control of the Arts faculty board. In this matter and on all related questions the faculty board relies on the advice of its Committee for Graduate Studies.
In 1998 the Faculty of Arts will introduce Masters Qualifying programs for students who have a bachelors degree and wish to proceed to a higher degree program. Two kinds of Masters Qualifying programs will be offered: Masters Qualifying with a research component and Masters Qualifying by coursework. Both programs are undertaken in one year of full-time or two years of part-time study. All students undertake forty-eight points of coursework subjects at fourth year level.
Students should note that the Masters Qualifying by coursework programs are usually identical in content to a graduate/postgraduate diploma program in the same discipline. Please see individual department/centre entries for details of programs offered.
The minimum entry requirement for the Masters Qualifying programs is a credit average in the third part of the major sequence or in the final year of a bachelor's degree. Some programs may require students to have achieved distinction average grades - please refer to the entry requirements for individual programs.
Students who do not have an honours degree with a grade of H2A or above or the equivalent and who wish to proceed to a research Master of Arts, Master of Environmental Science degree or PhD candidature can enrol for a Masters Qualifying with a research component program, where one of the subjects will be a research project varying in weight between twelve and twenty-four points (equal to 25 per cent to 50 per cent of the total workload of forty-eight points). Please refer to program outlines for further details about the research project and the weighting thereof. Students will also obtain some training in research methodology to equip them for the research which will be undertaken in the Masters proper.
Students who have completed a Masters Qualifying with a research component and achieved an overall grade of H2A or H1 (viz. a distinction or a high distinction average) are eligible for entry in the relevant discipline of the following degrees:
Students who have completed a Masters Qualifying by coursework program and achieved grades of at least credit average may apply for entry into a one year full-time or two years part-time Master of Arts or Master of Environmental Science by coursework program in the same discipline as the qualifying program. Some departments and centres require a distinction average for entry - please refer to information on individual programs. The following Masters Qualifying by coursework programs qualify students for entry into a Masters by coursework degree in the same discipline:
The growth of scientific knowledge and technical ability in medicine and the biological sciences has led to ethical problems that perplex us all. The graduate program in bioethics aims to develop in students a deeper understanding of the considerations that should enter into ethically sensitive decisions. It is of particular interest to those working in the health care field, but is also taken by students primarily interested in clarifying their own ethical views and learning more about the issues our society must resolve in this rapidly developing area of applied ethics.
Four programs are offered: a Master of Bioethics by research, Master of Bioethics by coursework, Masters Qualifying in bioethics, and a Graduate Diploma of Bioethics. (The Master of Bioethics by coursework, and the Graduate Diploma of Bioethics are also available to students from anywhere in the world through distance education).
Only those students with appropriate qualifications in a suitable area, such as a good honours degree in philosophy (eg distinction or above, or equivalent), or a Masters Qualifying in bioethics (completed at distintion level or above), will be permitted to enrol for the degree of Master of Bioethics by research. For enrolment in the Master of Bioethics by coursework, applicants should have (a) a degree in an appropriate field requiring the equivalent of not less than four years full-time study, or (b) a three-year degree in any of the fields referred to above, plus not less than three years relevant practical experience at senior level, or (c) equivalent qualifications and experience. For enrolment in the Masters Qualifying in bioethics students must have either (a) a degree in a health science, in law, the biological or social sciences, or in a branch of the humanities, such as a philosophy (or other degree as approved by the faculty board), requiring the equivalent of not less than three years full-time study in an approved tertiary institution; and for which the student maintained at least a credit average; or (b) qualifications and experience which in the opinion of the faculty board are a suitable prerparation for the candidate's proposed field of study. Students wishing to enter the graduate diploma must have (a) a degree in medicine or any other health science, in law, the biological or social sciences, or in a branch of the humanities, such as philosophy (or other degree as approved by the faculty board), requiring the equivalent of not less than three years full-time study in an approved tertiary institution; or (b) qualifications and experience which in the opinion of the faculty board are a suitable preparation for the candidate's proposed field of study.
Students should note that the Graduate Diploma of Bioethics and the Masters Qualifying with a research component in Bioethics programs completed at Monash University do not allow students to proceed to the Master of Bioethics by coursework program since these programs have some subjects in common, although at different levels.
A comprehensive suite of programs are offered by the Graduate School of Environmental Science and the Centre for Environmental Management:
Entry requirements vary with qualification and it is possible to use the lower level qualifications to gain entry to the higher levels provided certain minimum standards are met (see the environmental science entry in this handbook).
All programs may be undertaken by either full-time or part-time study, the faculty certificate taking half a year full-time, the graduate diploma, the two masters qualifying, the master by coursework and the masters by research program, one year.
From 1998 onwards Monash University will distinguish between postgraduate diplomas which build on cumulative knowledge (the entry requirement is usually a bachelors degree with a major or specialisation in the area covered by the postgraduate diploma) and graduate diplomas where the entry requirement normally is a bachelors degree of study from any discipline.
The Graduate or Postgraduate Diploma of Arts will be offered in the following fields of study:
* Postgraduate diploma.
In addition to the above Graduate and Postgraduate Diplomas of Arts the faculty also offers:In 1998 the Faculty of Arts will be introducing a wide range of faculty certificates. All of the faculty certificates are full-fee, ranging from $3300 to $4000 for the entire program. Applicants should note that fees are to be paid at enrolment. It is not possible to defer payment. The programs are specifically designed to cater for students who wish to undertake a university program in half a year of full-time or one year of part-time study. Upon successful completion, students will receive a certificate from the Faculty of Arts.
A bachelors degree in a relevant discipline, or five years of professional experience at senior level. Each program gives examples of the kind of professional experience it expects applicants to have. Evidence of the professional experience must accompany the application for entry and be documented as follows: two referee reports which comment on the nature and extent of the applicant's experience, a full CV, plus a statement of up to 1000 words indicating the applicant's career objectives and reasons for applying for entry. When considering admission of an applicant, the university may also take into account relevant publications, community service at senior level or other relevant qualifications.
The HECS liability is calculated each semester at the census date (on 31 March in first semester and 31 August in second semester). If subjects are discontinued after the census date, a HECS liability is still incurred. A detailed description of HECS is found in the HECS booklet which is given to all students at enrolment. Students can acquire another copy at the student administration office upon request. Students should look at the booklet each year, in case there are any changes to the policies. Those who choose to defer their HECS payment and pay through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) must provide a tax file number (TFN) at enrolment and also have the right to make payments direct to the ATO at any time.
Students who move and change address must make sure that they advise the ATO of their new address, since student services and the ATO use it to verify the TFN.
Students commencing their course from 1997 onwards are subject to differential HECS. For further information about HECS ring the HECS inquiry line 1 800 020 108.
Students who do not attend a class (or classes) but fail to discontinue officially in writing are HECS liable.
There is a limited number of HECS exemption scholarships available on a fist-come first-served basis to the following postgraduate students: Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) holders; full-time and part-time candidates for the degree of PhD who are within four years of equivalent full-time candidature. Faculties will also allocate a small number of HECS exemption scholarships to research masters students (this does not include Masters Qualifying students) according to principles decided by the graduate committee of the faculty.
Candidates for graduate diplomas and postgraduate degrees of bachelor are not eligible for HECS exemption scholarships.
The student amenities fees vary from year to year, but in 1997 they were:
Students with permission to study abroad on fieldwork are required to pay the normal fees.
For refunds and assessments for studies less than the whole year, refer to `Refund' section below.
Students who are full-time members of the university staff at the time of enrolment have their union fee reduced by the component paid by the university ($29 in 1997).
Students suffering from financial hardship may apply for a short-term extension to pay fees. However, this avenue is generally only available to re-enrolling students. Application forms may be obtained from the fees branch office on any campus. Only students with genuine financial problems should apply and applications must be made before the due date for payment shown on your enrolment and fees advice form. One extension only will be possible per semester, and if students fail to pay by the agreed extension date they will be charged for late payment of fees (up to one week late, $80), and may risk their enrolment being invalidated.
The main awards available to research students are Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA), and Monash Graduate Scholarships (MGS). Graduates or graduands of any Australian or overseas university are eligible to apply for the MGS, but Australian Postgraduate Awards are available only to Australian citizens or persons with permanent resident status.
Applications for APA or MGS should be lodged at the Research Training and Support Branch office by October 31, each year.
Further inquiries should be directed to Research Training and Support Branch, telephone (03) 9905 3009, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168.
As part of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme introduced on 1 January 1989, a system of postgraduate scholarships providing exemption from liability for a given year of study has been implemented. International students and fee-paying students enrolled in postgraduate courses for which fees have been approved are exempt from the HECS liability and therefore not eligible for these exemption scholarships.
In accordance with the 1991 Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education and Training guidelines most Australian citizens and permanent residents undertaking full-time study for a PhD or masters by research degree were granted an exemption.
Further information on HECS exemptions is available from Research Training and Support Branch, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168.
The above two schemes, formerly the John Crawford Scholarship Scheme, are open to applicants from participating developing countries. These scholarships will cover course fees and may provide living and other allowances, including travel. Further details and application forms may be obtained from any Australian Diplomatic Mission or the Australian Education Centre accredited to countries in which scholarships are available. Application forms for the above schemes are not available from Monash University.
This second category of scholarships will meet full-fee costs only; no stipend or allowances are payable. International students may, however, apply for an OPRS simultaneously with an MGS scholarship. Like all other scholarships applied for at Monash University, the OPRS are awarded strictly on the basis of academic achievement. It should also be noted that only students whose research interests coincide with the university's current research concentrations will be eligible for nomination by institutions for these scholarships.
Further information on these awards is available from the Research Training and Support Branch, Monash University.