Master of Creative Arts - Research

Testamur Title of Degree:	Master of Creative Arts - Research
Abbreviation:	MCA-Res
My University:	Creative arts, creative writing, graphic design, theatre, visual arts, music, animation, drama, acting, drawing, electronic art, digital arts, digital media, fine arts, media arts, painting, performance, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, fibres
Duration:	1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Total Credit Points:	72
Delivery Mode:	Coursework component - On Campus* Supervised individual research/creative project
Starting Session(s):	Autumn or Spring
Location:	Wollongong
UOW Course Code:	1302
CRICOS Code:	044409M

* This course is not available in 2013. Students wishing to study a Creative Arts Research Masters degree should apply to enrol in the Master of Philosophy.

Overview

The Master of Creative Arts - Research is a course for high level creative arts practitioners who wish to extend their practice within a scholarly context but who do not possess the requirements for entry to the Doctoral program. It normally consists of one 24 credit point coursework subject plus a major presentation of creative work. In some cases, it may be possible to apply to transfer to the Doctor of Creative Arts after a suitable period of study (normally at least the equivalent of nine months of full-time enrolment).

It may be possible for individuals with appropriate expertise to undertake studies that involve more than one discipline area.

Entry Requirements / Assumed Knowledge

Applicants should hold an appropriate Bachelor degree with Honours Class II, Division 1 or higher (or its equivalent) and be able to demonstrate evidence of strong artistic attainment/potential. Examples of artistic attainment and potential include publication or professional dissemination of work; grants, fellowships and prizes; high-level professional activity; and various indicators relevant to the specific discipline.

Credit Transfer

Applicants who have completed other relevant qualifications deemed to be equivalent may be granted credit transfer for the 24 credit point coursework subject. Students seeking credit transfer are advised to contact the Faculty or UniAdvice for further details and refer to the General Course Rules.

Course Requirements

Students must complete the 24 credit point coursework subject CREA921. Students also enrol in THES924 Thesis (full-time) or THES912 Thesis (part-time) under which they complete a major presentation of creative work. The submission of creative work will normally be by exhibition, performance or presentation in the area of the major, supported by written documentation (approximately 5,000 words) focusing on aspects such as origins of the work, structures and techniques used, and artistic theories underpinning the work. The Faculty requires that students submit their written documentation no later than the date of examination of their final exhibition or performance, except under extraordinary circumstances approved by the supervisor and Head of Postgraduate Studies. Students presenting folios, for example literary manuscripts or music compositions, should place their dissertation and folio together in one submission for examination.

The following is intended as a guide to the scale and style of the creative work submission.

Creative Writing: Substantial folio of creative writing which may take the form of a large-scale project such as a novel (50,000 words), poetry collection (64 single-spaced pages) or script (75 minutes duration), or a combination of smaller pieces.

Graphic Design: Graphic design portfolio/exhibition and/or website/CD-Rom. As an example of content, designers would submit 10 to 15 graphic design works. Web designers would submit a major interactive web site or at least three smaller sites on the net. Multimedia designers would submit a substantial interactive CD-Rom that demonstrates an innovative and professional design approach. All students must submit design roughs and supporting material for exhibition.

Media Arts: Major solo exhibition of new media artwork plus documented preliminary exhibitions.

Music Composition: Folio of compositions including up to five compositions and at least one work that employs large resources or performance media.

Performance - Theatre: Demonstration of proficiency and artistry in one of the following: directing, dramaturgy or performance in a production of 45 to 60 minutes duration.

Visual Arts: Major solo exhibition of artwork plus documented preliminary exhibitions. As an example of content, painters should submit at least eight to 12 major pieces, plus drawings and supporting material of exhibition standard. Equivalent amounts of work will be expected of students working in other areas of the visual arts.

Assessment for the Master of Creative Arts - Research is by two external assessors.

For further information on Awards or Degree Rules, please see the General Course Rules.

Course Program

Subjects		Session	Credit Points
CREA921	Research Topics in Creative Arts	Annual, Autumn, Spring and/or Spring/Autumn	24
PLUS:
THES924	Thesis full-time	Autumn and/or Spring	48
OR
THES912	Thesis part-time	Autumn and/or Spring	48

Major Study Areas

Refer to listing under Doctor of Creative Arts entry.

Assessment

On commencement, students and their supervisors complete a Commencement of Candidature Form that confirms the expectations of the candidacy, particularly for the first year, the research/creative topic, a plan and timetable for the creative work and dissertation, and resource needs and skills required to complete the project. Students meet regularly with their supervisors to ensure that their progress is in line with the agreed plan. Students and supervisors must also submit an Annual Progress Report (APR). The APR is the means by which the University assesses the progress of the candidature and decides whether it will continue into the following year. Supervisors who have concerns about a student's progress may also initiate a progress review at other times during the candidature.

The Master of Creative Arts-Research submission of creative work is examined by two external examiners chosen from a list prepared by the supervisor/s in consultation with the student and approved by the Head of Postgraduate Studies.

Research Proposal Reviews (RPR)

The University's Progress Review Guidelines stipulate that no later than the completion of the equivalent of one year full-time enrolment, students must present an oral research presentation and prepare a written research plan and preliminary literature review. Students must also provide a written timetable for the coming year, and a statement of the resources required to complete their project (e.g. access to laboratories, field trips, libraries, specialist equipment etc). In the Faculty this Review encompasses student's research in terms of both their theoretical and creative work.

The Research Proposal Review Committee to hear students' oral research presentations usually meet during the Faculty's Postgraduate Week normally held in September each year.

Other Information

Further information is available at:

UOW Coursefinder http://coursefinder.uow.edu.au/

Creative Arts Email fca_enquiries@uow.edu.au

Creative Arts Website http://www.uow.edu.au/crearts/