RESEARCH SUPERVISION ACCREDITATION PROGRAM

Monash University Research Supervision Accreditation Program provides training for supervisors of higher degree by research (HDR) candidates and assures the quality of the research training experience offered by Monash University. The aim of the program is to equip supervisors with the necessary knowledge and skills to supervise, guide and monitor HDR candidates from the beginning stage of writing the research proposal to submission of the thesis. Monash University Research Supervision Accreditation Program has been developed by the Research Graduate School Committee which is currently chaired by Professor Max King, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Research Training). The program is governed by the HDR supervisor accreditation policy, and provides an alternative to the apprenticeship model. The program is cited as world best practice in A Handbook for Doctoral Supervisors (2005) by Stan Taylor and Nigel Beasley. It was also acclaimed by the Australian University Quality Agency in 2006 as national best practice. CHANGES TO SUPERVISOR ACCREDITATION AND THE INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERSHIP In 2012, supervisor accreditation rules will change.  These changes are part of the University's strategic aim for Monash to be recognised internationally as one of Australia's leading research universities. MRGS is aiming to achieve this via a number of broad objectives which you may like to learn more about via:  http://www.mrgs.monash.edu.au/migr/.   Some of the changes include increasing level 2 accredited supervisors' student load to 16 students and ntroducing Level 3 accreditation effective as of 1 January 2012. With the launch of the new Monash Institute of Graduate Research, the Graduate Research Committee has determined that all Doctoral and MPhil candidates whose applications are approved after 1 January 2012 will require the appointment of two supervisors. For more details visit chapter 5 of the Doctoral and MPhil handbook. PATHWAYS TO ACCREDITATION Monash University offers three pathways for new and experienced research supervisors to become a level 1 accredited supervisor. However New Monash academic staff members who have had supervisory experience considered equivalent to that of the level 1 or level 2 Monash accreditation may qualify for exemption from the Monash Supervision Accreditation Program. Completion of modules 1-9 will partially fulfil the requirements for the elective unit; Higher Degree research supervision HED5070 which is part of the Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice.  1: The fast-tracked model. New and experienced research supervisors complete a nine-module series to be accredited as a level 1 supervisor. Most of the requirements of these nine modules are covered by attendance at a Monash Research Graduate School Research Supervisor Training Workshop or faculty equivalent.  2: The apprenticeship model. Trainee supervisors need first to undertake the role of associate supervisor under the guidance of a mentor for the duration of a research candidature, from admission through to submission of thesis and successful award of degree, before they are eligible to be a level 1 accredited main supervisor in their own right.

Professor Max King Professor Max King is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Research Training) and a Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor of Economics. He has supervised 42 PhD candidates to completion. In 1996 he was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Postgraduate Supervision and in 2009 was awarded a Career Achievement Award by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. He was previously the convenor of the Council of Deans and Directors of Graduate Studies at Australian Universities.

3: Self directed learning. New and experienced research supervisors can choose to complete the nine level 1 modules at their own pace. This method includes a number of activities from the fIRST website.

Finalising accreditation requires submission of the relevant form to the Monash Research Graduate School.

A supervisor who has completed the level 1 accreditation program is permitted to supervise, as the main or associate supervisor, up to six higher degree by research (HDR) candidates or no more than four EFTSL. See table below for further details. 

FURTHER ACCREDITATION

Supervisors who wish to further develop their supervision skills or increase their supervision load capacity can complete five master classes to obtain level 2 accreditation. Level 2 accreditation permits supervision, as the main or associate supervisor, of up to 16 individuals or no more than eight EFTSL.

LEVELS OF ACCREDITATION

At Monash University, there are three levels of supervisor accreditation. The number of students a supervisor can support at any given time is determined by their accreditation level. As of July 2012, Monash accredited supervisors must also be members of the Monash Institute of Graduate Research (MIGR).

These levels of accreditation are outlined below:

DEFINITIONS

Associate: The associate supervisor supports the main supervisor and ensures the candidate has continuity of supervision in the absence of the main supervisor. In some cases the associate supervisor is assigned for his/her expertise in a particular area of the candidate’s research. All parties should discuss and agree upon the specific role of the associate supervisor for the duration of the candidature as each research project is unique. For the further associate supervisor roles and responsibilities information, please visit Chapter 5.1.2 of the Handbook for Doctoral and MPhil Degrees

Completions: Must be doctoral completions or completions that commenced as research masters candidatures and then upgraded to PhD candidature. The supervisor may have been the associate or the main supervisor. They must have been registered as a supervisor from commencement of candidature until successful award of degree, with no interruption.

EFTSL: Equivalent full time study load

Main: The main supervisor has the responsibility for overseeing the candidate’s progress and should have the expertise, time and resources to provide ongoing support. The main supervisor is responsible for providing guidance regarding the requirements and timelines for progress reviews and candidature milestones and is the supervisor responsible for signing off on all administrative documents. Chapter 5: Supervision of the Handbook for Doctoral and MPhil Degrees has further information

Mentor: The trainee supervisor's mentor coordinates the trainee’s progress through the accreditation program, although the trainee will also be assisted by other experienced supervisors. To be eligible to become a mentor for the purposes of this accreditation program, a research supervisor must have taken at least three doctoral candidates through to successful completion.

GENERAL INFORMATION

For information on a supervisor’s responsibilities, refer to the Code of practice for supervision of doctoral and research masters candidates.

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