Doctor of Communication
2008 | 2009 | 2010Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences | School of Communication
| Program Code: MPCS Program Level: Postgraduate Professional Doctorate Home Campus:
Magill Program Length (in EFTSL):
4 |
Program director/s
- Dr Jackie Cook (MPCS)
Applications can be made online at Research Degree Apply Online.
Please see further information at Professional Doctorates.
Aim
To provide a research-based program which will enable practitioners in the field of communication to link knowledge, research skills and professional skills to enrich their personal intellectual growth and advance their professional contribution to society.
Entry requirements
Applicants for admission to candidature for the Professional Doctorate must satisfy the Research Degrees Committee of competence to undertake a higher degree by research by holding or being eligible to hold from an approved higher education institution an award which is assessed by this University as being equivalent to:
- a) an honours degree or a bachelor degree with honours of at least 2A standard; or,
b) an appropriate masters degree; or
c) holding such other qualifications as are acceptable to the Research Degrees Committee. In such cases, the applicant must satisfy the committee of fitness to undertake advanced work on the basis of achievement in, and relevance of, previous higher education studies, professional experience or published research work.
- For the professional doctorate program, there will be normally an additional requirement of five years practice in the communication industries.
English language entry requirements for International students:
All international students are expected to be proficient in English comprehension and expression. Generally, for entry to a research program at UniSA, international students from non-English speaking backgrounds must have obtained one of the following standards:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic ) overall score 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in each subscore test (reading, writing, listening and speaking), obtained within the last two years prior to the date of the application; or corresponding results from an equivalent test such as Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the appropriate Academic English language level delivered by the Centre for English Language at the University of South Australia (CELUSA); or
Successful completion of a tertiary qualification at Bachelor level or above completed in Australia within the last two years; or
Successful completion of at least two years of tertiary study at Bachelor level or above conducted in English within the last five years in a country in which English is an official language; or
Having taught in the English language for at least two years at an overseas academic institution prior to the date of application. Such applications must be supported by the proposed supervisor and Dean of Research (or equivalent); or
Having written in English and been published in scholarly books or internationally recognised journals - normally at least two articles in the last five years prior to the date of application. Such applications must be accompanied by an authorship statement or evidence of the contribution of the applicant and supported by the proposed supervisor and Dean of Research (or equivalent).
Where previous study or professional experience was conducted in English, the applicant must provide certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the medium of instruction/employment was in English.
Content/structure
Variations to the generic pattern are possible, providing that the coursework does not exceed 33% of the program and the principles on which the pattern has been constructed are maintained.
The program will comprise the following components:
Year One: 36 units (4 x 9 units)
- Year One introduces students to advanced issues and practices in contemporary communications research. While organised into 4 x 9 units study modules, the primary focus of the study is the supervised development of applied research skills. It includes the following elements: enhanced autonomy in the identification and planning of contemporary research issues; improved capacity for critical involvement in the research culture of the communications industries and in the production and presentation of research reports; extended familiarity with the most recent theories and research methods engaging the communications industries and professions; special attention to the social and cultural outcomes of interactive computer-mediated-communications and e-services.
Year Two: 36 units (4 x 9 units)
- Year Two allows students to undertake a supervised series of applied research projects during research placements within the communications industries and professions.
Students design, plan and carry out supervised research tasks and produce professionally-formatted research reports. These are returned for use by the communications industry within which the research placement occurred, as well as being prepared for publication, electronic publication or multimedia presentation to the relevant professional bodies.
Year Three: 36 units (4 x 9 units) (1 x 30,000 Dissertation and Thesis preparation)
- Each student will be assigned a supervisor from the School's research register. It is expected that the candidate will take up one or other of the issues investigated in the research papers already completed. The 'thesis' comprising the body of research work will be submitted to external examination by two or more examiners.
Fee information
Fees for Domestic students: RTSFees for Research students that have exceeded their RTS entitlement are calculated at the course level. Click on the above link to determine your fee.
Fees for International students: $AU 17,500 per 1.0 EFTSL for students commencing in 2010.
Fees are calculated on a per Unit basis with 1.0 EFTSL = 36 Units.
Fees for International students are determined one year in advance and are subject to variation.
Program requirements
| Course name | Area + Cat. No. | Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR | |||
| First Half (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) | |||
| COMM 5050 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| COMM 8004 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| Second Half (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | |||
| COMM 8001 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| COMM 8002 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| SECOND YEAR | |||
| First Half (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) | |||
| COMM 8005 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| COMM 8003 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| Second Half (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | |||
| COMM 8006 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| COMM 8007 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| THIRD YEAR | |||
| First Half (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) | |||
| COMM 8008 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| COMM 8009 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| Second Half (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | |||
| COMM 8010 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| COMM 8011 | 9 | 0.250 |
