WRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies

Staffing

Examiner: Luke Van Der Laan
Moderator: Rhod McNeill

Requisites

Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies (GCPS) or the Master of Professional Studies program (MPRS)

Other requisites

Students will require access to e-mail and have reliable internet access for this course.

Computer literacy is now expected as part of professional life, and is an integral element in the studying and learning process associated with this course. The course makes significant use of the internet and online environment, and students are required to participate in the online environment throughout the course. As such students are required to have substantial and reliable access to a computer and the internet.

Rationale

The Fundamentals of Professional Studies course introduces students to the theory and principles underpinning work-based learning as a basis for developing individual professionalism at the appropriate Masters academic level. Students are given an insight as to the Professional Studies program approach adopted by USQ. This includes clearly illustrating the student learning journey through the program taking into account its expected outputs, student participation, illustrative timeframes and assessment criteria.

Synopsis

This course ensures that students enrolled in the Master of Professional Studies program understand its fundamental theoretical underpinnings and the principles adopted in the USQ approach to enhancing professional practice based on work-based learning. It also prepares and equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure that their progression through the program is seamless and sufficiently self-directed.
By completing the course, students will:
i) be introduced to the theoretical body of knowledge that supports professional development within the context of work-based learning,
ii) develop their critical thinking and reflective practice skills,
iii) develop their understanding and application of research philosophy and related research methodologies applicable to work-based research projects,
iv) develop their understanding of relevant ethical considerations associated with work-based research and ensuring that appropriate ethical guidelines are applied in their research,
v) develop their communication and collaboration skills especially within the workplace, online and academic contexts amongst their colleagues and peers,
vi) develop a clearly articulated learning program outlining learning objectives and the associated activities required to achieve these, and
vii) develop their work-based research projects based on sound project management principles and applications.
By completing the course students will understand the theoretical, professional and academic standards associated with the Master of Professional Studies program and the levels of support/guidance that they can expect.
Students will also have completed work associated with enhancing their reflective practice. The course outcomes will also include the agreed professional, academic and organisational development outcomes associated with their learning and research project plans.

Objectives

Topics

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

Reference materials

Student workload requirements

Assessment details

Important assessment information

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course related activities and administration
   
   
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   Two bodies of work are required for assessment. These are required to be submitted on time as advised by the course examiner and are assessed together by an independent panel upon completion of the course.
   
   In keeping with the flexibility of the course, students may submit requests for extensions based on reasonable requests related to changes in their work circumstances.
   
   
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   Due to the convening of an independent internal panel to assess the student’s final assessment, failure to submit the required final work on time may result in the work not being assessed requiring further enrolment in the subsequent semester to complete the work in time for final assessment.
   
   
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   Satisfactory completion of the course is dependent on an independent internal assessment by a panel of the assessment items (Learning Program and Work-based research proposal) and is assessed against the following criteria:
   a) The student demonstrating that the learning objectives have been met as incorporated in the two bodies of work, and
   b) The student has demonstrated the capacity to implement the research project as incorporated in the Work-based research proposal.
   
   NOTE: It is acknowledged that work conditions may change and materially affect the implementation of the student’s work-based projects. Reasonable flexibility is assured to allow the student to amend the Work-based research proposal according to their change in context.
   
   
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   As P is the only passing grade available for this course, all students who are qualified for a
   passing grade will be given a grade of P. Other students will be given either a Failing grade or an Incomplete grade.
   
   
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
   
   
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Not applicable.
   
   
8. University Student Policies:
   Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene University policies and practices. These policies can be found at http://policy.usq.edu.au/portal/custom/search/category/usq_document_policy_type/Student.1.html.
   
   

Assessment notes

1. The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next business day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner’s convenience.Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be despatched to USQ within 24 hours if required by the Examiner.
   
   
2. In accordance with University Policy, the Examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
   
   
3. If electronic submission of assessments is specified for the course, students will be notified of this on the USQ Study Desk. All required electronic submission must be made through the Assignment Drop Box located on the USQ Study Desk for the course, unless directed otherwise by the examiner. The due date for an electronically submitted assessment is the date by which a student must electronically submit the assignment. The assignment files must be submitted by 11.59pm on the due date using USQ time (as displayed on the clock on the course home page; that is, Australian Eastern Standard Time).
   
   
4. If the method of assessment submission is by written, typed or printed paper-based media students should (i) submit to the Faculty Office for students enrolled in the course in the on-campus mode, or (ii) mail to USQ for students enrolled in the course in the external mode. The due date for the assessment is the date by which a student must (i) submit the assessment for students enrolled in the on-campus mode, or (ii) mail the assessment for students enrolled in the external mode.
   
   
5. The Faculty will NOT accept submission of assignments by facsimile.
   
   
6. Students who do not have regular access to postal services for the submission of paper-based assessments, or regular access to Internet services for electronic submission, or are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements prior to the submission date.
   
   
7. Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in a course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of a course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded one of the temporary grades: IM (Incomplete - Make up), IS (Incomplete - Supplementary Examination) or ISM (Incomplete -Supplementary Examination and Make up). A temporary grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study.
   
   
8. Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
   
   
9. Students may be assigned an “Incomplete” grade to signify that all the requirements of the course have not yet been met. Students who are graded “I” can pass the course by successfully completing such additional work as prescribed by the examiner by a given date. Students who have been awarded an IM, ISM, IDM or IDB grade must access information regarding further work to be completed, in the Student Centre of U Connect. The Grades Page in the Student Centre contains information about further work to be completed. Students who have not completed the additional work to the satisfaction of the examiner by the given date will receive the appropriate Fail grade.