Postgraduate Coursework

Entry Requirements and Application Procedure

For details on entry requirements and application procedures see the Faculty of Arts Future Students page.

Postgraduate Courses Offered in Sociology

The postgraduate programs in Sociology offer a deeper understanding of the social and cultural questions at the centre of contemporary life and investigate forms of crisis evident in contemporary social phenomena. Postgraduate students have opportunities to develop practical field work skills and a variety of research methods and critical approaches used in social analysis, including those leading up to higher degree original research. An innovative internship program is also available. The emphasis on direct experience and fieldwork based study underpins the professionally oriented focus of skills development in the courses offered. An articulated structure of postgraduate courses in Sociology is offered at Melbourne for those interested in expanding their interests and knowledge in the discipline.

Master of Social Policy (coursework only, or coursework and thesis)

The Master of Social Policy offers a curriculum that reflects cutting edge theory in a number of professional development fields. Graduates will be equipped with the skills necessary for advanced community sector management and policy making. including the skills to analyse key areas of contemporary social policy: governance, inclusion\exclusion, social capital, globalisation etc; engage with the social dimensions of social policy: race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, age etc; understand social policy as a contested process and apply research skills to a range of organisational contexts; draw on a range of disciplines and take a comparative and global focus.

NEW ELECTIVE SUBJECT: Social Inclusion and the Politics of Recognition

Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Sociology)

The postgraduate diploma allows students to undertake a research project in a specialist field of study. Students will gain advanced sociological knowledge, and advanced skills of sociological analysis and research. This knowledge and skill may provide the foundation for graduates to work in a large range of settings, including government, corporate, community and NGO sectors, thereby engaging in, and contributing to, society. The course provides a pathway to higher degree research for students who have not completed a four year BA (Honours) with a research component in sociology.

Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (Sociology)

The postgraduate certificate provides an entry point to an articulated structure of higher degree study and may qualify graduates for entry to the postgraduate diploma.

Graduate Diploma in Arts (Sociology)

The graduate diploma is similar to an undergraduate major and offers a comprehensive program of study in sociology. The course is suitable for general interest or professional development purposes and does not require a research project or thesis. Graduates are provided with a pathway to higher degree study and may qualify for entry to the postgraduate diploma.

Graduate Certificate in Arts (Sociology)

The graduate certificate provides students with a general understanding of key concepts and issues in sociology. Students undertaking this short and concentrated program of study will develop valuable skills of analysis and critique. The certificate is an entry point to an articulated structure of higher degree study.

Human Research Ethics

Honours students undertaking research that involves interviews and/or questionnaires may need to submit an ethics application to the School Human Ethics Advisory Group (SHEAG). Such an application needs to be approved BEFORE commencing your research. It is recommended that honours students aim to submit their ethics applications either to the April SHEAG meeting or, for mid-year entry, the October SHEAG meeting. For further information, consult your supervisor, and refer to the Melbourne Research Office Human Ethics site.

Research Supervision

The School's Research Supervision page provides information on academic staff research and supervision areas.

University Policy Documents

For information on University policies and guidelines in connection with your studies, please refer to the Academic Services Policy page.

Faculty of ArtsSchool of Social and Political Sciences

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