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HDR supervisor accreditation policy

Policy - HDR candidature research supervisor accreditation

Policy Title

HDR Candidature Research Supervisor Accreditation

Purpose

To ensure all principal/joint supervisors are appropriately trained either through the ‘apprenticeship model’ or through formal training
To set maximum supervisory load limits in accordance with a supervisor’s training/experience

Scope

All campuses
All HDR programs
All HDR candidates

Policy Statement

The university must provide the best possible research training environment so that candidates may submit their theses in a timely manner. The quality of supervision is critical in this process.

Supervision of HDR candidates as a main/principal or joint/co supervisor may be undertaken only by accredited supervisors with supervisory load determined by accreditation level.

Supporting Procedures

HDR Candidature Research Supervision Accreditation Procedures

Responsibilty for implementation

Director, Monash Research Graduate School
Deputy Director, Monash Research Graduate School
Faculty associate dean responsible for research degrees
Manager, Monash Research Graduate School

Policy status

Revised

Key Stakeholders

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Research Training)

Deans/Associate deans responsible for research degrees

HDR Candidates

Victorian Ombudsman

Monash Research Graduate School

Monash Postgraduate Association

Approval Body

Academic Board

XXXXX (meeting No)
XX XX XXXX (meeting date)
XXXX (agenda item as in minutes of relevant body eg 9.1)

Endorsement Body

Research Graduate School Committee (RGSC)

Meeting number as in the minutes of the relevant body (eg 1/2006 with no character spaces)
Meeting date (DD-MM-YYYY). In the on-line submission template this is a calendar button.
Agenda item as in the minutes of the relevant body (eg 9.1 with no character spaces)

Definitions

Key word/abbreviation	Definition
HDR	Higher degrees by research
MRGS	Monash Research Graduate School
RGSC	Research Graduate School Committee
Unaccredited supervisor	A supervisor who has taken no doctoral candidate through to completion either at Monash or other recognised university and has undertaken no Monash training.
Level 1 supervisor	A supervisor who has had one or two completions on or after 01/01/2006 or has been deemed level I by the Steering Committee of the Research Graduate School Committee or has completed the nine modules of the Level 1 training program.
Level 2 supervisor	A supervisor who has been a main supervisor prior to 2006 or has had a completion prior to 2006 or has had three completions on or after 01/01/2006 (and none prior to 2006) or has been deemed Level 2 by the Steering Committee of the Research Graduate School Committee or has completed level 2 master classes 1-4 inclusive and one other- five master classes in all.

Related Legislation

Monash University
Research Graduate School Committee Regulations

Related Policies

n/a

Related Documents

Handbook for Doctoral and MPhil Degrees , including Code of Practice for the supervision of doctoral and masters by research candidates

Chapter 5

http://www.mrgs.monash.edu.au/research/staff/supervision/

Date Effective

Date revised policy is approved by Academic Board

Next Review Date

Three years from effective date above

Policy Owner

Director, Monash Research Graduate School

Policy Author

Manager Monash Research Graduate School

Contact Person

Senior Administrative Officer (Research Policy and Supervision Training), MRGS

Procedures - HDR candidature research supervisor accreditation

HDR Candidature Research Supervision Accreditation Procedures

Reason for Change
Revised

Procedures Set 1: scope
These procedures relate to the Monash supervisor accreditation process, the type of supervision (main or associate) and the maximum supervision load permitted under level 1 and level 2 accreditation.

Step	Responsibility
1.Levels of accreditation A supervisor’s level of accreditation is determined by reference to previous supervisory experience, and or training. The three levels are: Unaccredited Level 1 Level 2 Previous supervisory experience and /or training associated with each level: Unaccredited: supervisor has taken no doctoral candidate through to completion either at Monash or other recognized university and has undertaken no Monash training. Level 1: supervisor has had one or two completions on or after 01/01/2006 or has been deemed level 1 by the Steering Committee of the Research Graduate School Committee or has completed the nine modules of the Level 1 training program. Level 2: supervisor has been a main supervisor prior to 2006 or has had a completion prior to 2006 or has had 3 completions on or after 01/01/2006 (and none prior to 2006) or has been deemed Level 2 by the Steering Committee of the Research Graduate school Committee or has completed Level 2 Master classes 1-4 inclusive and one other; 5 master classes in all. Completions may be related to either associate or main supervision.	Research Graduate School Committee Senior Research Administrator (Postgraduate Research Programs and Scholarships) Senior Administrative Officer (Research Policy and Supervisor Training)
2. Maximum supervision percentage allowed under the three accreditation levels Unaccredited: not more than 25% as an associate supervisor Level 1: 100% supervision as a main supervisor Level 2: 100% supervision as a main supervisor	Research Graduate School Committee Senior Research Administrator (Postgraduate Research Programs and Scholarships)
3. Maximum supervision load allowed under the three accreditation levels Unaccredited: 1 EFTSL or three students Level 1: 4 EFTSL or six students Level 2: 8 EFTSL or 12 students	Research Graduate School Committee Senior Research Administrator (Postgraduate Research Programs and Scholarships)
4. Level 1 training methods Trainee supervisors pursue their training under the guidance of an experienced academic mentor. Academic staffing seeking training for accreditation at Level 1 have two options: Apprenticeship model: trainees undertake the role of associate supervisor for the duration of at least one candidature from submission through to submission of thesis and successful award of degree Fast track model: trainees complete a series of nine modules each having up to two key tasks. This program can be self paced or undertaken through a combination of workshops, seminars, attendance at supervisor meetings and self directed learning. This structured program can be completed in 3-6 months. The nine modules are: Postgraduate research training policy and preliminaries First meetings Initial three to four month period Monitoring student progress as candidate pursues research plan Reading and providing feedback on student’s work Problem solving Producing the thesis Examination process Final debriefing with mentor The majority of these modules may be completed through attendance at a one-day workshop program (except 5B; 7B; 8B, 9)	Module presenters Prospective supervisor Experience academic mentor Senior Administrative Officer (Research Policy and Supervisor Training)
5. Level 2 Training Level 2 training via a fast track mode consists of a program of master classes and are designed for both less experienced supervisors and more experienced supervisors wishing to refresh their skills. Core master classes are offered through MRGS while faculties also offer other specialised workshops and seminars. Five units must be completed for Level 2 accreditation. Some workshops are offered via DVD replay Core units include: Case studies on the breakdown of the student- supervisor relationship External supervision and supervision in teams Power relationships and dealing with students from different cultures IP and authorship How to examine a thesis Case studies in building research teams	Module presenters Prospective supervisor Senior Administrative officer (Research Policy and Supervisor Training)
6. Exemption and credit Requests may be made to the Steering Committee of the Research Graduate School Committee for exemptions from training where academic staff have supervisory experience considered equivalent to that required for Level 1 and 2 accreditation	Deputy Director, Monash Research Graduate School Prospective supervisor Senior Administrative officer (Research Policy and Supervisor Training)
7. Notification that requirements have been met Certificates of level 1 and level 2 accreditation are signed by the Deputy Director of the Monash Research Graduate School on behalf of the Research Graduate School Committee.	Deputy Director, Monash Research Graduate school Senior Administrative officer (Research Policy and Supervisor Training)