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Course Transfers

1. Upgrading from Masters by Research to Doctoral degree

Students enrolled in a Masters by Research degree who wish to transfer to a Doctoral degree in the same field of study must meet the following criteria:

a..... The candidate must have completed sufficient study in the Masters-Research program at this University to allow an assessment of the capacity of the student to undertake independent research. This would normally mean that candidates admitted to a program greater than 48 credit points would complete required coursework components of the degree and have completed approximately nine (9) months of equivalent full-time candidature of their thesis component prior to application to transfer to a Doctoral degree.

b..... Prove their capacity to undertake independent research by presenting a seminar reporting on the research topic to a group which must include:

i. the primary supervisor;

ii. a representative from the Thesis Examination Committee (TEC) or their representative;

iii. the Chair of the Faculty Research Committee (FRC) or the Head of Postgraduate Studies (HPS).

c..... Provide a written research proposal to the Committee noted in point 'b' above.

d..... An 'HDR Course Transfer Report' on the candidate's seminar will be prepared by the HPS. The 'HDR Course Transfer Report', signed by the representative from the TEC, FRC or HPS will be presented to the TEC for final approval.

If approved by the TEC, the RSC will transfer enrolment.

2. Upgrading from Masters in Clinical Psychology to Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) Or Doctor of Psychology

The Doctor of Psychology (DPsyc) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Clinical Psychology degrees are advanced research degrees specialising in the field of Clinical Psychology. Because the programs are very demanding in terms of having to conduct feasible, applied clinical research, and the other demands of the advance practical training, students are commonly advised to enrol first in the Masters program. This will allow them to demonstrate competence at an appropriate level (distinction standard) and show that they have a feasible project and appropriate supervision required for Doctorate level research. Within the Masters year, students are required to review the literature and collect pilot data to demonstrate proof of concept of their ideas, prior to applying to transfer. Typically, only a small number of candidates (approximately 4) transfer into the DPsyc or PhD programs each year.

Students enrolled in a Masters in Clinical Psychology (MCP) degree who wish to transfer to a PhD (Clinical Psychology) or DPsyc must meet the following criteria:

a..... The candidate must have completed sufficient study in the MCP program at this University to allow an assessment of the capacity of the student to undertake independent research. This would normally mean that candidates admitted to a MCP program would complete at least one year of equivalent full-time required coursework components of the degree, with a Distinction average, prior to application to transfer to the PHD (Clinical Psychology) or DPsyc;

AND

b..... Prove their capacity to undertake independent research by presenting an oral proposal on the research topic to a Committee which must include:

i. the primary supervisor;

ii. a representative from the Thesis Examination Committee (TEC) or their representative;

iii. the Chair of the Faculty Research Committee (FRC) or the Head of Postgraduate Studies (HPS).

AND

c..... Provide a written research proposal to the Committee noted in point 'b' above.

AND

d..... Respond in writing to the Committee's feedback on the oral presentation noted in point 'b' above;

If the candidate is successful in meeting all of the criteria above, a report on the candidate will be prepared by the primary supervisor. The report, signed by supervisor, the representative from the TEC and the FRC or HPS will be presented to the TEC for final approval.

If approved by the TEC, the RSC will transfer enrolment.

Note: Upgrades from any coursework degree, other than the Masters in Clinical Psychology, to a research degree is NOT permitted.

3. Transferring from a Professional Research Doctorate to a PhD

Students enrolled in a Professional Doctorate (where the program has a research component that is at least two thirds research) who wish to transfer to a PhD in the same field of study must meet the following criteria:

a..... The candidate must have completed sufficient study in the Professional Doctorate program (or through previous study - E.g. an Hons at another uni prior to undertaking Prof doct.) at this University to allow an assessment of the capacity of the student to undertake independent research.

b..... The candidate should prove their capacity to undertake independent research by presenting a proposal seminar reporting on the research topic and the proposed research to be undertaken for the PhD to a group which must include:

i. the primary supervisor;

ii. a representative from the Thesis Examination Committee (TEC) or their representative;

iii. the Chair of the Faculty Research Committee (FRC) or the Head of Postgraduate Studies (HPS),

c..... Provide a written research proposal to the Committee noted in point ii above.

d..... A report on the candidate's seminar will be prepared by the primary supervisor. The report, signed by the representative from the TEC, FRC or HPS will be presented to the TEC for final approval.

If approved by the TEC, the RSC will transfer enrolment. Note that if the transfer is accepted, the student will have satisfied the research proposal requirement for the PhD degree.

4. Transferring from a PhD to a Professional Research Doctorate

The Professional Doctorate programs are structured around a combination of coursework and research. A person enrolled in a PhD program will have been accepted into the PhD on the basis of their research potential. Thus, they will meet any research-specific requirements for enrolment in a professional doctorate and will not be required to present a proposal as a prerequisite for enrolment (however, they will still be required to present their 1st year proposal).

Transfers from a PhD to a Professional Doctorate therefore will be actioned by RSC after receipt of written approval from the Head of the Academic Unit. This written advice must include all details of the transfer including supervision and thesis requirements and any other course requirements and/or conditions.

There may be other special requirements for entry into a professional doctorate in specific disciplines (e.g. a portfolio or interview) which they will have to meet before a transfer of enrolment is approved.

5. Downgrading from PhD to Masters by Research

Should a student wish to downgrade from a PhD to a Masters by Research degree, the Head of Academic Unit should approve the transfer in a memo to the Research Student Centre who will adjust the enrolment accordingly.

Please note that if the student has already completed the requirements for a Masters by Research degree at the time of transfer, wish to graduate, they should submit a graduation application form

6. Downgrading from a Research Degree to a Coursework Degree

Under the current higher education legislation it is not possible for students in a research degree to exit with a coursework degree. Students may transfer between research degrees, as detailed above or may cease study and apply for admission to a coursework program as a new course. In this case, the maximum amount advanced standing that may be received for the coursework degree is 25% of the degree.