Academic Regulations
1. Inquiries for PhD candidacy are previewed by the Director of Postgraduate Studies and the Registrar. Potential supervisors are identified in consultation with the Principal.
2. A formal application is prepared by the applicant in consultation with the supervisor-designate for consideration by the Postgraduate Committee.
3. If candidacy is approved by the Board of Studies on the recommendation of the Postgraduate Committee an application for enrolment at the University of Western Sydney (UWS) (http://www.uws.edu.au/about/adminorg/devint/ors/degrees/prospective/applicationforms) may be prepared. Applications close on 31st March and 31st October for the following semester. This application should be submitted to the Moore College Registrar for lodging with UWS.
4. As the UWS process for considering applications is a lengthy one, research may commence and early priority should be given to preparation of the detailed thesis proposal. This document is a Moore College requirement and not of UWS. However, it is very helpful for it to be available to UWS when identifying its supervisors. It is to be a 2,000 word essay detailing the proposed thesis topic and approach to research. The following headings should be included in the essay:
4.1. Topic; | 4.2. Introduction; |
4.3. Statement of problem; | 4.4. Proposed research; |
4.5. Methodology and parameters | 4.6. Tentative outline of thesis; and |
4.7. Preliminary Bibliography (25 items key items) (Books/articles already consulted and yet to be sourced/consulted) | |
When endorsed by the MTC supervisor this is submitted to the MTC Postgraduate Committee for approval.
5. Once UWS have offered the applicant a place and advised the name(s) of its supervisors it is the responsibility of the MTC supervisor to take the initiative in arranging a meeting of the supervision panel. This should consist of the MTC supervisor and co-supervisor and the Principal Supervisor from UWS.
At that meeting the following need to be addressed:
5.1. The MTC thesis proposal needs to be endorsed or an agreement documented to modify it;
5.2. The first year milestones need to be agreed;
5.3. The UWS document ‘Thesis Proposal: Information for thesis proposal advisory committee members’ needs to be reviewed and a preliminary plan agreed for the student to prepare for the presentation and defence of the thesis proposal agreed. This agreement should include names of other Moore College faculty who will be present for the presentation.
5.4. A program of meetings with UWS Principal Supervisor needs to be agreed.
6. Soon after the foregoing meeting a program of meetings between the MTC supervisor and the student needs to be agreed.
7. Part-time candidates are required to undertake the first two semesters as full-time residential students. Thereafter those wishing to reside outside Sydney metropolitan area must spend at least two weeks per year in Sydney.
8. All candidates are required to participate in MTC’s program of Advanced Topic Seminars and, where appropriate, Biblical Studies Research Seminars. This includes the presentation, at least once per year, of an abstract of their research to date. The MTC supervisor is required to attend this presentation. Normally, students are required to participate in all such seminars offered by MTC (usually four per year). However, students residing outside the Sydney metropolitan area may apply to the Postgraduate Committee for permission to participate in a lesser number. In such cases, students are expected to combine visits to Sydney for seminars with face-to-face consultations with their supervisor.
9. Candidates are required to participate in the College’s program of Advanced Topic Seminars and where appropriate Biblical Studies Research Seminars. This includes the presentation, at least once per year, of an abstract of their research to date. The supervisor is required to be present for that presentation. Normally students must participate in all such seminars offered by the College (usually four per year). However, students residing outside the Sydney metropolitan area may apply to the Postgraduate Committee for permission to participate in a lesser number. In such cases, students are expected to combine visits to Sydney for seminars with face to face sessions with their supervisor.
10. Changes to a thesis topic may be initiated by the student, the supervisor or the Postgraduate Committee. Changes must be approved by the Board of Studies on the recommendation of the Postgraduate Committee and then submitted to UWS through the Principal Supervisor.