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Postgraduate Research Studies

Research Higher Degrees

Australian Catholic University (ACU National) offers a wide range of opportunities to undertake supervised research at either the masters or doctoral level. For more information please email res.cand@acu.edu.au

Research may be defined as creative work that is undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase our theoretical and/or practical knowledge and to apply knowledge in new ways.

The aim of a research degree is to provide a thorough training in a particular discipline area through a process of original investigation in order to increase knowledge. It represents a wonderful opportunity for you to focus on an area of particular interest to you and to make an important contribution to the development of new knowledge in society. It also enables you to work with one or more academics with specialist expertise in that area of study.

Areas of Research Expertise

The availability of supervision reflects the research expertise of academic staff members in the Schools of each Faculty. Academic supervisors may also be associated with the research centres of the University.

Types of research higher degrees

The University offers the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in a range of disciplines supervised by staff in each Faculty.  Candidates for research higher degrees can only be accepted where suitable specialised supervision is available.

Within the discipline area of your choice, the precise focus of the research you undertake is agreed between you and your supervisor for the following research higher degrees. You can commence your study in these degrees throughout the year.

ACU National also offers some discipline specific research higher degrees in education, psychology, practical ministry, exercise science, nursing and midwifery. Both masters degrees and professional doctorates are offered and these are listed below. These degrees commence in February each year. 

Duration

The time taken to complete a research higher degree depends on the type of degree and whether you study full-time or part-time.

Full-time

  • The minimum completion time for PhD students is three years, after submitting a thesis for examination.
  • The minimum completion time for MPhil students is two years, after submitting a thesis for examination.
  • Other research higher degrees usually involve research training, which may include completion of some coursework units together with the research project and thesis.

Part-time

Many students choose to study part-time and to combine their study with work or family responsibilities.

  • Doctor of Education [EdD(Res]
  • Master of Psychology (Clinical)/Doctor of Philosophy [MPsych(Clinical)/PhD]
  • Master of Psychology (Ed&Dev)/Doctor of Philosophy [MPsych(Clinical)/PhD]
  • Doctor of Practical Ministry (DPracMin)
  • Master of Education [MEd(Res)]
  • Master of Exercise Science [MExSci(Res)]
  • Master of Nursing [MN(Res]
  • Master of Midwifery [MMidw(Res)]

Research Training Scheme

Commencing domestic students enrolling in a Doctorate or Masters by research at ACU National will be granted either a Research Training Scheme entitlement under the Commonwealth Government's Research Training Scheme (RTS) or an ACU National fee-waiver. 'Domestic' refers to Australian citizens and permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens. This means that candidates are provided with an exemption from course fees.

International students

ACU National welcomes eligible international students who wish to complete research higher degrees.