Course and Subject Handbook 2014 Course Information Postgraduate Courses Master of Social Science

Master of Social Science

Information valid for students commencing in 2014.

Course Code

103404

Version

3

Faculty

Arts, Education and Social Sciences

Award Requirements

Course Structure

Candidature

Progression

Advanced Standing

Award Details

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites

Completion of a bachelor degree, or a bachelor degree with honours, or equivalent degree, from this or another university; or

Completion of a postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma in a relevant area from this university, and a minimum of at least five years academic and professional experience in a cognate discipline; or

Other qualifications recognised by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Sciences as equivalent to the above.

Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements

Students of non-English speaking backgrounds must have an adequate English language capacity assessed under the Australian International English Language Testing System (IELTS).  The IELTS score required for admission to this course can be found in Schedule I of the JCU Admissions policy.

Additional selection requirements

Nil

Special admission requirements

Nil

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Master of Social Science, graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate and reflect critically on advanced and integrated knowledge of social theory, practice and professional ethics in a single discipline or interdisciplinary field of the social sciences

  • Demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods in a single discipline or interdisciplinary fields of the social sciences

  • Analyse critically and evaluate social systems, institutions, structures and/or practices

  • Generate, analyse, synthesise and evaluate complex perspectives, arguments and sources of qualitative and/or quantitative data pertinent to complex social, political, historical, economic, environmental and/or cultural issues, particularly those related to quality of life in the tropics worldwide

  • Interpret and justify to a specialist and non-specialist audience theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions through advanced literacy and, where appropriate, numeracy skills

  • Design and execute a substantial social science research-based project with a high level of autonomy and accountability

  • Apply social theory to research, demonstrating advanced understanding of the relationship between theory and practice, including recent developments, in a single discipline or interdisciplinary fields of the social sciences

  • Respectfully and responsibly apply expert knowledge of diversity and difference among people, especially vulnerable and Indigenous peoples, in scholarship and/or professional practice

  • Adapt and apply knowledge and skills to identify complex problems and pose creative solutions to social and/or environmental challenges facing peoples and societies in diverse tropical contexts worldwide.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

36 credit points as per course structure

Additional course rules

Nil

Additional completion requirements

Nil

Course Structure

Core Subjects

SS5103:06 Post-Graduate Research Methods for the Social Sciences or 6 credit points of advanced standing if completed an honours degree or equivalent

PLUS

SS5012:12 Social Science Coursework Thesis or 12 credit points of general advanced standing for 2 years equivalent professional experience approval by Major Coordinator or 12 credit points of negotiated coursework subjects approved by Major Coordinator

Options

Select a major from the table below.

Majors

Type of major

Mandatory

Single

Credit points in major

18 credit points

Special requirements

Nil

MAJOR

AVAILABLE AT

NOTES

Asia-Pacific Governance and Development

Cairns

Townsville

 

Criminology

Cairns

Townsville

 

Environment and Heritage

Cairns

Townsville

 

Indigenous Studies

Cairns

Townsville

 

Campus

COURSE AVAILABLE AT

NOTES

Cairns

 

Townsville

 

Candidature

Expected time to complete

18 months full-time or equivalent part-time

Maximum time to complete

5 years

Maximum leave of absence

1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites

Nil

Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)

No

Special assessment requirements

Nil

Accreditation requirements

Nil

Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade

Nil

Supplementary exam for final subject

A candidate who has failed the final subject towards the award and who gained 40% or more of the marks for that subject may be granted a supplementary examination in that subject. However if that subject is required for accreditation, then the criteria specified by that accreditation will apply.

Advanced Standing

Eligibility

Candidates may apply for advanced standing for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Advanced Standing for Previous Studies and Recognised Prior Learning policy associated procedures.

Maximum allowed

12 credit points, unless part of an approved articulation process.

Currency

Advanced standing will be granted only for studies completed in the 5 years prior to the commencement of this course.

Expiry

Advanced standing gained for any subject shall be cancelled 10 years after the date of the examination upon which the advanced standing is based if, by then, the candidate has not completed this course.

Other restrictions

Not applicable

Award Details

Inclusion of majors on testamur

The major studied shall appear on the testamur.

Exit with lesser award

Candidates who exit the course prior to completion, and have completed the relevant number of credit points and appropriate subjects, may be eligible for one of the following awards:

  • Graduate Certificate of Arts

  • Graduate Diploma of Social Science

Course articulation

Not applicable