Master of Arts - Research

Important Note: this course has replaced the former Master of Arts (Honours) by Research. Students currently enrolled in that course may complete the degree under that course title and course code, but it is closed to new enrolments.

Entry to the program
There are two entry points for this degree:

1. From the Bachelor of Arts. Students entering the degree from the Bachelor of Arts (Pass) degree will complete a 72 credit point degree, consisting of the 24 credit point subjects, ARTS901 Master of Arts Research Methods and subject to satisfactory completion of the coursework component (see below in Program Structure) a 48 credit point thesis in a discipline or interdisciplinary area.

2. From the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or the Master of Arts by Coursework (or equivalent qualification). Students having a Bachelor of Arts with Honours Class II, division ii or higher or a Master of Arts by Coursework (or equivalent) may apply for admission into the Master of Arts - Research degree with Advanced Standing for the 24cp of coursework. They will then complete a 48 credit point thesis in a discipline or interdisciplinary area.

All applications must be approved by the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies and Research). Approval also depends on the availability of supervision within the Faculty for the proposed thesis.

Time limits
Full time students should complete the 72 credit point degree in no fewer than three sessions (not including Summer Session) and not more than four sessions (not including Summer Session). Full-time students should complete the 48 credit point course in no fewer than two sessions (not including Summer Session and not more than four sessions (not including Summer Session). Part-time students normally complete half of the full-time load and take proportionately longer to complete the degree.

Program Structure
(a) Entry from the Bachelor of Arts (Pass degree) or equivalent: Students will complete one 48 credit point thesis in a field of study and the 24 credit point coursework subject, ARTS901 Master of Arts Research Methods:

Students who achieve a Credit average or higher in ARTS901 will proceed to the thesis component of the degree. Students who achieve a Pass average in this subject will be offered the opportunity to transfer to the Master of Arts by Coursework with 24 credit points of Advanced Standing.

The thesis topic will be determined by discussion between the student and the Postgraduate Co-ordinator in the Program in which the student is enrolled.

The 24 credit point Coursework subject, ARTS901, Master of Arts Research Methods, provides students with training in the theories and research methodologies current in their chosen areas. This training involves three modules of study:

• a specific theory and methods module;
  
• an advanced content-based module in the student's discipline area;
  
• a module in which the student writes a detailed research proposal for the Master of Arts thesis.

The precise content of these modules will be determined on a case-by-case basis, with the student and the Academic Program. It will be approved by the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies and Research)

The content-based subject will normally be selected from the range of subjects available in the Master of Arts by Coursework in the student's chosen discipline or interdisciplinary area of study.

(b) Entry from the BA (Honours) or equivalent: Students who have completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree with Class II division ii or higher, or appropriate research subjects in the Master of Arts by Coursework may apply for Advanced Standing for the 24cp of coursework. They will then enrol in the 48 Credit Point thesis subject in one of the following fields of study.

Fields of Study
Students of the Faculty enrol for the MA - Research in one of the following areas.