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Master of Arts (MSTA) - MA
CRICOS code (International applicants): 072983D
This program will be offered from Semester 1,
2011.
| | On-campus | Distance education |
| Semester intake: | Semester 1 (March)
Semester 2 (July) | Semester 1 (March)
Semester 2 (July) |
| Campus: | Toowoomba | - |
| Fees: | Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
| Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
|
| Standard duration: | 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time |
| Program articulation: | From: Bachelor of Arts
; Bachelor of Creative Arts or other approved
degree program To: Doctor of Philosophy
or other approved professional award |
Contact us
Current students
Program focus
The Master of Arts provides an advanced-level program of study.
Students can elect to specialise in the disciplines of Anthropology,
Communication and Media Studies, Corporate Communication, Creative
Media, Editing and Publishing, English Literature, History, International
Relations, Journalism, Music, Social Sciences, Theatre or Visual Arts,
or to pursue an interdisciplinary major and research project or project
in consultation with the Master of Arts Program Coordinator. This
program involves students in an intellectual engagement with appropriately
theoretical and/or practical aspects of their chosen disciplines.
A range of research, coursework and project-based pathways are available,
depending on the discipline selected.
Anthropology major
Anthropology offers coursework in advanced anthropology and
research methods, as well as a dissertation on an area of particular
interest.
Applied Media major (based on-campus at Springfield)
This major is aimed particularly at graduates of the Bachelor
of Applied Media. It offers coursework in theory and advanced skills
in media editing and either dissertation or project work (such as
the production of an extended documentary film or radio feature).
Communication and Media Studies major
Communication and Media Studies offers theoretical and philosophical
foundations for study and research of mass communication and contemporary
media forms. Students choose from a variety of dissertation topics
including cinema, television, press, popular culture, radio, advertising
and multimedia texts.
Corporate Communication major
Students have the opportunity to undertake Corporate Communication
research with the option of a coursework and dissertation pathway
or alternatively a coursework only pathway.
Creative Media major
Creative Media offers an advanced understanding of creative
media theory and practice. It also provides a sophisticated analysis
in relation to a range of issues involving the interaction of the
arts and society both historically and in contemporary times.
Editing and Publishing major
Editing and Publishing gives students the opportunity to further
develop their skills and understanding of the theoretical, legal,
ethical and practical elements of editing and publishing and of publishing
management. Study consists of coursework, or coursework and dissertation/advanced
project.
English Literature major
English Literature focuses on critical and cultural theory,
and classical literature and film. The program investigates the nature
and operation of cultural institutions and the cultural production
of meaning.
History major
History offers coursework in research design and method and
history specialist topics, as well as a dissertation on an area of
particular personal interest.
Interdisciplinary major
The interdisciplinary pathway allows students the flexibility
to meet their own professional and educational requirements by developing
an individual study program. Students choose 8 courses from across
the range of coursework units offered in the Master of Arts, and also
have the option of writing a two unit project, dissertation or exegesis
in a specific area of research interest.
International Relations major
International Relations offers students a chance to develop
their understanding of international issues and of Australia's place
in the Asian region by studying a variety of coursework units. Students
also have the option of writing a two or a four unit dissertation
in an area of research interest.
Journalism major
Journalism prepares students for the journalism of a specialised
area. It combines study in journalism with study in a second subject,
giving students the opportunity to develop a high standard of achievement
in their knowledge and practice of journalism, as well as in their
specialised knowledge of another subject. Study consists of coursework
and an advanced reporting project.
Music major
Music offers specialised and advanced training in the areas
of music theory and performance. It also provides the intellectual
and practical skills necessary to apply knowledge in further study,
research, employment, and community service.
Social Sciences major
Social Sciences offers coursework in advanced Social Sciences
and research methods, as well as a dissertation on an area of particular
interest.
Theatre major
Theatre offers an advanced understanding of the nature and impact
of drama and theatre in human society. It also offers a proficiency
in critical analysis and problem solving relating to the intersection
between theory and practice in theatrical contexts.
Visual Arts major
Visual Arts offers an advanced understanding of visual arts
theory and practice. It also provides a sophisticated analysis in
relation to a range of issues involving the interaction of the arts
and society both historically and in contemporary times.
Career opportunities
As well as advancing prospective students in established careers,
this program prepares graduates for career opportunities in fields
such as: teaching, publishing, public service, archives and library
work, aid and community projects, creative arts practice and creative
industries.
Program aims
This program is specifically designed for prospective students
who require professional development or qualifications upgrade. The
program also aims to produce graduates who have an advanced awareness,
understanding and appreciation of the complexities of human thought,
expression and behaviour as reflected in a specified discipline area.
Graduates will also have demonstrated their capacity for specialised
study, research and scholarship at a higher level and/or in applying
knowledge in employment or community service, and have enhanced further
their personal, cultural, creative and intellectual capacities.
Program objectives
On successful completion of the program students should:
Admission requirements
Admission to the Master of Arts is in accordance with University
and Faculty of Arts admission guidelines for postgraduate programs.
Applicants will normally have completed the Bachelor of Arts,
Bachelor of Creative Arts or the Bachelor of Applied Media, relevant
undergraduate degree or hold an approved award from a recognised tertiary
institution. Applicants from other institutions may be required to
submit portfolios, samples of work, or attend an interview or audition
as appropriate to determine their aptitude to successfully study at
Masters level. Ideally, applicants will have up to two years of practice
in their given discipline/field in addition to their undergraduate
qualifications.
Some consideration for significant professional practice can
be given to applicants at the discretion of the Program Coordinator.
Specific entry requirements would normally be:
International applicants must have met the University's
English language requirements.
How to apply
Domestic students
Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly
to USQ.
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.
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent
Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who reside outside
Australia pay full tuition fees.
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
Depending on the discipline chosen, Master of Arts students
may choose one of the following pathways or options:
-
six courses of study comprising four units of coursework and
four units of supervised dissertation work (20,000 words). The dissertation
component must be completed over two consecutive semesters.
-
six courses of study comprising four units of coursework and
four units of supervised advanced project work that could include
work-integrated learning, professional placement, documented exhibition,
performance or studio practice. The project component must be completed
over two consecutive semesters.
-
eight courses of study comprising eight units of discipline
specific (only Editing and Publishing and English Literature) or interdisciplinary
coursework
-
seven courses of study comprising six units of coursework, with
either a disciplinary or interdisciplinary selection of courses, and
two units of:
-
supervised dissertation (10,000 words) or
-
exegesis of 10,000 words on an exhibition, performance, studio
practice, professional placement or work-integrated learning experience
or advanced project
-
advanced project of work integrated learning, professional placement,
documented exhibition, performance or studio practice.
The program can be undertaken full-time in one academic year,
or part-time over two years. Part-time enrolment will normally be
coursework in year one, and dissertation and/or project work in year
two, depending on the pathway chosen.
Please refer to the Recommended Enrolment patterns for further
details on offerings from each discipline.
Please note: students must choose either the Dissertation
OR Project pathway for Masters enrolment across the degree program.
Students will not be able to change from dissertation to project courses
within this Masters program. Major studies/specialisations
Semester 3
No courses will be offered in Semester 3 and students will not
be able to commence the Masters program in Semester 3.
Program completion requirements
Students are required to complete 8 credit points within a consistent
pattern as described within the Program Structure.
Required time limits
Students have a maximum of 3 years to complete this program.
Core courses
Core courses are essential to developing the skills required
to conduct scholarly activity and independent research at Masters
level. All students in the School of Humanities and Communication
(except those taking the Editing and Publishing major) must enrol
in:
Students taking the research pathway with four units of supervised
dissertation must enrol in:
For students in the School of Creative Arts enrolled in the
disciplines of Applied Media, Creative Media, Music, Theatre and Visual
Arts the following courses are core courses:
All Creative Arts Masters students will be expected to audit HMT4005 Research Design as part of their MAR8001 Masters Dissertation A or MAR8003 Masters Project A courses.
Major studies
A Major Study is a group of courses having six units in value
within the program, and is designed to provide students with:
From 2011 major studies at Masters level will be available in
Anthropology, Applied Media, Communication and Media Studies, Creative
Media, Editing and Publishing, English Literature, History, Interdisciplinary,
International Relations, Journalism, Music, Public Relations, Social
Science, Theatre and Visual Arts.
Coursework
The Coursework component of the Master of Arts degree program
constitutes at least 4 discipline specific units of study. For details,
consult the recommended enrolment patterns.
Research
Intending Master of Arts students should contact the Program
Coordinator before enrolling in the program to ensure that appropriate
supervision is available for the proposed dissertation topic and other
projects. As the research and advanced project pathways available
within the Master of Arts degree constitute 4 of the 8 credit points
required for successful completion of the program, it is essential
that students have developed a project plan which is able to be effectively
supervised and resourced.
Practical experience
In some Master of Arts areas it may be appropriate that practical,
professional or vocational experience is recognised as a criterion
for admission. Such experience may also form the basis of special
project work, which might also be based upon Work Integrated Learning.
Exemptions
Students should contact the Master of Arts Program Coordinator
for advice.
Course transfers
Students should contact the Master of Arts Program Coordinator
for advice.
