Master of Aboriginal Studies

University of South Australia

About

This postgraduate qualification is designed for students of any discipline with an interest in Aboriginal history, culture, politics and education.

It will provide you with a broad knowledge of Aboriginal issues and world views as they relate to health, law, history, education, environment, policy and research.

You will graduate with knowledge of research methodologies and the project management skills needed to work with various Indigenous groups.

This two-year degree forms part of a nested suite of degrees, which means that if you decide to exit early, you will graduate with a Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Studies or a Graduate Diploma in Aboriginal Studies, depending on the number of courses studied.

You can choose to study this degree on-campus or online.

Part-time study options are also available.

ADVANCED STANDING Applicants may be eligible to enter the program with Advanced Standing and complete the requirements of the Masters in less than two years.

Please see the entry requirements for further details.

When applying through SATAC, please refer to the following codes.

Applicants who are uncertain about their eligibility for Advanced Standing are encouraged to include more than one SATAC code in their list of application preferences.

2 years- SATAC CODE 4CM130 1.5 year- SATAC CODE 4CM138 1 year- SATAC CODE 4CM139

Structure

Course name	Area and cat no	Units	Reference	Rules
FIRST YEAR
Cultural Competency: Challenging Racism in Australian and Indigenous Contexts	SOCU 5018	4.5		Rule(s): 1,2
Law and Land	SOCU 5013	4.5		Rule(s): 1,2
Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing	SOCU 5011	4.5		Rule(s): 1,2
Australian Indigenous Languages, Identity and Belonging	SOCU 5017	4.5		Rule(s): 1,2
Aboriginal Futures	SOCU 5010	4.5		Rule(s): 2
The Politics of Representation	POLI 5016	4.5		Rule(s): 2
Indigenous Perspectives on Globalisation	SOCU 5012	4.5		Rule(s): 2
Aboriginal Studies Master Class	SOCU 5020	4.5	Note(s): 5	Rule(s): 2
SECOND YEAR
Aboriginal Research Methods and Ethics	SOCU 6001	9
Pitjantjatjara Culture and Language	LANG 5029	4.5	Note(s): 4
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2
Research Thesis 1	SOCU 5023	9	Note(s): 3
Research Thesis 2	SOCU 5024	9	Note(s): 3

Entry requirements

Applicants must have completed a three-year Bachelor degree in any discipline or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution.

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor degree or a Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal or indigenous studies are eligible to enter the program with 0.5 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1.5 years of full time study or equivalent part time study.

Applicants who have completed a Graduate Diploma in Aboriginal or indigenous studies are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study.

Learning outcomes

This master degree enables you to explore Aboriginal culture, society and history as they relate to a broad range of disciplines, including:

health
law
history
education
environment
policy
research

Through a mix of theoretical and practical learning, you will cover topics relating to the global, cultural, social and political themes relevant to your area of interest. You will complete a selection of core subjects and an elective, as well as a research project or a minor thesis. You will also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience when you work within the community, or learn about research methodologies in preparation for the completion of your project.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

A number of our academics and lecturers are Aboriginal professionals who offer a wealth of valuable experience and knowledge. We also host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

This degree is offered online. This means that you:

will study online, including accessing access videos and course resources

Your career

Graduates from this specialisation find work as project officers, community service personnel and executive officers across a range of industries and business areas. Graduates may be employed by:

public service
human and community service organisations
private sector organisations

Applying to study with us:

go to the top of this page and make note of the relevant SATAC code (see below) then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Advanced standing

You may be eligible for Advanced Standing and complete the requirements of this qualification in less than 2 years. Please see entry requirements for further details. When applying through SATAC, please refer to the codes below. If you are uncertain about your eligibility for Advanced Standing, please include more than one SATAC code in your list of application preferences.

2 years - SATAC CODE 4CM130
1.5 year - SATAC CODE 4CM138
1 year - SATAC CODE 4CM139

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and areas that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, a perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services can make your life at university easier. We provide a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling. You can also access a range of services through our students association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

Institution