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Program objectives

Successful completion of the program will enable graduates to:

• demonstrate analytical, critical and creative thinking on their professional practice, work place applications and relevant theory;

• postulate directions for the investigation of unsolved problems in their work place

• demonstrate a high level of skill in identifying, analysing and synthesising complex information, concepts and theories in choosing and implementing solutions appropriate for addressing hypotheses related to work-based capacity building, professional practice and innovation

• undertake and write professional, evidence-based reports on projects relating to their professional practice

• demonstrate an awareness of the limitations of their projects and manage these limitations by generating and evaluating complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level

• demonstrate a high level of skill in assessing and addressing ethical/confidential concerns in their study and related professional practice

• develop work-based project plans and outcomes that integrate theory and practice and present this using communication and technical research skills that justify conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences

• evaluate, analyse and report the results of their projects that contribute to professional practice and scholarship in a manner appropriate to their audience.

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Program aims

The aim of this program is to provide experienced professionals with the opportunities to demonstrate, autonomously and creatively the application of knowledge and skills in their professional practice and further learning. Creativity and initiative are encouraged in engaging issues that are relevant and meaningful to their professional practice and work place challenges, helping to build the capacity and resilience of the student鈥檚 organisations/communities and contribute to their self-directed learning and career development.

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Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a single national, comprehensive system of qualifications offered by higher education institutions (including universities), vocational education and training institutions and secondary schools. Each AQF qualification has a set of descriptors which define the type and complexity of knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills that a graduate who has been awarded that qualification has attained, and the typical volume of learning associated with that qualification type.

This program is at AQF Qualification Level 09. Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for research, and/or professional practice and/or further learning.

The full set of levels criteria and qualification type descriptors can be found by visiting .

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Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Completion of an Australian university Bachelor degree or equivalent, and

• A minimum of five years' work experience in the chosen field of professional practice.

• English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 3.

Admission to the Master of Professional Studies is by completed online application and interview.
Anyone wishing to gain entry to the program on the basis of equivalent qualifications and/or experience should contact the 精东传媒app for consideration for admission on this basis.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable .

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a 精东传媒app-approved . On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

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Program fees

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called provided they meet the residency and citizenship requirements.

Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for .

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

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Program structure

The Master of Professional Studies is a 12-unit program made up of four sections:

1. Compulsory course: All students are required to take the 2 unit course which includes:

   • The theoretical principles underpinning the professional studies program

   • Reflective practice (optional RPL portfolio, see 鈥淐redit鈥�)

   • Research philosophies and methods

   • Critical thinking in professional practice

   • Ethics in research and in professional practice

   • Project management fundamentals

   • The development of a work-based project(s) and Work-Based Research Project Proposal

   
   

2. Work-based Research Projects: Students are required to complete a minimum of 4 units, and up to a maximum of 8 units and of work-based research projects. As part of the , students will prepare a work-based research project plan that includes detailed information on the specific learning outcomes, the project鈥檚 implementation, anticipated contribution to practice and organisational development that are to be achieved through the implementation of the research project. Students are required to complete a minimum of four units of supervised project work culminating in a dissertation (minimum 15000 words) or equivalent body of work which will include artefacts that have been developed in the course.

3. Optional Elective Postgraduate course work:Students may elect to enrol in up to four units of advanced coursework to enhance their professional practice capacity. They may select up to four x 1-unit electives at postgraduate level, from Arts courses or other courses offered by the 精东传媒app of Southern Queensland (eg. Professional Communications; Community Participation & Engagement; International Relations; Cultural or Critical Theory; Identity, self and society; Health Sciences, Engineering; Education; Leadership and Management 鈥� you are encouraged to discuss the broad variety of options available with your supervisor). The intention of this option, based on a student design curriculum focus, is to give students the opportunity to customise their learning by completing courses that enhance their methodological and professional knowledge. Students must seek the prior approval of the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts before enrolling in the elective courses.

4. Optional Publishable Article: Students may elect to formulate and submit for blind review, a publication representing the study鈥檚 (or part thereof) contribution to practice and/or relevant theory as appropriate. The article equates to 2 units and is assessed following standard academic blind peer-review processes. The purpose of this option is to illustrate against prevailing benchmarks, the specialised knowledge and skills associated with the student鈥檚 relevant professional practice and demonstrate the appropriate cognitive and technical skills required at this qualification level. Peer reviewers will include independent academic and/or practice-based experts who will assess whether the work is publishable and meets the requisite critical, creative, analytical and communications skills associated with the Masters level qualification.

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Program completion requirements

To graduate from the Master of Professional Studies a candidate must complete a minimum of twelve course units comprising no less than the completion of the core course and the work-based research project and . Students are required to compile a final master鈥檚 dissertation (minimum of 15,000 words including artefacts developed in the course and generated from the work-based project) or equivalent body of work for final examination by independent examiners. Students electing to complete a further work-based project and are required to compile a final master鈥檚 dissertation (minimum 25,000 words including relevant artefacts developed in the course and generated from the work-based projects) or equivalent body of work for final examination by independent examiners.

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Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 4 years to complete this program.

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IT requirements

Computer literacy is now expected as part of professional life, and as an integral element in the studying and learning process. Many courses make use of the Internet through online discussion groups and course web pages. Students must have reliable and ready access to e-mail and the internet. Broadband access would be a significant advantage.

Please refer to

Twenty-four hour computer access is available at USQ.

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Exit points

The exit point for students who do not complete the requirements of the Master of Professional Studies is the Graduate Certificate of Professional Studies. Students will be eligible for this award if, whilst enrolled in the Master of Professional Studies they have enrolled and completed at least 4 units at USQ.

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Credit

Students entering the program with a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) or an Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma (AQF level 8) may apply for up to six units of credit. The application for credit based on accredited prior learning normally is submitted when applying for admission to the program

Formal assessment of non-accredited prior learning is developed in the course and is the only method of applying for consideration for credit for non-accredited prior learning (RPL).

The total number of credits granted will vary according to the assessed level of experience and expertise that can be shown to be of relevance to the student鈥檚 intended work-based research project/s.

A maximum of six units of credit may be granted, which may be non-course specific. USQ is a participating university in the Professional Development Pathways initiative, and appropriate credit will be given in accordance with the scheme.

Credit for accredited prior learning and non-accredited prior learning may not exceed a maximum of six units in total.

Recommended enrolment patterns

In this section:

• Recommended enrolment pattern
• Recommended enrolment pattern for students undertaking a work-based project with no electives
• Recommended enrolment pattern for students with up to 4 units of electives and/or the Publishable Article
• Recommended enrolment pattern for students planning credit through recognition of prior learning

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Recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

Students may be admitted to the program at the beginning of Semester 1 or Semester 2 or Semester 3.

The 鈥榮tandard鈥� rate of progression for part-time students is 4 units per year for three years. Students are able to accelerate their progression through the program by enrolling in Semester 3 courses. Students should undertake the course at the commencement of their program and prior to their enrolment in the course unless agreed otherwise with their supervisor.

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Recommended enrolment pattern for students undertaking a work-based project with no electives

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Recommended enrolment pattern for students with up to 4 units of electives and/or the Publishable Article

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Recommended enrolment pattern for students planning credit through recognition of prior learning

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

A maximum of six units of credit can be given. The balance of units required to complete the Masters program (12 units) must include the compulsory completion of and . Further, completion of and/or electives and/or may be selected depending on the balance of units required to complete the 12 unit program.

Students are required to enrol in and over a minimum of two successive semesters thus accumulating 4 units in total upon completion of their dissertation or equivalent body of work. If an additional 4 units of work-based research project is required as part of their enrolment pattern, students are required to enrol for a minimum of two semesters in and . In terms of the latter enrolment pattern, assessment of the requisite body of work is undertaken during and not (please see 鈥淧rogram completion requirements鈥� above).

An elective may be required in the event of RPL outcomes giving an odd number of units of credit when combined with and or .