Chapter 2: Admission to doctoral & MPhil candidature

2.10 Probationary candidature

Probationary candidature normally applies for all doctoral and MPhil candidates, except where doctoral candidates have transferred from a masters by research program. See also section 3.7 in Chapter 3.

2.10.1 PhD and MD

Candidature will be confirmed subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report of progress at the end of the 12-month (full-time) or 24-months (part-time) period of probationary candidature. Where a candidate has made exceptional progress, candidature may be confirmed after a minimum of six months full-time or 12 months part-time candidature.

Alternatively, a recommendation may be made for initial enrolment as a masters candidate followed by transfer to doctoral candidature, normally after one year full-time equivalent as a masters candidate. In this case, the period of time spent as a masters candidate will count towards doctoral candidature.

For those Monash members of staff who undergo a period of pre-candidature (see 2.1.1.2) ratification of formal candidature admission is via a confirmation process. The normal confirmation requirements shall apply. Additionally, such candidates are also required to submit a scholarly piece of work judged by the review panel to be equivalent to a paper accepted for a refereed journal or presented at a national or international research conference.

Students applying for confirmation of candidature should refer to guidelines in Appendix D of this handbook.

2.10.2 DPsych

All candidates are admitted to probationary candidature in the first instance. Candidature will be confirmed subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report of progress at the end of 18 months of full-time candidature for DPsych (Clinical) and DPsych (Clinical Neuropsychology) and after 12 months for DPsych (Organisational).

2.10.3 DPH and DBA

All candidates are admitted to probationary candidature in the first instance. Candidature will be confirmed subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report of progress at the end of the first full-time equivalent year.

Please note that commencing students are no longer being admitted to the DBA program as the course has been discontinued. Confirmation requirements still apply to existing DBA students.

2.10.4 EdD, SJD

Candidature will be confirmed after 18 months of full-time candidature or 3 years part-time candidature when the candidate has successfully completed the coursework component of the course and presented a satisfactory research proposal before a faculty review panel.

2.10.5 MPhil

All candidates are admitted to probationary candidature in the first instance. Candidature will be confirmed subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report of progress after:

• six months full-time or 12 months part-time candidature for MPhil students undertaking their degree by 100% research and
• nine months full-time or 18 months part-time candidature for MPhil students who have included a coursework component in their degree.
• The head of the academic unit may lodge a request for deferral of the confirmation process where it is anticipated that an MPhil candidate will upgrade to doctoral candidate following 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time candidature.

2.10.6 MPsych (Counselling)/PhD; MPsych (Educational and Developmental)/PhD