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Research

Master of Professional Studies (Research)

Domestic students International students
Master of Professional Studies (Research) (MPSR)
Entry requirements
View full details
Study mode
  • On-campus
  • Online
Campus
  • Toowoomba
Duration
  • 1.5 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Feb, Jul, Nov

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Overview

  • Do you want to contribute to your organisation or community of practice? Are you a public servant, a professional, a volunteer, or stay at home parent who wants to research a work-based topic of interest?
  • Being part of the Master of Professional Studies (Research) program means that you are contributing to a ‘triple dividend’ outcome principle. Your unique contribution leads to benefits for your own individual professional development, your organisation’s improvement, and the body of professional knowledge relevant to your practice
  • The Master of Professional Studies (Research) will enhance your engagement by participating in dynamic learning communities of students, staff, your peers or fellow professionals from around the world.
  • Your study is based on your work. Rather than traditional university programs, the Master of Professional Studies (Research) is personalised to your own work and profession, and built on an ethos of quality, engagement and support. The degree is multi-disciplinary, evidence-based higher learning, linked to the fulfilment of self-directed career development, life-long learning and personalised learning.

Further study

Successful completion of the Master of Professional Studies (Research) will qualify you to apply for the Doctor of Professional Studies or Doctor of Education.

Career outcomes

  • As a graduate, you open the door to a multitude of career opportunities. You can use this degree to illustrate your advanced standing in your profession. You can advance your career further in the public service, become a leading professional in the private sector, develop leadership in specialised practice and become a thought leader. 

Entry requirements 

  • Admission is by online application and interview
  • 3-year bachelor degree from an Australian University or equivalent plus at least 5 years experience in their field

Applicants with a bachelor degree with honours, or a masters degree, may consider applying for admission to the Doctor of Professional Studies program.

Work and life experience

You may be able to use your work experience and other adjustment factors to increase your selection rank and meet USQ's entry requirements.

English language requirements

You are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If you do not meet the English language requirements you may apply to study a University-approved English language program.

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 12 units. Most courses (similar to ‘subjects’) are valued at 1 unit. To study full-time you would usually complete 4 units per semester.

Courses to be studied Units
1 x core course 2
Professional Studies research project 8
Publishable paper 2
Total 12

Refer to the USQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 23920

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2021. 

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP. 

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Grant to help you pay your fees

All Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens commencing a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) degree will have their tuition fees paid by the Australian Commonwealth Government under the Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset scheme. The RTP Fees Offset scheme covers program fees for an HDR student up to a maximum period of four years for full-time study or up to eight years part-time study for a Doctoral degree, and up to a maximum period of two years for full-time or four years part-time for a Masters by Research degree.

As part of the enrolment process, students are required to submit proof of citizenship or permanent residency status and transcripts of all previous academic study. This documentation enables the University of Southern Queensland to determine eligibility for an RTP Fees Offset place.

Students eligible for an RTP Fees Offset place are those who:

  • have not used RTP Fees Offset funding in the previous three years; or
  • have already used RTP Fees Offset funding and have successfully completed an HDR degree. Once a student completes an HDR degree, full entitlements of RTP Fees Offset are restored.

If a student's RTP Fees Offset entitlement expires before completion of the degree, the student will be required to pay full tuition fees, or if meeting the eligibility criteria be able to apply for a FEE-Help loan. 

Scholarships

At USQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to USQ.

Apply direct to USQ

The closing dates for applying directly to USQ are:

  • Semester 1, 2021 - applications close Monday 22 February, with semester 1 commencing on Monday 22 February, 2021.
  • Semester 2, 2021 - applications close Monday 12 July, with semester 2 commencing on Monday 12 July, 2021.
  • Semester 3, 2021 - applications close Monday 15 November, with semester 3 commencing on Monday 15 November, 2021.

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at USQ that is relevant to you.

Got questions?

 

Begin your study journey today with Australia’s #1 University for graduate starting salary* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*(Good Universities Guide, 2020.)

Talk to our degree advisors