Master of Arts (Honours)

What is this course about?

CSU's Master of Arts (Honours) is a research program applicable across a wide variety of disciplines, wherein the student, with the aid of a supervisory team, will develop a proposal and undertake focused research culminating with the submission of a thesis.

Priority areas for the Master of Arts (Honours) by research and thesis include Australian history, Australian literature, communication and culture, drama, fine arts, justice studies and police studies, professional and applied ethics, psychology, sociology, rural social studies, social work, social welfare and social policy, and theology.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Admission requirements

An applicant for admission to candidature for a Master degree by research shall normally have either:

• qualified with the award of a Bachelor degree with Class 1 or Class 2 (Division 1) Honours from Charles Sturt University or an award accepted as equivalent;
  or
• qualified with the award of a Graduate Diploma equivalent to a fourth year of academic study from Charles Sturt University or an award accepted as equivalent containing a research component with a minimum of a Distinction average overall and a Distinction for the research component;
  or
• successfully completed a coursework master degree from Charles Sturt University or an award accepted as equivalent; with a Distinction average overall and a Distinction for the research component;
  or
• have demonstrated in scholarship or professional performance, potential to undertake research at the Master level. (In such cases the applicant must supply a justification for entry to the Master program and supporting evidence).

Applications with the area of research interest clearly stated can be lodged at any time within the academic year.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

English proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they

1. have undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 7.0, and with no score lower than 6.5, within the last 12 months;  or
2. undertaken a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 577 (or computerised TOEFL score of 233), with a Test for Written English Score (where reported) of at least 5.0 or an Internet-based score of 90 with a written score of 24 within the last 12 months; or
3. undertaken other equivalent examinations, as determined by the Board of Graduate Studies;  or
4. completed a university degree where the language of assessment is in English;

The Presiding Officer of the Board of Graduate Studies may, in special circumstances, on behalf of the Board waive the above proficiency requirements after consulting the relevant Dean, Sub-Dean and nominated Supervisor.

NOTE: A Faculty may require a higher standard of proficiency than that specified above for programs deemed to be linguistically demanding.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2