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A JCU Master of Philosophy (Indigenous) provides exceptional students with the opportunity to complete a significant independent research thesis.

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Community-minded

Skills for every region

Unique contribution

Specialise your skills

Community connections

Work where it matters most

Online: February, June
Townsville: February, June
Cairns: February, June

Students can commence research studies at any time throughout the year

Course fees are not applicable for Domestic students

Student Services and Amenities fee payable
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible

Fees currently displayed are indicative only. 2024 fees will be uploaded by October, 2023.

2 years full-time

or part-time equivalent

AQF level 7 bachelor degree with conditions

111103

What to expect

Identify and outline a relevant issue in your chosen research area. Develop advanced skills in research principles to plan and produce an original contribution to the field of Indigenous studies. Studies will culminate in a presentation of your thesis.

Benefit from the guided support of experienced supervisors, as well as access to resources across all disciplines and colleges at JCU. Engage and network with leading researchers, world-class lecturers, and fellow students.

Choose from a broad range of research areas to suit your professional qualifications and interests. Research areas include:

Indigenous studies, knowledge and culture
Indigenous community development
Indigenous intersections with other disciplines

Make a meaningful contribution to the future of Indigenous research and affairs. Master of Philosophy students are equipped with the critical skills required to work in research or to continue on to study a PhD.

View the Handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects, as well as a list of available research areas.

Career Opportunities

JCU Master of Philosophy (Indigenous) graduates are internationally recognised as experts who produce valuable new knowledge in their fields.

Graduates pursue careers in politics, Indigenous areas of corporate organisations, not-for-profit, media, research and education.

You could find employment as a research officer, policy advisor, community relations officer, journalist, Indigenous programs advisor, politician in Indigenous Affairs, academic, lecturer or school leadership positions. Graduates can also continue their independent research in a Doctor of Philosophy.

Handbook

Handbook year	Information valid for students commencing in 2024.
Course code	111103
Course type	Masters by Research (AQF 9)
Owner	Indigenous Education and Research Centre
College	Indigenous Education and Research Centre

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites

Entry requirements for this course are consistent with the Pathways to Qualifications in the Australian Qualifications Framework (Level 9) Guidelines for Masters degrees.

Requirements for admission can be found at HDR Degree Requirements

Students with a GPA below 5.5 in their final year of coursework study should contact the Indigenous Education and Research Centre to discuss pathways to admission.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements

Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

EFTSL to complete (equivalent full-time student load)

2 EFTSL

Course learning outcomes

Graduates of a Masters Degree (Research) will have:

Knowledge:

A body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in one or more disciplines
Advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of work or learning.

Skills

Cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and its application
Cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice
Cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level
Cognitive and technical skills to design, use and evaluate research and research methods
Communication and technical skills to present a coherent and sustained argument and to disseminate research results to specialist and non-specialist audiences
Technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise and disseminate research that makes a contribution to knowledge.

Graduates of a Masters Degree (Research) will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills:

With creativity and initiative to new situations and/or for further learning
With high level personal autonomy and accountability
To plan and execute a substantial piece of research.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

RM7001:03 Planning the Research: Masters Candidates

RM7002:03 Situating the Research: Masters Candidates

MR7011:00 Master of Philosophy Research Thesis (Indigenous)

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
JCU Cairns
JCU Townsville
JCU External

Candidature

Expected time to complete	2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Maximum time to complete	4.5 years
Maximum leave of absence	6 months

Progression

Supervising body	Research Education Sub Committee (RESC)
Confirmation of candidature	See HDR Degree Requirements
Supervision	See HDR Degree Requirements
Progression	See HDR Degree Requirements
Subsumption of coursework subjects	Subsumption permitted
Maximum credit points of coursework subjects	15 credit points of non-core coursework subjects
Allowed coursework subjects	As approved by the Dean, Graduate Research School
Credit	Nil
Professional accreditation requirements	Nil

Award Details

Award title	MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (INDIGENOUS)
Approved abbreviation	MPhil(Indigenous)
Inclusion of field of study on testamur	The field of research shall not appear on the testamur
Exit with lesser award	Candidates who exit the course prior to completion and have completed the appropriate subjects may be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate of Research Methods [Tropical Environments and Societies] or the Graduate Certificate of Research Methods [Tropical Health and Medicine].
Special awards	Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Fees and scholarships

JCU, with the support of the Australian Government’s Research Training Program, will cover the costs of tuition fees for Australian citizens/permanent residents and New Zealand citizens.

All candidates can also apply for a competitively-awarded stipend to help with living and tuition costs.

A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

Pathways to JCU

The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Research Methods gives you the formal research training you need to enter a professional research degree at JCU’s Graduate Research School.

How to apply

To be eligible to apply for entry to a Research Masters degree an applicant must demonstrate the capacity to undertake research at the Research Masters level by the attainment of a Bachelor’s Degree with either a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.5 in the final full time year of study, or with demonstrated research experience.

Visit the Graduate Research School website for more information, and then complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.

Student

Jesse King

Master of Philosophy (Indigenous)

I feel a lot more prepared to successfully undertake a research masters. I understand the processes, skills and techniques a lot better. It’s also good getting to know the supervisors and building that relationship and knowing that I’ve got a good support structure to be able to call back on when I need a hand.
Student

Georgia Storm

Master of Philosophy (Indigenous)

The intensive workshop has been fantastic. I’ve never had this level of support in any of my previous education. This is an entirely different way of teaching.
Lecturer

Dr Ailie McDowall

Indigenous Education and Research Centre

A Master of Philosophy is quite fun – it’s very different from coursework. It’s self-guided. You get to develop your own projects as you go. You’re coming up with research problems and research questions. You’re learning how to develop data collection tools. You’re learning skills that can be used in any setting.