Program summary

Program title: Master of Regional Planning by Research
Award abbreviation: MRegPlan by Research
Degree type: higher degree by research
Study mode: internal
Duration: 1 year minimum, 2 years maximum full-time; 2 years minimum, 4 years maximum part-time.
Commence: students can apply and start throughout the year, subject to program requirements
Fee type 2011: domestic higher degree by research places, international fee-paying places
USC program code: AR863
CRICOS code: 070697D

The Master of Regional Planning by Research provides an opportunity to foster research in planning and offers a stepping stone towards PhD research in the planning discipline.

The program is designed for graduates of four-year undergraduate regional and urban planning programs. It may also be of interest to experienced practitioners who face a specific planning issue in their professional life and seek to research the matter in depth.

Research areas

Possible research areas include topics of interest to existing staff, coastal management, water allocation and planning, urban planning and design issues, and dispute resolution in planning.

Admission requirements

Candidates for the award of Master of Regional Planning by Research are normally required to hold:

• a Planning Institute of Australia (or other professional planning accreditation body affiliated with the World Planning Schools Association) accredited four-year degree in planning

      or

• an honours undergraduate degree in a planning-related area and relevant planning experience to the satisfaction of the Program Leader

International students need to refer to the University’s English language proficiency requirements.

Program structure

During candidature you must complete one required course — CMN575 Environmental and Resource Economics — and compile a thesis of 30,000–35,000 words. You are required to conduct research that can be written up as a scholarly thesis. You must demonstrate research competency and the ability to make a significant and original contribution to the body of knowledge in your chosen area of specialisation.

As a candidate you must clearly articulate in your research outline, the topic, background, rationale, research question, aim and objectives, methodology, research methods and techniques, and timeframe. Your research outline is to include a literature review that relates to the research question and objectives. The results of your research activities should be presented succinctly and accurately and as necessary could be supported by more detailed annexures. Your syntheses analysis and discussion must clearly focus on the research question and the objectives of the work. Conclusions and recommendations must be drawn from your analysis and discussion and reflect the attainment of the aim and the way in which the research question is addressed.

Program requirements and notes

1. Prospective applicants wishing to undertake a Master of Regional Planning by Research will need to find a suitable supervisor by contacting the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
2. For further information, refer to the Research Masters Degrees - Governing Policy
3. Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
4. Refer to the research areas for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
5. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
6. Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.

Enrolment and fees

1. In any semester, full-time enrolment comprises 0.500 EFTSL. **
2. In any semester, part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL. **
3. The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date.
4. Candidates pay full tuition fees. For selected students these fees are covered by the Research Training Scheme. These scholarships are allocated by faculties, in consultation with the Research Degrees Committee.

** EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL.

Enquiries

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences/Program Leader
Associate Professor Johanna Rosier
Tel: +61 7 5459 4877
Fax: +61 7 5430 2883
Email: jrosier@usc.edu.au

Teaching and Research Services
Research Training Officer
Tel: +61 7 5459 4526
Fax: +61 7 5430 1177
Email: researchtraining@usc.edu.au

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