Master of Arts

The Master of Arts is designed to enable graduates to pursue further studies in an area of personal interest, for professional development, or as a pathway to higher degree research, by studying a number of graduate level units.

Whilst completing their major, students are able to tailor a program of study to suit their interests by enrolling in units within the one subject area, or selecting units from a range of subject areas, as listed for this course.

Course Aims

This course offers those people who have already completed an undergraduate degree the opportunity to continue university study, either to further career or professional aspirations or to pursue a specific area of interest. The course can also provide an avenue into a research degree such as a research Masters or PhD (in order to qualify for a PhD a Masters must include an independant research unit of 12 credit points or greater). Students can complete a specific course of study (ie, badged Major). The course also provides the opportunity to complete reading and dissertation (research) units. The major subject areas are provided from the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: appreciate and apply expert knowledge of specific subject areas, including recent development, research principles and inter-disciplinary approaches and practice; demonstrate and apply mastery of higher level research and communication skills including theoretical, technical and analytical concepts to their research; and utilise enhanced critical thinking and analytical skills with creativity and initiative in a variety of academic settings, including a research project and capstone experience, with high level personal output.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will have detailed and higher level knowledge of selected subject areas and disciplines that will be taught through unit materials, online discussions, guided readings, directed learning and research activities. This will include an appreciation of the processes through which knowledge has evolved. This knowledge is practised and assessed through a variety of discipline relevant assignment tasks. Communication Skills Graduates will have advanced skills to communicate and substantiate the results of research and analysis in a variety of written and multi-media formats. These skills are taught through guided learning activities, oral and written feedback on assignments and online discussions. They will be practised through participation in online discussions and through written or other forms of assignments relevant to the area of study with particular acknowledgement of the diversity of communication styles and forms employed by different disciplines and by individuals from different cultural backgrounds. They are assessed through assignment work and against criteria relevant to the specific form of communication and to the subject area being studied. Problem Solving Graduates will have a deep knowledge of key problem-solving strategies relevant to their selected subject areas. They will be able to apply their information literacy skills to develop their own responses to particular problems in different environments and contexts. Information Literacy Graduates will develop and practice a range of higher level research skills relevant to their selected subject areas and disciplines, including inter-disciplinary approaches. These include awareness of the level and nature of information required and where and how it can be acquired; relevant methods for analysing and evaluating information; and the use of information to demonstrate their understanding of topics and issues and to do so in different forms and media, depending on subject and discipline requirements. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Graduates will have advanced understanding of their professional and ethical responsibilities to provide balanced and accurate research; their social responsibility to recognise and address social justice issues; and their need for awareness and action in relation to issues such as the impact of social change, sustainable development, Indigenous rights and occupational risk. These are taught, practised and assessed in accordance with the requirements and understandings relevant to their different disciplinary, inter-disciplinary and professional areas of study and interest. Lifelong Learning Graduates will develop lifelong skills to continue to research, evaluate, discuss and present information and issues in a variety of contexts and for a variety of purposes. The skills they will acquire, both disciplinary and inter-disciplinary, will be useful in a range of professional and community settings. Independence and Collaboration Graduates will be able to exercise responsibility and accountability for their own learning and professional practice as well as the ability to work collaboratively with others. Through online discussions and teaching and learning activities, graduates are required to work collaboratively and network effectively in the sharing of resources and ideas, and in order to solve problems. They will understand and practise an appreciation of different approaches and styles, be supportive of each other, and assert their own values and opinions while respecting the values and contributions of others. These skills and awareness are reinforced through discipline-specific tasks, discussions and activities relating to strategies for effective collaborative work as students, as community members and in professional contexts.