Course code

79402

Faculty

Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences

Pre-requisites

Completion of a bachelor degree in nursing with Honours class I or IIA, the Higher Degrees by Research Sub-Committee (HDRS-C) on the advice of the Head of School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition; or

Completion of a research masters degree in nursing or a related discipline approved by Head of School; or

Completion of a coursework masters degree in nursing or a related discipline, approved by the Head of School, comprising at least one-third research methodology and practice in which a Credit grade point average was obtained; or

Other qualifications and professional experience judged by the Head of School and the Dean of Postgraduate Studies to provide a preparation for study equivalent to that provided above and appropriate to commencing study in the Doctor of Nursing Science Program.

Special admission requirements

Applicants must have a minimum of five years post-registration experience or experience approved by the Head of School.

Confirmation of candidature

The candidate shall apply to have their candidature confirmed:

• normally within the first six months of enrolment for a full-time candidate; or

• normally within the first 12 months of enrolment for a part-time candidate.

Maximum time to complete

10 years

Minimum EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) to complete

2 EFTSL

Additional course rules

A candidate must maintain regular contact with the School as required by the candidate’s Principal Supervisor.

Appointment of Supervisors

Candidates shall be assigned a Principal Supervisor and a co-Supervisor, both of whom shall be members of the staff of the University and on the Register of Supervisors of the University.

One associate supervisor will be appointed on account of his or her professional experience and special knowledge of the candidate’s intended program of study. This person need not be from the health service, but should have appropriate expertise and professional experience to provide an industry perspective.  These supervisors will provide support and advice to the candidate on matters pertaining to their overall performance.

Associate supervisors with the requisite methodological and specialist skills may be appointed for discrete research dissertations as deemed appropriate by the course coordinator.

Progression requirements

A candidate’s course of study shall be subject to approval by the HDRS-C, on the recommendation of the Head of School, for each year of candidature.

Thesis requirements

A portfolio of work must be submitted for examination. The portfolio will include:

• a 50,000 word collection of scholarly and research products from work completed in the structured doctoral specialisation and research tasks of the program (or permitted under the policy for advanced standing). Probable inclusions are: a conference presentation (slide show, text of presentation, published abstract); a research paper published in a refereed academic journal relevant to the professional career of the candidate; formal monograph used for dissemination of research findings within the candidate’s professional organisation;

• an overview of 3,000-5,000 words that describes the relationship of the work to the professional practice of the candidate and to the work of others.

Candidates are encouraged to publish work during candidature and published works may be included in the portfolio provided they or their substantive content have not been submitted for advanced standing for another academic qualification.

An original and three copies of the portfolio must be submitted to the Graduate Research School for examination.

Examination

Successful candidates must be judged through examination to have made a significant contribution to knowledge and practice in their profession.

The portfolio will be examined by a minimum of two and a maximum of three examiners. Two of the examiners must be external to the University.

The HDRS-C, on the recommendation of the examiners, may require the candidate to undertake a further written or oral examination on the topics covered in the portfolio.

Appeal procedures

As per the University appeals procedure for Doctor of Philosophy. See University Requirements for Doctor of Philosophy.

Eligibility

Advanced standing is permitted for previous work deemed to be at a doctoral level and any research or scholarly products from this work may be submitted as part of the portfolio up to a maximum of 10,000 words.

Other restrictions

Advanced standing is granted at the discretion of the Dean of Postgraduate Studies on advice from the relevant Head of School.

Inclusion of majors on testamur

Not applicable – this course does not have majors