Postgraduate course information

UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health's postgraduate programs aim to ensure that opportunities are provided for nurses, midwives and health services managers to study at graduate level, whether they were educated in hospitals or the higher education sector. Enrolment in a postgraduate program provides an opportunity to study within a challenging and stimulating environment. Postgraduate nursing, midwifery and health services management programs provide the scope for health professionals to strengthen and expand their knowledge in their disciplines while also encouraging study and research in specialised areas.

Two categories of postgraduate courses are offered – those by coursework and those by research.

Contacts and inquiries

UTS Student Centres

The UTS Student Centres are both the initial and primary point of contact for all students. Students should deal with the UTS Student Centres in all matters affecting their studies, including enrolment, exemptions, timetable matters, examination and assessment, as well as a wide range of student administration procedures.

For specific UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health information, students should contact the following UTS Student Centres.

City campus

Kuring-gai campus

Opening hours

UTS Student Centre opening hours are available at:

Academic Programs Office

The Academic Programs Office provides support and assistance to the UTS Student Centres in regard to UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health processes and issues and manages and supports UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health's courses and specific student issues and processes. Students must contact the UTS Student Centre and complex issues may be referred by staff in the UTS Student Centre to the Academic Programs Office.

Manager

Senior academic programs officers

Academic programs officers

Research administrator

The research administrator provides administrative advice and support to current and prospective research students.

Postgraduate coursework

Postgraduate coursework rules and procedures

Admission requirements

Where large numbers of applicants are eligible for admission to any of UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health's courses and places are limited, preference is given on the basis of:

• general educational qualifications
• previous academic grades, and
• professional experience and activities, e.g. post-registration certificates and scholarly activities such as research and publications.

Recognition of prior learning

Subject exemptions are granted on the basis of the successful completion of equivalent subjects from recent postgraduate studies. Students should lodge an application for subject exemption form and include a formal transcript verifying academic results and a description of the subject for which they are claiming equivalence.

For detailed information about applying for subject exemptions read the Recognition of Prior Learning Application Guidelines (80kB PDF):

UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health may also grant credit by substitution. This involves students being able to substitute a prescribed subject where they can demonstrate that they have undertaken an equivalent subject at either postgraduate or, in exceptional circumstances, undergraduate level.

The maximum number of exemptions under UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health policy are:

• graduate certificates: maximum of two exemptions (12 credit points)
• graduate diplomas: maximum of four exemptions (24 credit points)
• master's: maximum of eight exemptions (48 credit points)
• master's conversions: students must complete a minimum of four subjects.

Rules and regulations

All students should refer to the Rules of the University available at:

Progression rules

A student will have their registration discontinued, in accordance with rule 10.2.3 and rule 10.4.1, if they gain any two failures in a course, or fail to meet any concurrent experience or other requirement prescribed by the course over a two-year period.

Contacts and inquiries

The directors of studies, course coordinators and advisers provide academic advice to students on their program, or other assistance such as helping students experiencing difficulties to cope with their academic work.

Director of Postgraduate Nursing Studies

Director of Midwifery Studies

Director of Health Services Management Programs

Nursing

Master of Nursing (Education major and Advanced Nursing Practice major)

Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner major)

Graduate Diploma in Nursing

Graduate Certificate in Perioperative Nursing

Graduate Certificate in Anaesthetics Nursing

Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing

Graduate Certificate in Neuroscience Nursing

Graduate Certificate in Children's Nursing

Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing

Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing

Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing

Graduate Certificate in Neonatal Nursing

Midwifery

Master of Midwifery

Graduate Diploma in Midwifery

Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing

Clinical education and management

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Teaching

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Management

Health

Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care

Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management

Health services

Master of Health Services Management

Master of Health Services Management and Planning

Graduate Diploma in Health Services Management

Graduate Diploma in Safety and Quality in Health Care

Graduate Diploma in Health Services Planning

Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management

Graduate Certificate in Health Services Planning

Graduate Certificate in Safety and Quality in Health Care

Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning)

Responsible for the overseeing and quality of academic activities and all coursework programs.

Postgraduate research

UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health offers the following research degrees at master's and doctoral levels:

• Master of Nursing (Honours) (C03048)
• Master of Midwifery (Honours) (C03049)
• Master of Health Services (Honours) (C03050)
• Doctor of Nursing (professional doctorate) (C02052)
• Doctor of Midwifery (professional doctorate) (C02053)
• Doctor of Health Services (professional doctorate) (C02054)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (C02024).

All research degrees require the independent preparation of a thesis that makes an original contribution to knowledge. The master's (honours) and professional doctorate degrees include required coursework in addition to the preparation of a thesis.

University rules and procedures for master's students and doctoral students apply to all research students in UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health (see rules 11.1–11.22).

Applications for research degrees

Application forms for research degrees are obtained from the University Graduate School. All requirements for documentation must be met when submitting the application. UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health uses the University's scoring system to assess applications. Applicants are assessed on the basis of a range of categories, such as academic qualifications, research publications and professional achievement. The minimum educational requirements must be met by each applicant as specified in the entry requirements for each degree. Applicants are required to have a research proposal and agreement of a suitable supervisor at the time of application. Applicants are also required to complete a supplementary form:

International applicants are required to first contact UTS International on:

Selection of supervisors

Research for a degree at doctoral and master's level must lead to a distinct contribution to the knowledge of a subject by original investigation. This involves a considerable intellectual challenge and a substantial commitment over time and necessarily depends on the relationship between the candidate and his or her supervisors. For this reason careful thought should be given by the candidate and the proposed supervisor to the questions of personal compatibility and areas of common academic and professional interests. It is essential that the project be of direct interest to the supervisor and candidate and lie within the supervisor's area of expertise.

For doctoral and master's candidates there must be a principal supervisor and a panel of supervisors (which can be composed of the alternate supervisor alone). The principal supervisor must be a member of UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health academic staff, be a registered supervisor with the University and be eligible to supervise a candidate at that level. A panel member (or alternate supervisor) may either be a member of UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health academic staff or University or a person employed outside the University of recognised standing in the field of the candidate's research. Supervisory panel members must be registered as a supervisor with the University. Supervisors of doctoral and master's candidates are appointed by the University Graduate School Board on the recommendation of the director of research.

The rules regarding the appointment of supervisors and the code of conduct for supervisors can be found at:

Regulations and responsibilities regarding supervision

While the student–supervisor relationship is a flexible one, the University requires supervisors to ensure by their advice, guidance and expertise that a particular candidate maintains satisfactory progress within the prescribed term of the candidature, that the candidate receives adequate advice both on the substance of the thesis and on the form its presentation will ultimately take, and that the work being done on the thesis is reviewed critically on a continuing basis. The way in which this is done is to be negotiated between the candidate and the supervisors.

The University acknowledges that research students have a right to effective supervision and research training. However, students have responsibilities as well in adhering to the University rules, in maintaining progress and in communicating with their supervisors.

The University Graduate School Board has produced a Code of Conduct for Supervisors, Advisors and Research Degree Candidates, available at:

Research Student Symposium

The Research Student Symposia are held twice a year in June/July (Winter session) and December (Summer session). They are designed to facilitate a number of important requirements for UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health's research students and provide an opportunity for research students, supervisors, staff and invited guests to interact in formal and informal settings. The symposium incorporates student presentation, doctoral and master's assessments (see below), plenary sessions from invited guests and workshops.

Requirements for research degree candidates

Research degree students have a number of University and faculty requirements that must be met in order to progress through the degree. Failure to meet these requirements can result in review or termination of the candidature. The Rules of the University relating to students are published at:

Students are expected to be aware of current rules and policies affecting their candidature and progression requirements. Students are required to provide current contact details and other relevant information to their supervisors, UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health and the University Graduate School. It is the candidate's responsibility to inform their supervisors, UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health and the University Graduate School of changes in their contact details or circumstances that will affect their candidature.

Progress by semester

It is the responsibility of each student and supervisor to discuss, at the beginning of each semester, the progress anticipated throughout that semester. The initial consultation between candidate and supervisor should include the establishment of a form of agreement, or contract, which identifies certain minimum requirements for that semester. These consist of setting an agenda for regular contact, presenting in the Research Student Symposia and attending the presentations of others, identifying the criteria by which to judge the progress of the research being undertaken that semester, attending coursework subject sessions and successful completion of coursework (where appropriate), and the submission of semester progress reports.

Progress reports

It is a University requirement that all research students who are enrolled and are not on leave of absence or under examination for that semester, complete and return a progress report for Autumn and Spring semesters (rule 11.13). Progress reports are sent to the student by the University Graduate School and must be completed by the student and their supervisors and returned to UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health by the due date. The faculty also requires students to complete the semester plan and report form which must be submitted with the progress report.

Student presentation

Student presentations are held during Research Student Symposia weeks. It is a condition of candidature with UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health that research degree candidates present at and attend Research Student Symposia at least once a year for part-time students and twice a year for full-time students. Candidates are not expected to present in the first semester of candidature. The presentation should relate to the student's research, area of study or methodology. These workshops provide an ideal opportunity to obtain peer review, gain insight into other research being conducted, learn new methodologies being employed and form a network with peers and academic staff. The importance of these workshops to the academic development of research degree candidates should not be underestimated.

Doctoral and master's assessment (confirmation of candidature)

It is a University requirement that all research degree students undertake a formal assessment during the early phase of their candidature. The assessment comprises an oral presentation (of up to 20 minutes) to a panel of assessors and the submission of written work (of up to 10,000 words).

The objectives of the assessment are to ensure that: candidates have the knowledge and skills to enable successful and timely completion of their research program, candidates who are not suited / equipped to work towards a research degree are made aware of this fact before they have invested considerable time and money, and there is a commitment by the University through the supervisor and UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health for the provision of sufficient human and physical resources to enable satisfactory completion of the research program.

Master's and doctoral students are required to undertake assessment before or at the end of the first two semesters for full-time students and before or at the end of the first three semesters for part-time students.

The assessment panel comprises the students principal supervisor, the co-supervisor (and panel if applicable), the chair of the panel (usually the responsible academic officer), and two external examiners, who are nominated by the candidate's supervisors and approved by the responsible academic officer. Members and students of UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health are also invited to attend as observers, but do not contribute towards the decision of the panel. After the assessment, the panel discusses the students' presentation and work.

The student is informed of the panel's determination verbally (if appropriate), or in a meeting with the chair, supervisors and student as soon as practical. The student will be informed of the panel's decision by mail within two weeks of the assessment date and copies of the letter will be forwarded to the students' supervisors and the University Graduate School. Students who do not satisfy the requirements for the doctoral or master's assessment will not be permitted to proceed with their candidature unless with the approval of the UTS Academic Board. Then, they will be invited to re-attempt the assessment six months after they have been notified in writing of the unsatisfactory outcome.

The written component of the assessment must be submitted to the research administrator no later than 14 working days before the assessment date.

The University policies and rules relating to doctoral and master's assessment can be found at:

The Guidelines for Doctoral and Master's Assessment (components and procedures) are available at:

Submission of thesis

All research degree students are required to submit a thesis (or dissertation) to complete their program. The University has a number of rules and requirements for the submission of theses. The Rules of the University relating to thesis topics, the submission of theses and the examination of theses are published at:

The University Graduate School also provides information on the requirements for thesis submission, which can be obtained from their website (www.gradschool.uts.edu.au).

It is a University requirement (rule 11.16) that candidates for doctoral degrees make an oral presentation of their work to a panel or audience. This must be completed within the six months prior to submission.

The examination process

Theses are examined by examiners (not including supervisors) who are appointed by the University Graduate School Board following recommendation by UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health. In the case of master's students, at least one of the two examiners will be external to the University; for doctoral students at least two of the three examiners will be external to the University.

Candidates for a research degree may be required to undertake an oral defence of their thesis under such conditions as determined by the University Graduate School Board.

Rules relating to the examination process are available at:

Information for research degree students

Research degrees have specified maximum durations as described in the Rules of the University. Students can complete in less than the maximum time.

Maximum duration of candidature: master's degrees

Full time = two years (four semesters)

Part time = four years (eight semesters)

Maximum duration of candidature: doctoral degrees (excluding PhD by publication)

Full time = four years (eight semesters)

Part time = eight years (16 semesters)

Maximum duration of candidature: doctoral degrees by publication

Full time = one year (two semesters)

These periods do not include periods of approved leave of absence (rule 11.9).

The maximum duration may only be extended with the approval of the University Graduate School Board (rule 11.8).

Professional doctorate and master's (honours) coursework

Coursework for professional doctorate students is typically undertaken in block sessions of three to six days. These blocks are typically held in February, July and December. Students are required to attend a block session for each subject in which they are enrolled for that semester.

Coursework for master's (honours) students is typically undertaken in class sessions that run over three to six days during the semester. Students are required to attend the class sessions for each subject in which they are enrolled for that semester.

Intellectual property

UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health has explicit guidelines relating to academic misconduct, including plagiarism. In brief, plagiarism is defined as any attempt to use the work of another person without acknowledging the source. For the purposes of this rule, 'work' is defined as written materials such as books, journals and magazine articles or other papers, and also includes films and computer programs.

At research level, students must exercise great care in acknowledging all material derived from any source; if in doubt students should consult their supervisor. Remember, even paraphrasing another person's work is defined as 'using' that person's work and must be acknowledged.

The penalties relating to a candidate found to have committed plagiarism are outlined in the UTS Rules.

Discontinuation or resolution of progress

Research degree students may have their registration discontinued if they fail to complete all prescribed work within a given period of time or if the University Graduate School Board is dissatisfied with the students progress. The Rules of the University relating to discontinuation of candidature, appeal against discontinuation and results of appeals are rules 11.20–11.22.

Appeals

In cases of appeal, a Student Assessment Appeals Committee of the Faculty Board in Nursing, Midwifery and Health considers the appeal following the criteria and procedures approved by the Academic Board.

For a detailed explanation of the rights and procedures of appeals, candidates should consult the Rules of the University published at:

Graduation

Research students should consult closely with their supervisor when anticipating graduation, as the assessment process for theses can be a time-consuming undertaking, and revisions are often required.

Graduation ceremonies are conducted during a specific period in April–May and September–October each year. Information regarding graduation will be forwarded to eligible students following the receipt of the final bound copies of the thesis.

Contacts and inquiries

Any inquiries of a non-administrative nature should, in the first instance, be directed through the student's supervisors. If this is not possible, or is inappropriate, inquiries should be directed to the research administrator, relevant course coordinator or to the director of research.

Administrative inquiries should be directed to the research administrator.

Associate Dean (Research)

The director is responsible for the overall administration and quality of the research programs and chair of the Faculty Research Committee.

Higher degree research coordinator and responsible academic officer

The coordinator is responsible for the administration and quality of the higher degrees research.

Master's and honours courses coordinator

The coordinator is responsible for the administration and quality of the master's and honours research programs.

Bachelor (Honours) courses coordinator

Research administrator

The research administrator provides administrative support to all UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health research students, including application, enrolment, progression and examination processes.

University Graduate School

The University Graduate School is responsible for the overall administration and management of research degree candidates.