Doctor of Philosophy - Faculty of Arts

What is this course about?

The Doctor of Philosophy through the Faculty of Arts offers graduates who have an excellent academic record and proven research skills the opportunity to conduct research at a level that is going to contribute to the knowledge base of their discipline.

In the Faculty of Arts the areas in which research can be conducted 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.

The program consists entirely of completing an individual research program under supervision. Students are required to develop a research proposal, carry out the research and write a thesis. Students are also required to make presentations of their work at on campus colloquia. Offshore students are required to visit the appropriate campus at least twice during their candidature in order to meet with their supervisor(s) and to present their research.

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 to the Doctor of Philosophy degree must hold:

• an Honours degree (minimum Class 2 (Division 1) in a related field
  or
• a Master degree with Honours, or equivalent, in a related field
  or
• have demonstrated in scholarship or professional performance potential to undertake research at the doctoral level. (In such cases the applicant must supply a justification for entry to the doctoral program and supporting evidence).

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.

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2; Session 3