Doctor of Philosophy - Faculty of Business

What is this course about?

The primary aim of our Doctoral program is to produce graduates capable of successfully completing research which results in a significant and original contribution to knowledge. We offer high level, supervised, research training which fosters the development of independent research skills and scholarly analysis.

Why do this course?

In choosing the Doctor of Philosophy through the Faculty of Business, students are admitted to a dynamic, academic community of scholars within the Faculty who are dedicated researchers in a variety of disciplinary and inter-disciplinary areas of research. The degree gives you the opportunity to make an original and significant contribution to knowledge in your discipline area. It also allows you to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the scholarly debate relevant to your chosen field, and a capacity for both critical analysis of, and constructive contribution to, that debate.

The design and delivery of the course offers students study flexibility; flexibility of study location, either on campus or distance education using online resources and tools, as well as a choice of either part-time or full-time study. The Doctor of Philosophy has a minimum full-time duration of three years and applications for admission are considered at any time throughout the year.

To qualify for the award, candidates will be required to submit a thesis embodying the results of their research.

Students with a significant body of published research may also be eligible for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy by publication, enabling them to gain formal recognition for their existing research and published material.

Graduates will have demonstrated the capacity to:

• design and implement at a high level of originality and quality, either an original research project(s) of significance to a discipline or cross-disciplinary field
• present a substantial and intellectually coherent  thesis or dissertation for submission to external examination against international standards.

Career opportunities

The Doctor of Philosophy is a qualification which can be used in the pursuit of an academic career within a university.

PhD graduates also gain employment in private and public sector organisations in senior research positions.

Graduation requirements

Students will graduate from the Doctor of Philosophy on completion of a thesis, equivalent to 192 points.

Admission requirements

Doctor of Philosophy by research

To qualify for candidature for the Doctor of Philosophy, applicants should have either:

• qualified for the award of a Master by research at an acceptable level; or
• hold an appropriate bachelor degree with Class 1 or Class 2 (Division 1) Honours from an Australian university, taken over a minimum of four years (full-time equivalent), or an award accepted by the Board of Graduate Studies as equivalent, and/or have demonstrated in study and/or professional performance potential to undertake research at a Doctoral level.

Intending applicants should contact the Sub-Dean, Graduate Studies to discuss the proposal before submitting the prescribed application form. Please phone info.csu on 1800 334 733 for the contact details of the Sub-Dean, Graduate Studies. In addition, applicants must complete a form describing their area of interest, which should accompany their application.

Admission to candidature is subject to approval by the Research Advisory Committee

Doctor of Philosophy by publication

Applicants should be experienced researchers with a significant refereed publication record of Doctoral standard.

They should hold one of the following:

• a Master degree by research
• an appropriate bachelor degree with Class 1 or Class 2 (Division 1) Honours from an Australian university or international equivalent, undertaken over a minimum of four years
• other appropriate combination of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, such as graduate diplomas, and research experience demonstrating to the Board of Graduate Studies that the candidate is capable of undertaking research at Doctoral level.

The Research Advisory Committee will base its decision on proposed candidature on the following evidence:

• the publications (which may include books and non-print materials) that will be included in the submission presented for examination
• any information on the quality and citations of the publications to be included in the submission
• a statement making clear the applicant's contribution to all jointly authored publications
• a statement from the co-authors of any jointly authored publications confirming the extent of the applicant's contribution to these publications
• a statement of no more than five pages that:
• • indicates the way in which the work has developed
  • demonstrates the contemporary relevance of each publication
  • makes clear the way in which the publications make an original scholarly contribution to knowledge
  • provides a thematic overview which links the individual publications to an integrated whole
  • confirms the papers have not previously been submitted as part of a degree.
• a statement indicating whether or not additional research activity may be required in order to convert the publications to an integrated whole, and if so, an outline of the necessary work
• the names of two persons who are able to provide academic references relevant to the proposed PhD candidature
• the qualifications and experience of the applicant
• the proposed area of research
• an indication of willingness to supervise the proposed research from a supervisor
• certification from the Faculty that:
• • the proposed program of study and research is at a level appropriate to the degree being sought
  • the proposed program falls within an approved University field of research for higher degrees
  • adequate supervision and physical resources are available.

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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