Master of Professional Studies (MPRS) - MProfSt

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Program focus

The Master of Professional Studies is designed to enable professionals to engage in the highest form of authentic learning: to study as they engage in real world, real time activity; and to combine their work and study in ways that lead to benefits for both the individual and the organisation.

Accordingly, the program aims to provide opportunities for professionals with the appropriate entry qualifications to gain post-graduate qualifications and enable them to critically review literature to address theoretical and practical questions and issues in their workplace field, and to design and implement projects to further investigate these questions and issues.

Program aims

The program aims to enable professionals to engage in the highest form of authentic learning: to study as they engage in real world, real time activity; and to combine their work and study in ways that lead to benefits for both the individual and the organisation. Accordingly, the program aims to provide opportunities for professionals with the appropriate entry qualifications to gain post-graduate qualifications and enable them to critically review literature to address theoretical and practical questions and issues in their workplace field, and to design and implement projects to further investigate these questions and issues.

Program objectives

Successful completion of the program will enable graduates to:

• demonstrate analytical, critical and creative thinking in workplace applications

• postulate directions for investigation of unsolved problems in their workplace

• undertake and write reports on projects relating to their workplace in a professional manner

• demonstrate a high level of skill in identifying, choosing and implementing procedures appropriate for addressing hypotheses

• demonstrate an awareness of the limitations of their projects and manage these limitations

• demonstrate a high level of skill in assessing and addressing ethical/confidential concerns in their study and related work activity

• report the results of their projects concerning changes to their workplace in a manner appropriate to their audience

• develop a workplace-based learning plan that integrates theory and practice.

Admission requirements

Admission is by written application and interview. Students may begin the program in either Semester 1 or Semester 2. To be considered for entry, an applicant must normally possess a bachelor degree from an Australian University or equivalent, and have the equivalent of at least five years' experience in their field. Anyone wishing to gain entry to the program on the basis of equivalent qualifications and/or experience should contact the University for consideration for admission on this basis. An applicant with a bachelor degree with honours, or a master’s degree, may consider applying for admission to the Doctor of Professional Studies program.

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly to USQ. You should ensure you submit your application by the closing dates.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Program structure

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) program is an 8 unit program consisting of a core of:

• WBL8000 Workplace-based Learning Portfolio WBL8000 (1 unit)

• WBL8001 Workplace-based Learning Plan (1 unit)

• WBL8002 Workplace-based Complementary (1 unit)

and five workplace-based project units from:

• WBL8010 Workplace-based Project (1 unit) (1 unit)

• WBL8020 Workplace-based Project (2 units) (2 units)

• WBL8030 Workplace-based Project (3 units) (3 units)

The Learning Plan must be approved by the Program Coordinator before students may enrol in any other courses. Modifications may be made to the original plan if this is deemed necessary by the student’s USQ advisor but must be re-approved.

Program completion requirements

To graduate from the Master of Professional Studies program a candidate must complete, or be exempted from, eight course units comprising:

• three courses WBL8000 Workplace-based Learning Portfolio, WBL8001Workplace-based Learning Plan, and WBL8002Workplace-based Complementary Studies

• five workplace-based learning project units selected from WBL8010WBL8020 (2 units)WBL8030 (3 units) with at least two of these units being completed as part of the program.

All students must attend a compulsory workshop at the weekend following the first week of their first and second semester of enrolment for courses WBL8000and WBL8001 respectively. During these workshops, students will have opportunities to:

• be guided through the process of compiling a Learning Portfolio

• be assisted to develop a Learning Plan

• consider requirements for projects

• consult with their advisor

• network with other students to form support groups.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 3 years to complete this program.

Coursework

All students will undertake at least two units of workplace-based project(s) while studying the program. Appropriate knowledge, skills, understanding and expertise required to implement the project(s) will have to be outlined in the Learning Portfolio, or must be covered in WBL8002. In some cases, it will be possible to learn relevant skills as part of the project, provided the learning methodology is indicated in the Learning Plan.

IT requirements

Computer literacy is now expected as part of professional life, and as an integral element in the studying and learning process. Many courses make use of the Internet through online discussion groups and course web pages. Some courses require substantial access to a computer because computer software or CD-ROMs are integral to the material being taught in the course. Students will be required to make use of up-to-date computer technology to facilitate learning, research, and the production of assessment material.

Students are referred to recommended hardware and software requirements at http://www.usq.edu.au/its/students/standards/default.htm.

Twenty-four hour computer access is available at USQ.

Exit points

The exit point for students who do not complete the requirements of the Master of Professional Studies is the Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Studies (PGradCertProfSt). Students will be eligible for this award if, whilst enrolled in the Master of Professional Studies, they have completed at least 4 units including WBL8000, WBL8001 and two other units from the WBL courses in the student’s approved Learning Plan.

Exemptions

The Learning Portfolio developed in WBL8000 Workplace-based Learning Portfolio may be submitted for formal assessment of prior learning, but such assessment will incur an additional charge equivalent to the fee for one unit. Assessment of the Learning Portfolio is the only method of applying for consideration for exemptions for this program. The number of credits granted will vary according to both the level of formal qualifications gained and to the deemed level of informal experience and expertise that can be shown to be of relevance to the program within the portfolio. Credit granted may be non-course specific. USQ is a participating university in the Professional Development Pathways initiative, and appropriate credit will be given in accordance with the scheme. For further information on this initiative please contact http://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/employee/teachers/pd_pathways/pd_pathways_contact.html.

In this section:

• Recommended enrolment pattern
• Recommended enrolment pattern for students with no exemptions commencing in Semester 2
• Recommended enrolment pattern for students with 4 units of exemptions commencing in Semester 1

Recommended enrolment pattern

Students may be admitted to the program at the beginning of Semester 1 or Semester 2.

Students must complete WBL8000 Workplace-based Learning Portfolio and WBL8001 Workplace-based Learning Plan before enrolling in any other courses in the program.

It may be possible to take courses during Semester 3 if a candidate wishes to accelerate progression through the program.

Recommended enrolment pattern for students with no exemptions commencing in Semester 2

Recommended enrolment pattern for students with 4 units of exemptions commencing in Semester 1