Master of Applied Science
Master of Arts
The Masters programs are designed to develop innovative researchers who can contribute to professional practice, industry, government service and public policy. The program is intended for those with appropriate academic qualifications who wish to pursue independent or collaborative research in the developing areas of exercise and sport science, performance making, performance and culture, sport and culture, and sport and recreation management.
Course Structure:
The Masters is an intense, two-year (or part-time equivalent) period of supervised independent study and collaborative research. The degree of Master of Applied Science or Master of Arts is awarded to successful candidates who have made a modest contribution to the body of knowledge or practice in a particular discipline or field. A 'modest' contribution means the development of new theories, methods or practices, or the application of existing theories, methods or practices to new areas.
Students in a Masters program should be able to demonstrate the resourcefulness and academic rigour required of an independent and collaborative researcher. This will involve the following:
- Identify or construct a research issue or problem.
- Critically engage with relevant research methods or practice related to the issue or problem.
- Determine or develop appropriate methods (including ethics) to address the issue or problem.
- Undertake analysis and evaluation of procedures and outcomes in a manner appropriate to the
- research discipline.
- Publicly present the whole process in a formal thesis and/or other appropriate format for peer review and grading.
The successful completion of a Masters by Research will require the following:
- A thesis or performance or a combination of a thesis and performance undertaken with appropriate supervision.
- The undertaking and successful completion of an appropriate research design subject (and perhaps concurrent coursework studies), where appropriate.
- The presentation of the candidature proposal to an appropriate research support group or other appropriate body.
- The approval of a candidature proposal by the Faculty Research and Graduate Studies Committee and, where necessary, the Faculty's Human Research Ethics Committee.
- Satisfactory Progress Reports on a semester by semester basis.
- The satisfactory completion of the final thesis or performance as assessed by two external specialists in the discipline or field of the research.
Course Duration:
The standard duration of a Masters by Research varies according to an enrolling student's prior qualifications. Where an enrolling student holds a three-year undergraduate degree, the duration will be two years of full-time study or part-time equivalent. In the case where an enrolling student holds an honours degree in a closely related discipline, or the equivalent research/professional experience, the standard duration is eighteen months of full-time study or part-time equivalent. The standard duration can be extended or reduced by twelve months, however it cannot be reduced to less than twelve months.
Entry Requirements:
Applicants for the Masters program must have attained an outstanding level of achievement in a:
- Bachelor of Applied Science-Human Movement (or its equivalent); or
- Bachelor of Arts-Recreation Management (or its equivalent); or
- Bachelor of Arts-Performance Studies (or its equivalent); or
- A related Bachelor degree or professional practice
Students without a research methods background are required to undertake an appropriate postgraduate research methods subject within their first year of study.
