Master of Social Science

Course code	103404
Course type	Masters Degree (AQF Level 9)
Division	Tropical Environments and Societies

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites

Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a social science discipline, with an overall grade point average of 5.0 (i.e. credit average), within the previous five years; or

Completion of an AQF level 8 qualification in any discipline, within the previous five years; or

Other qualifications recognised by the Dean, College of Arts, Society and Education as equivalent to the above.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements

Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 1 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.

Special admission requirements

Offers will be made for a specified major based on the applicant’s academic and professional experience. Admitted students wishing to transfer to another major must seek approval from the relevant Major Coordinator.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

36 credit points as per course structure

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Master of Social Science, graduates will be able to:

Demonstrate and reflect critically on advanced and integrated knowledge of social theory, practice and professional ethics in a single discipline or interdisciplinary field of the social sciences
Demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods in a single discipline or interdisciplinary fields of the social sciences
Analyse critically and evaluate social systems, institutions, structures and/or practices
Generate, analyse, synthesise and evaluate complex perspectives, arguments and sources of qualitative and/or quantitative data pertinent to complex social, political, historical, economic, environmental and/or cultural issues, particularly those related to quality of life in the tropics worldwide
Interpret and justify to a specialist and non-specialist audience theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions through advanced literacy and, where appropriate, numeracy skills
Design and execute a substantial social science research-based project with a high level of autonomy and accountability
Apply social theory to research, demonstrating advanced understanding of the relationship between theory and practice, including recent developments, in a single discipline or interdisciplinary fields of the social sciences
Respectfully and responsibly apply expert knowledge of diversity and difference among people, especially vulnerable and Indigenous peoples, in scholarship and/or professional practice
Adapt and apply knowledge and skills to identify complex problems and pose creative solutions to social and/or environmental challenges facing peoples and societies in diverse tropical contexts worldwide.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

SS5103:06 Post-Graduate Research Methods for the Social Sciences

SS5012:12 Social Science Coursework Masters Thesis

PLUS

Select a major from the Table A

TABLE A (MAJORS)

Table A (MAJORS)

Type of major

Mandatory

Single

Credit points in major

18 credit points

Notes

Majors may be available for mid-year entry. Approval will need to be sought from the course coordinator.

MAJOR	AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
Asia-Pacific Governance and Development	Cairns Townsville
Environment and Heritage	Cairns Townsville
Indigenous Studies	Cairns Townsville External	Major includes external components - not available to International students requiring a Student Visa

Campus

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
Cairns
Townsville
External	Not all majors are available externally

Candidature

Expected time to complete	18 months full-time or equivalent part-time
Maximum time to complete	5 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites	Nil
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	No
Special assessment requirements	Nil
Professional accreditation requirements	Nil
Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade	Nil
Supplementary exam for final subject	A student who has failed the final subject towards the award and who gained 40% or more of the marks for that subject may be granted a supplementary examination in that subject. However if that subject is required for accreditation, then the criteria specified by that accreditation will apply.

Advanced Standing

Eligibility	Students may apply for advanced standing for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Advanced Standing and Articulation policy associated procedures
Maximum allowed	18 credit points Up to 12 credit points of advanced standing will be granted for an AQF Level 8 Bachelor Honours Degree or Graduate Diploma in a cognate* discipline for SS5103:06 and up to 6 credit points for optional subjects from the major * Anthropology, Archaeology, Criminology, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, History, Human Services, Indigenous Studies, Political science, Sociology.
Currency	Advanced standing will be granted only for studies completed in the 5 years prior to the commencement of this course
Expiry	Advanced standing gained for any subject shall be cancelled 10 years after the date of the examination upon which the advanced standing is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course
Other restrictions	Not applicable

Award Details

Award title	MASTER OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
Approved abbreviation	MSocSc
Inclusion of majors on testamur	The major studied shall appear on the testamur
Exit with lesser award	Students who exit the course prior to completion, and have completed the relevant number of credit points of appropriate subjects, may be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma of Social Science
Course articulation	Not applicable