Communication
Postgraduate Research

The research higher degree programs of specific interest to Communication graduates are:

A list of the topics of current RHD students is also provided below.

Master of Creative Arts (MCA)

To qualify for the degree of Master of Creative Arts a candidate shall fulfill a program approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) consisting of:

• a substantial creative work; and
• a work of critical analysis which must provide a rationale for the techniques and strategies adopted and which must situate them in relation to a theoretical, and/or historical cultural context; and, where appropriate, a substantial account of production and/or performance process; and
• such other work as may be prescribed.

Normal entry to candidature in the degree is a relevant Bachelor degree with Honours Class I or II.

Degree rules are outlined in the Policy Library document: Master of Creative Arts 1 - Schedule 000203

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

The degree of Master of Philosophy is an ungraded degree awarded for research that demonstrates that the candidate has a thorough understanding of the relevant techniques in the field. This is demonstrated both by their application and a thorough review of the literature that they have:

• managed to demonstrate competence in the chosen field through judicious selection and application of methods to yield fruitful results;
• shown the capacity to evaluate these results critically; and
• the capacity to present well written work.

Candidates are expected to complete their degree within two years of full-time or four years of part-time study.

Normal entry to candidature in the degree is a relevant Bachelor degree with Honours Class 1 or 2/1.

Degree rules are outlined in the Policy Library document: Master by Research - Schedule 000216

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy is an ungraded degree awarded for research that demonstrates that the candidate has the capacity to conduct research independently at a high level of originality and quality. The research should uncover new knowledge either by:

• the discovery of new facts,
• the formulation of theories, or by
• the innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas.

Candidates are expected to complete their degree within four years of full-time study or eight years of part-time study.

Normal entry to candidature in the degree is a relevant Bachelor degree with Honours Class 1 or 2/1 or equivalent qualification, or a coursework Master degree including a minor thesis completed at an appropriate level.

Degree rules are outlined in the Policy Library document: Doctor of Philosophy - Schedule 000091

• MPhil: Use of Mobile Phones to Map Community Access and Participation
• MPhil: Effect of Centralisation on Regional Radio: Case Study of the Super Radio Network (SRN) in Northern NSW and South East Queensland
• MPhil: Pulling the Plug on Localism: Exploring the demise of local content in regional television news, through a case study of the Hunter region
• PhD: The Creative Process and Journalism
• PhD: Journalism and he creative process
• PhD: The Australia -Indonesia Relations (A Study of the Opinion Among Indonesian Residents in Australia About Australia-Indonesia Relations)
• PhD: Achieving Intended Outcomes: The strategic construction of meaning in public relations practice
• PhD: Investigating the Production Process for a Producer/Writer/Director of Video Documentaries
• PhD: Unterstanding Cultural Knowledge: Exploring the impact of mobile phones on the formation of identity for young Australians
• PhD: Staging Literary Discourse: Anthropology as an Exploratory Means
• PhD: The Implications of Globalization on Local Radio
• PhD: The Creation of Australian Children's Literature
• PhD: Communication Of Place And Identity
• PhD: Rock, This City: A History of Rock Music in Newcastle (1973-1987)