8.13 ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION - GENERAL

*8.13.1Nomenclature for Specialisation (Documents for Consideration, Discussion or Noting - p

108 and Late Paper 1 )

At the November 2010 meeting of Programs Committee, the School of Health Human Sciences sought

guidance regarding what would be necessary to have a specialisation listed on a testamur if the

school moves to a generic Masters.

As the term 'specialisation' has not been defined in SCU Policy it was recommended an

investigation be undertaken regarding how the terms major, specialisation, strand and stream

are used. The findings of this investigation were reported in a discussion paper provided by

John Stevens, Director of Post Graduate Education, Health and Human Sciences.

The extract from the Programs Committee draft minutes was attached.

Chair of Academic Board asked that this item be expedited from Programs Committee

deliberations.

Background:

While distinctively-named awards have a particular benefit in the marketplace, for several

years there has been concern over the proliferation of postgraduate awards with similarly-named

titles, e.g. the Master of Clinical Science has fifteen (15) named variations. Despite there

being considerable overlap in requirements, each of these awards has its own set of Specific

Award Rules. Consequently, a change to any requirement usually means all fifteen awards need

Course Change Submissions.

The School of Health and Human Sciences has led the process for change: determining its

students' needs; investigating University-wide practice; 22 Confirmed minutes from the Academic

Board meeting held on 28 April 2011

consultation with Programs Committee; and investigating system-wide practices. This proposal is

the result of that work.

The inclusion of the term 'specialisation' will also need to be included in other sections of

Academic Policy, where appropriate.

Following some feedback from Student Services suggesting some minor changes and the addition of

a resolution to add the definition of a specialisation to Rule 1.1 of the Rules Relating to

Awards, the following (as per late paper 1) replaced the resolutions drafted on pages 14 and 15

of the agenda papers.

The inclusion of a specialisation within course award rules is restricted to courses requiring

a specialisation for accreditation and professional recognition until the completion of the

recently proposed Postgraduate Coursework Review.

It was resolved:

(1) That Academic Board approves and agrees to forward to Council for noting:

(a) the inclusion in its Academic Policy of the following definition:

Specialisation

Within postgraduate awards, a specialisation may be indicated. A specialisation:

i. will be comprised of a minimum of four (4) units and normally a maximum of eight (8) units

ii. will build upon core units in the award, i.e. pre-requisites come from within the award

iii. will be built by the School or College to suit the needs of the award of which it is a

part

iv. can include units from other Schools or Colleges with consultation

v. will be named and approved by Academic Board

vi. be named on the award's testamur



(b) the inclusion of the term 'specialisation' in Academic Policy Appendix 2.10(a) - (c); 2.10

(e); where appropriate.

(c) the inclusion of the term 'specialisation' in the Course Change Submission definition of

Academic Policy, as detailed in the attachment.

(2) That Academic Board agrees to recommend Council approve the inclusion of the definition of

a 'specialisation' as Rule 1.1(aj) in the Rules Relating to Awards; and the current Rule 1.1

(aj) onwards be renumbered accordingly.

(R Smith/I Graham)





Clauses Amended

Policy: All