Chapter 3: Conditions of candidature

3.9 Coursework and practica

3.9.1 Coursework

3.9.1.1 Additional work / enabling units

An academic unit may require a candidate to undertake particular courses or examinations if the supervisor or head of department or academic unit consider these necessary to enable the candidate to carry out the proposed program of research. Such requirements should normally be prescribed in advance, by the head of department or academic unit in consultation with the candidate, although the need for supplementary coursework could arise at any stage.

3.9.1.2 Mandatory coursework

Where a mandatory coursework component has been undertaken as an integral part of the degree structure (some PhD and MPhil programs, the EdD, DPH, DPsych, DBA and SJD), this component must be completed successfully before the thesis is dispatched to the examiners for assessment. The nature and duration of such coursework will be notified to the examiners when they are sent the thesis.

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

3.9.1.3.1 PhD-level coursework

Some departments may include up to 12 months of full-time equivalent PhD-level coursework as an integral and mandatory element of the PhD research program. The inclusion of such coursework within the program nevertheless acknowledges that the PhD is a research degree and assessment of the coursework unit would test research skills and competence relevant to the field of study. Such coursework would need to be successfully completed before the thesis could be submitted for examination. A compulsory coursework component might be reflected in a slight reduction in the thesis length.

3.9.1.3.2 Enabling coursework and PhD/doctoral level coursework: a summary

No more than 12 months of coursework including both enabling and Phd level coursework may be undertaken during the Phd program. There are similarities and differences between enabling and Phd level coursework. The table below may help to clarify these similarities and differences.

	Enabling Courses	PhD Level Coursework
Purpose	Candidate is advised by supervisor, supervisory panel, graduate studies coordinator, head of department/school to meet gaps in knowledge, required for successful completion of research project. Such enabling work may also on occasion serve to broaden the context of the research project. Coursework of this type is tailored to suit each candidate’s individual needs.	Such coursework may be a mandatory requirement within an academic unit’s PhD program. Candidate pursues PhD level coursework which is rigorous, relevant and challenging. Such coursework is intended to broaden the candidate’s knowledge base in the discipline, thus placing the specific research program in a wider content. The coursework develops research skills which enhance the candidate’s competence in research. Formal assessment of these coursework units should emphasise competence in research and relevance to the field.
Unit levels	Any level.	PhD level units challenging to a doctoral candidate.
Approval process	Approval is a responsibility of the relevant academic unit	PhD level coursework components in faculty degree programs must be approved by the Research Graduate School Committee
Enrolment status	A candidate is formally enrolled and assessed.	The candidate is formally enrolled and assessed.
Maximum length of coursework component in PhD	Six months of full-time equivalent study (24 credit points each unit) only	Of the total of 48 credit points/12 months of coursework (both enabling and PhD level coursework), up to full 48 credit points or 12 months may be PhD level coursework
Time by which coursework should be completed	The coursework may be undertaken at any time during candidature, but before the thesis is examined.	Where possible the coursework should be undertaken before confirmation, otherwise as negotiated between candidate and supervisor.
Time at which decision is made to include coursework component	Normally skills gaps will be identified prior to first/initial enrolment. However, such issues may arise at a later date, eg at the time of confirmation and the undertaking of additional units negotiated between candidate and supervisor at this time.	Since coursework units are an integral part of the PhD degree program in selected academic units, the candidate will be made aware of such mandatory requirements before initial enrolment.
Relationship to thesis	All required coursework must be satisfactorily completed before the thesis can be examined. Examiners will not normally be notified in detail of the nature and extent of the enabling coursework when undertaking the examination assessment. Such coursework would not affect the thesis length.	All required mandatory coursework must be satisfactorily completed before the thesis can be examined. The examiners will be notified of the nature and extent of the PhD level coursework when undertaking the examination. Such coursework would permit a slightly shorter thesis to be presented but with no reduction in the quality of the work. However, final assessment is based upon the thesis.
Transcript record	A statement of satisfactory completion/assessment of coursework units in which the student was enrolled and assessed, may be included in the academic transcript and identified as a component of the PhD program.	A statement of satisfactory completion of such coursework should be included in the degree transcript as a component of the relevant PhD degree program.

3.9.1.4 PhD in the speciality of visual arts

This program includes a mandatory three-unit coursework component.

3.9.1.5 EdD

A candidate shall complete four units as approved by faculty board in advance. Any variation to the prescribed coursework should have the approval of faculty board. The doctoral coursework units represent six months of work or the equivalent in part-time candidature.

A candidate’s progress will be monitored at the end of each semester during the coursework stage. Candidates may be permitted to repeat a failed unit with the permission of the faculty board. The progress of each candidate will be reported to the University’s Research Graduate School Committee prior to enrolment in the thesis.

3.9.1.6 DPsych

Coursework sessions for the DPsych are conducted over two 13-week semesters in each of the first three years, with specialisation in the third year. The coursework component comprises approximately 20% of the program.

3.9.1.7 DPH

Coursework sessions will be conducted over two 13-week semesters in the first year and one 13-week semester in the second year.

3.9.1.8 DBA

The program consists of approximately 20% coursework comprising two (12-credit-point) units, a 'Current issues in business' unit (six credit point) and a compulsory, unweighted DBA seminar.

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

3.9.1.9 SJD

Students undertake four elective (six-credit-point) units from a list of approved Master of Laws units. A distinction-average level in these units, together with distinctions in research assignments submitted in each of them, is required. A 12-credit-point ungraded SJD seminar is also undertaken on a pass/fail basis. The coursework comprises 25% of the degree program.

3.9.1.10 MPhil

As recommended by the faculty and approved by the Research Graduate School Committee, an MPhil study program may include units not exceeding one-third of the program.

3.9.2 Practica

3.9.2.1 DPsych

Supervised practica will be conducted in a variety of settings. All practica are confined to the first two years of the program. By the end of the second year, each candidate will be required to have had at least one practicum in an adult and a child setting, and in an in-patient and out-patient setting.

In each practicum, candidates will be required to be on placement two days per week. This will involve patient contact, observation, allied professional activities, supervisory sessions and writing reports and case notes.

3.9.2.2 DPH

The public health practice will occur in the second semester of the second year of the course.