Course Structure

The course consists of 120 credit points comprising:

• one core research methods subject (20 credit points)
• one subject at 700 level (20 credit points) to be taken from the area of specialisation
• one core 30,000 word research thesis (80 credit points) in area of specialisation

To qualify for award of the degree of Master of Philosophy a candidate shall complete at least 120 credit points.

For more information see the Student Handbook.

Subjects

• RES701 Research Methods
• RES703 Research Thesis
• XXX706 Advanced Research in Discipline Area

View the full list of subjects for this course.

Subjects with a 'XXX' code will be replaced with the discipline code as determined by your supervisor. For example, if your discipline area is Education, the code will be replaced as EDU706.

For more details on which subjects you can choose, see the current enrolment guide for this course.

Admission Criteria

Academic

Applicants with Recent Secondary Education (within the past 2 years)

This course of study requires the completion of higher education study at an authorised institution. 

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

This course of study requires the completion of higher education study at an authorised institution.   

Applicants with Higher Education Study

Completion of an AQF Level 8 Bachelors (Honours 1 or 2a) degree in a relevant field, or equivalent. 

OR

Completion of an AQF Level 7 bachelors degree in a relevant field, or equivalent, as well as an AQF Level 8 graduate diploma in a relevant field with at least a 20 credit point research component and an overall GPA at least 2.8.
OR

Completion of an AQF Level 9 or above postgraduate qualification in a relevant field, or equivalent. 

Note: Applicants to this degree should normally have completed a prior research paper/thesis of 12,000 words or more. In some cases, peer reviewed publications (e.g. journal articles) may be accepted in lieu of a prior thesis.

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

In exceptional circumstances, the Graduate Research School may allow admission of an applicant who does not have the qualifications specified. In such cases, evidence must be supplied to verify that the applicant has equivalent qualifications based on academic and professional attainment and demonstration of an appropriate capacity for research.

Language

Overseas students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency skills. Such students admitted into our programs must attain an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.0 (with no score below 7.0 in any of the four skills areas). IELTS (or equivalent) is not required for applicants who have undertaken five years of required higher education study (or equivalent) in English from an approved country or who have completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification awarded in English under the Australian Qualification Framework by an authorised institution or registered training organisation.

Fees & Timetable

A complete Fee Schedule for all Alphacrucis programs and courses can be found in our Fees Information section.

For a full list of course dates for new and continuing students please see our Timetables.

FEE-HELP is available for eligible students to assist you in financing your studies. For more information and other options, please visit the Financing Your Study page. For students who cannot access government loans, an alternative option is Study Loans, a private student loan provider. To learn more about loans provided by Study Loans, click here.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

Demonstrated:

• critical, creative and systematic understanding of a substantial and complex body of knowledge that makes an original contribution to a particular area in the field of specialisation;
• advanced knowledge of scholarship and recent developments in the area under consideration;
• understanding of advanced research principles and methods, and substantial knowledge of specific research approaches used within the chosen field.

Skills:

Demonstrated ability to:

• autonomously engage in critical reflection, analysis and synthesis of the body of theoretical knowledge related to a particular area within the field of Theology, Business and/or Education;
• establish, incorporate and apply effective research methodologies to advance existing professional knowledge and/or practice;
• design a research question that explores an original and complex issue and propose solutions;
• communicate effectively the complexity of the research and its findings to peers and the community;
• provide creative responses to the contemporary challenges and new developments in research and scholarship within the chosen field.

Application of Knowledge and Skills:

Demonstrated ability to:

• apply the knowledge and skills developed within the selected research field to engage with new questions and find innovative and creative solutions;
• effectively contribute to regional, national or international professional communities within the selected research field;
• work independently and responsibly in the selected research field;
• effectively design, implement and communicate a major thesis in the selected research field to contribute original knowledge and expertise to peers and the community;
• develop an advanced level of integrative reflection which will inform and enhance professional practice.