Master of Professional Studies (MPRS) - MProfSt

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Program focus

‘Professional studies’ is a term used to classify academic programs which are applied or interdisciplinary in focus. Professional studies combines theory and practice-based professional learning, focusing on bodies of knowledge that are aligned with multi-disciplinary practice environments rather than more traditional discipline focused academic studies. Students combine research design and analysis of work-based project observations to culminate in enhanced skills and knowledge that meet the requisite masters-level academic qualification standards and improved professional practice.

The Master of Professional Studies is a level 9 qualification in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework. The program is designed to recognise and develop individual professionalism at the highest level. It is work-based and directed at providing an opportunity to students to acquire a systemic and critical understanding of a substantial and complex body of knowledge in their area of professional practice. With research and structured learning as defining characteristics of the program, graduates will have the knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, authoritative judgement, adaptability and responsiveness in their professional practice.

Experienced individuals from the private, public or voluntary sectors are able to negotiate their own customised program to suit their professional development objectives and working environments. There is a growing demand for advanced qualifications that are related to actual work activities and practitioner expertise in the specific contexts of employees and organisations.

The program is therefore unique in its appeal in that it provides direct benefits to both employees and organisations. Outcomes may include contributing to significant and measurable work-based projects that have a direct impact on developing major change initiatives, finding solutions to work place problems and shifts in organisational strategy. The program therefore contributes to developing professional expertise through research and development projects undertaken during the program.

The Master of Professional Studies focuses on providing advanced-level study opportunities for professionals with the appropriate entry qualifications to:

• enable them to critically review literature to address theoretical and practice-orientated questions including recent developments in their area of professional practice;

• enable them to apply knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to their field of work; and

• design and implement projects to further investigate questions and issues applicable to their professional practice as related to workplace challenges, change and strategic direction.

An essential feature of this program is that participants continue their work while undertaking projects which integrate disciplined enquiry with complex practice-orientated work issues.

Program objectives

Successful completion of the program will enable graduates to:

• demonstrate analytical, critical and creative thinking on their professional practice, work place applications and relevant theory;

• postulate directions for the investigation of unsolved problems in their work place;

• demonstrate a high level of skill in identifying, analysing and synthesising complex information, concepts and theories in choosing and implementing solutions appropriate for addressing hypotheses related to work-based capacity building, professional practice and innovation

• undertake and write professional, evidence-based reports on projects relating to their professional practice;

• demonstrate an awareness of the limitations of their projects and manage these limitations by generating and evaluating complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level;

• demonstrate a high level of skill in assessing and addressing ethical/confidential concerns in their study and related professional practice;

• develop work-based project plans and outcomes that integrate theory and practice and present this using communication and technical research skills that justify conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences; and

• evaluate, analyse and report the results of their projects that contribute to professional practice and scholarship in a manner appropriate to their audience.

Program aims

The aim of this program is to provide experienced professionals with the opportunities to demonstrate, autonomously and creatively the application of knowledge and skills in their professional practice and further learning. Creativity and initiative are encouraged in engaging issues that are relevant and meaningful to their professional practice and work place challenges, helping to build the capacity and resilience of the student’s organisations/communities and contribute to their self-directed learning and career development.

Admission requirements

Admission is by completed online application and interview. 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.

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

The Master of Professional Studies program is a 12 unit program made up of four sections:

1. Compulsory course: All students are required to take the WRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies 2 unit course which includes:

   • The theoretical principles underpinning the professional studies program

   • Reflective practice (optional RPL portfolio, see “Exemptions”)

   • Research philosophies and methods

   • Critical thinking in professional practice

   • Ethics in research and in professional practice

   • Project management fundamentals

   • The development of a work-based project(s) and Work-Based Research Project Proposal

   
   

2. Work-based Research Projects: Students are required to complete a minimum of 4 units, WRP8010 Work-based Research Project A and WRP8011 Work-based Research Project B up to a maximum of 8 units WRP8012 Work-based Research Project C and WRP8013 Work-based Research Project D of work-based research projects. As part of the WRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies , students will prepare a work-based research project plan that includes detailed information on the specific learning outcomes, the project’s implementation, anticipated contribution to practice and organisational development that are to be achieved through the implementation of the research project. Students are required to complete a minimum of four units of supervised project work culminating in a dissertation (minimum 15000 words) or equivalent body of work which will include artefacts that have been developed in the WRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies course.

3. Optional Elective Postgraduate course work:Students may elect to enrol in up to four units of advanced coursework to enhance their professional practice capacity. They may select up to four x 1-unit electives at postgraduate level, from the Faculty of Arts or another faculty at the University of Southern Queensland (eg. Professional Communications; Community Participation & Engagement; International Relations; Cultural or Critical Theory; Identity, self and society; Health Sciences, Engineering; Education; Leadership and Management – you are encouraged to discuss the broad variety of options available with your supervisor). The intention of this option, based on a student design curriculum focus, is to give students the opportunity to customise their learning by completing courses that enhance their methodological and professional knowledge. Students must seek the prior approval of the program coordinator before enrolling in the elective courses.

4. Optional Publishable Article: Students may elect to formulate and submit for blind review, a publication representing the study’s (or part thereof) contribution to practice and/or relevant theory as appropriate. The article equates to 2 units and is assessed following standard academic blind peer-review processes. The purpose of this option is to illustrate against prevailing benchmarks, the specialised knowledge and skills associated with the student’s relevant professional practice and demonstrate the appropriate cognitive and technical skills required at this qualification level. Peer reviewers will include independent academic and/or practice-based experts who will assess whether the work is publishable and meets the requisite critical, creative, analytical and communications skills associated with the Masters level qualification.

Program completion requirements

To graduate from the Master of Professional Studies program a candidate must complete a minimum of twelve course units comprising no less than the completion of the core courseWRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies and the work-based research project WRP8010 Work-based Research Project A and WRP8011 Work-based Research Project B . Students are required to compile a final master’s dissertation (minimum of 15,000 words including artefacts developed in the WRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies course and generated from the work-based project) or equivalent body of work for final examination by independent examiners. Students electing to complete a further work-based project WRP8012 Work-based Research Project C and WRP8013 Work-based Research Project D are required to compile a final master’s dissertation (minimum 25,000 words including relevant artefacts developed in the WRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies course and generated from the work-based projects) or equivalent body of work for final examination by independent examiners.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 4 years to complete this program.

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. Students must have reliable and ready access to e-mail and the internet. Broadband access would be a significant advantage.

Students are referred to recommended hardware and software requirements at http://www.usq.edu.au/current-students/support/computing/hardware.

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 Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies. Students will be eligible for this award if, whilst enrolled in the Master of Professional Studies they have enrolled and completed at least 4 units at USQ.

Exemptions

Students entering the program with a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) or an Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma (AQF level 8) may apply for up to six exemptions. The application for exemptions based on accredited prior learning normally is submitted when applying for admission to the program

Formal assessment of non-accredited prior learning is developed in the course WRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies and is the only method of applying for consideration for exemptions for non-accredited prior learning (RPL).

The total number of credits granted will vary according to the assessed level of experience and expertise that can be shown to be of relevance to the student’s intended work-based research project/s.

A maximum of six units of exemptions may be granted, which 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.

Exemptions for accredited prior learning and non-accredited prior learning may not exceed a maximum of six units in total.

In this section:

• Recommended enrolment pattern
• Recommended enrolment pattern for students undertaking a work-based project with no electives
• Recommended enrolment pattern for students with up to 4 units of electives and/or the Publishable Article
• Recommended enrolment pattern for students planning exemptions through recognition of prior learning

Recommended enrolment pattern

Students may be admitted to the program at the beginning of Semester 1 or Semester 2 or Semester 3.

The ‘standard’ rate of progression for part-time students is 4 units per year for three years. Students are able to accelerate their progression through the program by enrolling in Semester 3 courses. Students should undertake the course WRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies At the commencement of their program and prior to their enrolment in the course WRP8010 Work-based Research Project AWRP8010 unless agreed otherwise with their supervisor.

Recommended enrolment pattern for students undertaking a work-based project with no electives

Recommended enrolment pattern for students with up to 4 units of electives and/or the Publishable Article

Recommended enrolment pattern for students planning exemptions through recognition of prior learning

A maximum of six units of exemptions can be credited. The balance of units required to complete the Masters program (12 units) must include the compulsory completion of WRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies and WRP8010 Work-based Research Project A.Further, completion of WRP8011 Work-based Research Project B and/or electives and/or WRP8020 Work-based Research: Publishable Paper may be selected depending on the balance of units required to complete the 12 unit program.

Students are required to enrol in WRP8010 Work-based Research Project A and WRP8011 Work-based Research Project B over a minimum of two successive semesters thus accumulating 4 units in total upon completion of their dissertation or equivalent body of work. If an additional 4 units of work-based research project is required as part of their enrolment pattern, students are required to enrol for a minimum of two semesters in WRP8012 Work-based Research Project C and WRP8013 Work-based Research Project D. In terms of the latter enrolment pattern, assessment of the requisite body of work is undertaken during WRP8013 Work-based Research Project D and not WRP8011 Work-based Research Project B (please see “Program completion requirements” above).

An elective may be required in the event of RPL outcomes giving an odd number of exemptions when combined with WRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies and WRP8010 Work-based Research Project A or WRP8011 Work-based Research Project B.