Subdivision 3.9.1: Professional Doctorates other than research degrees
3.28 Application of Subdivision
3.28(1) This Subdivision applies to academic programs, and to candidates pursuing those programs, leading to a professional doctorate other than a research degree.
3.29 Academic program content
3.29(1) An academic program of study to which this Subdivision relates consists of work determined by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) including coursework, research or clinical or professional practice.
3.29(2) If an academic program of study to which this Subdivision relates is to contain a research component, the research component is to relate to a topic or topics approved by the prescribed authority.
3.29(3) However, if more than one topic is permitted under subrule 3.29(2), the topics must have a reasonable relationship with each other.
3.29(4) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) must determine the minimum standard of coursework that must be attained before a candidate is granted the award or before the candidate’s thesis is examined.
3.29(5) Each determination must be made available to relevant candidates and must contain a description of the academic program requirements.
3.29(6) A candidate must obtain the approval of the prescribed authority for the content of the candidate’s academic program and for any change to that content.
3.29(7) Completion of an academic program for a professional doctorate requires at least 96 units and, unless otherwise approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), not greater than 192 units.
3.29(8) To complete the requirements of the academic program satisfactorily, a candidate must pass the coursework, the research (thesis) component, and any clinical or professional practice that is required, at the standard indicated in the relevant determination.
3.29(9) In computing periods of time for completing units under this rule, periods of program leave of absence do not extend the time available.
3.30 Time limits
3.30(1) The maximum duration of a 192 unit program for a professional doctorate other than by research is 9 years.
3.31 Reporting
3.31(1) For an academic program for a professional doctorate a candidate must give a report to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or prescribed authority in accordance with the Orders.
Subdivision 3.9.2: Degrees of Master other than research degrees
3.32 Application of Subdivision
3.32(1) This Subdivision applies to academic programs leading to a degree of Master (other than Master of Philosophy or another research degree) set out in the Schedule and which require a candidate to complete the program either by coursework or a combination of coursework and research.
3.33 Academic programs
3.33(1) In this Subdivision, a reference to a coursework program is a reference to an academic program consisting largely or entirely of coursework, and a reference to a coursework and research program is a reference to an academic program involving less than two-thirds research.
3.33(2) A coursework program can be:
(a) a degree with an ungraded exit standard of Satisfactory; or
(b) a degree with a graded exit standard of Distinction, Merit, or Award.
3.33(3) A coursework and research program can be:
(a) a degree with an ungraded exit standard of Satisfactory; or
(b) a degree with a graded exit standard of First Class Honours, Second Class Honours, Division A, Second Class Honours, Division B, or Third Class Honours.
3.33(4) A failure in a coursework or coursework and research program is to be graded Fail.
3.33(5) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) must identify each academic program to which this Division applies as falling under paragraph 3.33(2)(a), 3.33(2)(b), 3.33(3)(a) or 3.33(3)(b).
3.34 Academic program content
3.34(1) An academic program is to consist of coursework or a combination of coursework and research, being research into a topic determined by the prescribed authority.
3.34(2) However, if more than one research topic is permitted, the topics are to have a reasonable relationship with each other.
3.34(3) An academic program of the kind defined in paragraph 3.33(2)(b) must contain a research component of at least one quarter of the total requirements for the degree.
3.34(4) An academic program must contain a coursework component greater than one third of the total requirements for the degree.
3.34(5) Completion of an academic program for a degree of Master requires:
(a) at least 48 units and, unless otherwise approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), not greater than 96 units; or
(b) if a different unit value is mentioned in the Orders for the award, that value.
3.35 Time limits
3.35(1) The maximum duration of a program leading to a degree of Master is:
(a) for a 48 unit program, 5 years; and
(b) for a 60 to 72 unit program, 6 years; and
(c) for a 96 (or more) unit program, 7 years.
3.35(2) In computing periods of time for completing units under this rule, periods of program leave of absence do not extend the time available.
Subdivision 3.9.3: Graduate Diplomas
3.36 Application of Subdivision
3.36(1) This Subdivision applies to academic programs for graduate diplomas mentioned in the Schedule.
3.37 Academic program content
3.37(1) An academic program for a Graduate Diploma consists of such work as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) determines.
3.37(2) Completion of an academic program leading to a Graduate Diploma requires at least 36 units and, unless otherwise approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), not greater than 48 units.
3.38 Classification of performance of candidate
3.38(1) The relevant coordinator must, in relation to each candidate for a Graduate Diploma, after any consultation with the examiners that the coordinator considers necessary in relation to the candidate, recommend to the prescribed authority:
(a) that the candidate has satisfactorily completed the program and that the candidate's performance be classified under subrule 3.38(4) as Awarded the Diploma with Distinction, Awarded the Diploma with Merit or Awarded the Diploma; or
(b) that the candidate has not satisfactorily completed the program.
3.38(2) The prescribed authority must, having regard to the recommendation of the coordinator, decide whether or not a candidate has satisfactorily completed the program.
3.38(3) A prescribed authority must not decide that a candidate has satisfactorily completed an academic program unless the candidate has, to the satisfaction of the prescribed authority, attended such classes and seminars and performed such work as the prescribed authority determines.
3.38(4) If a prescribed authority decides that a candidate has satisfactorily completed an academic program, the prescribed authority must classify the performance of the candidate in respect of that program as Awarded the Diploma with Distinction, Awarded the Diploma with Merit or Awarded the Diploma, but must otherwise classify that performance as Fail.
3.38(5) The prescribed authority is only to classify the performance of the candidate as Awarded the Diploma with Distinction if the candidate has achieved a standard equivalent to First Class Honours.
3.38(6) The prescribed authority is only to classify the performance of the candidate as Awarded the Diploma with Merit if the candidate has achieved a standard equivalent to Second Class Honours, Division A.
3.39 Time limits
3.39(1) The maximum duration of a program for a Graduate Diploma is 5 years.
3.39(2) In computing periods of time for completing units under this rule, periods of program leave of absence do not extend the time available.
Subdivision 3.9.4: Graduate Certificates
3.40 Application of Subdivision
3.40(1) This Subdivision applies to academic programs for graduate certificates mentioned in the Schedule.
3.41 Academic program content
3.41(1) An academic program for a Graduate Certificate consists of such work as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) determines.
3.41(2) Completion of an academic program leading to a Graduate Certificate requires at least 24 units unless otherwise determined by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education).
3.42 Classification of candidate's performance
3.42(1) The relevant coordinator must, in relation to each candidate, after any consultation with the examiners that the coordinator considers necessary in relation to the candidate, recommend to the prescribed authority whether the candidate has satisfactorily completed the program or has failed.
3.42(2) The prescribed authority must, having regard to the recommendation of the coordinator, decide whether a candidate has satisfactorily completed the program or has failed.
3.42(3) A prescribed authority must not decide that a candidate has satisfactorily completed an academic program unless the candidate has, to the prescribed authority's satisfaction, attended such classes and seminars and performed such work as the prescribed authority determines.
3.43 Time limits
3.43(1) The maximum duration of a program for a Graduate Certificate is 3 years.
3.43(2) In computing periods of time for completing units under this rule, periods of program leave of absence do not extend the time available.
Subdivision 3.9.5: Combined programs
3.44 Combined programs
3.44(1) With the permission of the prescribed authorities concerned, a candidate may undertake the programs for 2 awards as a combined program.
3.44(2) The University offers the combined programs mentioned in Part 6 of the Schedule.
3.45 Combined program: requirements
3.45(1) The requirements for a combined program are as set out in the Orders made by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education).
3.45(2) Rules and Orders that apply to a component program of a combined program apply, except where they are inconsistent with Orders made under this rule, to that component of the combined program.
Division 3.10: Examinations
Subdivision 3.10.1: Preliminary
3.46 Application of Division
3.46(1) This Division applies to the examination of candidates for awards other than research degrees.
3.47 Eligibility to be examined or re-examined
3.47(1) A candidate is not eligible to be examined or re-examined in a course unless he or she is enrolled in the course and complies with the requirements of the Rules and Orders applicable to taking the course.
3.48 Methods of examination
3.48(1) Coursework is to be examined by written examination in accordance with the Examinations (The Faculties) Rules 2005 which are to be applied as nearly as possible in relation to examinations for coursework, with such necessary or convenient modifications, additions and omissions as are determined by the prescribed authority.
3.48(2) If an academic program requires the submission of a thesis in addition to other coursework components, the thesis is to be examined in accordance with this Division and the Examinations (The Faculties) Rules 2005.
3.48(3) Theses and examinations are to be written and conducted in the English language, unless the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), on the recommendation of the prescribed authority, otherwise determines.
3.48(4) Subject to these Rules, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, by Order, determine the requirements of an examination, and may give directions as to the conduct of an examination.
3.48(5) However, for a program of study requiring clinical or professional practice, examination of the clinical or professional practice component of the program may be by written or oral examination following the completion of the component or by assessment reports on an internship or other form of professional practice.
3.48(6) A reference in this rule to a written examination includes a reference:
(a) to the examination of a candidate by reports by the candidate’s supervisors about the candidate’s performance during:
(i) internships; or
(ii) other form of professional practice; and
(b) in relation to an academic program offered by the School of Art or the School of Music in the Faculty of Arts, to the examination of:
(i) an exhibition; or
(ii) a performance; or
(iii) a folio of original works.
Subdivision 3.10.2: Theses
3.49 Theses
3.49(1) If a candidate is required to submit a thesis, the candidate must submit a thesis in a form approved by the prescribed authority in accordance with the Orders.
3.49(2) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, by Order, determine the form a thesis is to take and the number of copies to be submitted.
3.50 Examination of theses
3.50(1) A thesis must incorporate an account of research done during the program and its result and, if the research is on more than 1 topic, must demonstrate the relationship between the topics.
3.50(2) A thesis based upon research conducted jointly with another person must clearly indicate the nature and extent of the candidate's contribution to the research.
3.50(3) A candidate must clearly mark in the thesis, material which has been previously submitted by the candidate for the purpose of obtaining a degree of any university or other tertiary education institution.
3.50(4) A thesis must not be accepted for examination unless, in the opinion of the prescribed authority, it consists preponderantly of material not previously so submitted.
3.50(5) A thesis that has been published may be submitted in published form, subject to the approval of the prescribed authority.
3.50(6) Not less than 2 months before submitting a thesis, a candidate must give notice to the prescribed authority, in the approved form, of intention to submit the thesis.
3.50(7) A candidate must submit the thesis by delivering the requisite number of copies to the prescribed authority.
3.51 Examiners of thesis
3.51(1) On the recommendation of the supervisor, the prescribed authority must appoint no fewer than 2 examiners of a thesis.
3.51(2) Unless the prescribed authority otherwise determines, at least one of the examiners appointed under this rule must be a person who is not a member of the staff of the University.
3.51(3) A supervisor must not be appointed as an examiner under this rule.
3.51(4) To resolve ambiguities or disagreements or avoid delays in relation to the examination of a particular candidate, the prescribed authority, acting on the advice of the supervisor, may at any time appoint an additional examiner.
3.51(5) The prescribed authority may, at the request of an examiner, nominate a person other than a candidate’s supervisor to provide further information about the candidate’s thesis or, in the case of joint work, the candidate’s contribution to the thesis.
3.52 Prohibited communications
3.52(1) An examiner must not communicate directly with:
(a) a candidate whose work he or she is examining; or
(b) a supervisor of the candidate.
3.52(2) A candidate must not communicate directly with an examiner of his or her work.
Subdivision 3.10.3: Results
3.53 Decision about results
3.53(1) After consideration of the examiners' reports, the prescribed authority may:
(a) decide that the candidate be granted the award; or
(b) require the candidate to be re-examined by resubmission of thesis or re-examination of other coursework or both, as the case requires; or
(c) decide that the candidate has failed.
3.53(2) However, if the prescribed authority is satisfied that the overall results obtained by the candidate, both in the assessment of the thesis and in examination of the coursework and any other examinations not related to the assessment of the thesis, are satisfactory, the prescribed authority must decide that the candidate be granted the award.
3.53(3) Re-examination may be by revision and re-submission of a thesis, or otherwise in accordance with the Examinations (The Faculties) Rules 2005 (which are to be applied as nearly as possible in relation to examinations for coursework, with such necessary or convenient modifications, additions and omissions as are determined by the prescribed authority), or by a combination of either of those methods as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) determines.
3.54 Results of re-examination
3.54(1) After consideration of the examiners’ reports on a re-examination of the candidate and of the observations of the head of the relevant academic section, the prescribed authority may decide as provided in paragraph 3.53(1)(a) or 3.53(1)(c).
3.55 Candidate's right of appeal
3.55(1) The hearing and determination of an appeal against a decision to fail a candidate is to be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Part 4.
3.56 Notification of decisions
3.56(1) If a prescribed authority makes a decision:
(a) terminating a candidature under rule 3.27; or
(b) that a candidate has failed;
the Director SAS must notify the candidate in writing of the decision, and must include in the notice:
(c) a statement to the effect that, subject to these Rules, the candidate is entitled to appeal against the decision; and
(d) a statement setting out the procedure for lodging an appeal.
3.56(2) The validity of a decision referred to in paragraph 3.56(1)(a) or 3.56(1)(b) is not affected by a failure to include in a notice, statements in accordance with paragraph 3.56(1)(c) or 3.56(1)(d).
3.57 Granting of award
3.57(1) If the prescribed authority decides that a candidate be granted an award, the award may be granted at the level determined by the prescribed authority.
[NOTE: Rule 17 of the Discipline Rules 2006 provides for withholding of awards where obligations to the University have not been met.]