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DEFINITION |
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MasterClass Program: |
MasterClass is a program targeting top performing undergraduate students (by Grade Point Average [GPA]) for intensive mode, concurrent postgraduate study intended to complement or extend knowledge gained through their undergraduate degree. The program also provides career and personal development for participants to build leadership capability in their chosen professions, business and the community. |
| MasterClass Course: |
A postgraduate certificate level qualification available through invitation or nomination for high achieving undergraduate students to study concurrently with their undergraduate or honours course. |
| MasterClass Unit: |
A specifically designed required or specified elective taught in MasterClass mode for an approved MasterClass course. |
| MasterClass Mode: |
MasterClass units are delivered in an intensive, cohort-based, participant-centred mode, during approved study periods that fall outside semester teaching dates or in intensive weekend blocks. |
| Student Centred Learning: |
An approach to curriculum in which learning is focused on the student's needs, abilities, interests, and learning styles with the teacher as a facilitator of learning. This classroom teaching method acknowledges student voice as central to the learning experience for every learner. |
| Intensive Mode: |
This approach to unit design and teaching is also known as 'block' and 'time-compressed' teaching. It attempts to make the learning experience and outcomes comparable to those achieved in a standard unit, by reorganising the learning activities and assessment to fit the shorter time period, usually through pre-reading, greater emphasis on student focused activities such as group work and out of class activities, and use of immediate and student feedback in the formative assessment activities. In doing so, teachers need to re-assess and analyse their own teaching and learning methods, curriculum, expectations, learning objectives, and those of the students and put in substantially more planning and preparation. Reported benefits of intensive classes include high levels of participation and motivation from students and facilitate stronger classroom relationships by fostering greater group cohesiveness and sociality amongst students. |
| 1. |
ADMISSION TO MASTERCLASS |
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1.1 |
To be admitted to MasterClass the student must have completed 24 credit points of any undergraduate degree at Murdoch University or of another recognised degree offered by an Australian or International Tertiary Institution. |
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1.2 |
Participation in MasterClass is by invitation or nomination. Admission to the MasterClass program is subject to panel interview and consultation with the relevant undergraduate Program Chair. |
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1.2.1 |
Invitation: Academic merit is a prerequisite for admission. Students with a high level of academic achievement as determined by a GPA of 3.25 or above across all undergraduate study at a designated date, approximately two months before the commencement of each MasterClass teaching period, will be invited to apply for the program by the Office of Postgraduate and Professional Education.
Admission to the program will be conditional on an interview by an Admissions panel normally comprised of the Director of Postgraduate and Professional Education (PPE), the Director responsible for admissions and the relevant Dean or postgraduate Program Chair from the School offering the MasterClass course. |
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1.2.2 |
Nomination: Students with strong academic performance determined by a GPA of 3.0 or above who can also demonstrate leadership qualities can be nominated for MasterClass by an academic staff member.
Leadership qualities are defined as evidence of significant achievement and demonstrated leadership actions in their chosen field, early professional life, the community, elite sport or other pursuits deemed admissible by the Director PPE and the admissions panel.
Nominations must be submitted on a nomination form and supported in writing by an academic staff member representing the student’s undergraduate major area of study. Nominations with supporting evidence are assessed on a case by case basis by a panel comprised of the Director of Postgraduate and Professional Education (PPE), the Director responsible for admissions, and the relevant Dean or postgraduate program chair. |
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1.2.3 |
Students with a GPA of less than 3.00 over the entire period of undergraduate study may be considered for admission through the nomination channel if their GPA over the most recent 24 credit points, falls within the specified eligibility range for nomination. Such students must make an application for admission to be considered and their eligibility will be determined by the process designated in 1.2.2. |
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1.3 |
Applications to MasterClass must be submitted using the University’s internal applications processes. Decisions on admissions are made by the admissions panel. |
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1.4 |
Students will be admitted to MasterClass in the teaching periods approved by Academic Council. |
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1.5 |
Students may defer an offer of admission to MasterClass for the approved teaching period on one occasion only. If a student wishes to defer for a longer period they will be required to reapply. Students entering the program by invitation who choose to defer on acceptance into the program will be required to submit a written statement explaining the circumstances that led to deferral to the admissions panel. They may not be required to undertake a further interview. |
| 2. |
INDUCTION OF MASTERCLASS STUDENTS |
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2.1 |
Each MasterClass student shall be provided with written information on MasterClass and must attend an induction session immediately prior to the commencement of their first MasterClass unit. |
| 3. |
ENROLMENT AND ENROLMENT CHANGES - MASTERCLASS STUDENTS |
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3.1 |
MasterClass courses must be approved by Academic Council and amended and discontinued in accordance with the Academic Planning Guidelines. |
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3.2 |
MasterClass students must enrol in approved, specifically designed Postgraduate units in MasterClass mode. |
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3.3 |
A MasterClass student may undertake units up to a maximum value of 8 credit points during any single MasterClass teaching period. |
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3.4 |
Concurrent study in teaching periods not approved by Academic Council for MasterClass students will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances determined by the Director of PPE, the Dean and postgraduate Program Chair of the relevant (course provider) School in consultation with the student’s undergraduate Program Chair. |
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3.5 |
Enrolment in Postgraduate units in MasterClass mode incurs postgraduate fees. Students enrolled in postgraduate units are governed by the Postgraduate Coursework Regulations and Academic Progress Rules for Postgraduate Coursework Qualifications. |
| 4. |
PROGRESSION OF MASTERCLASS STUDENTS |
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4.1 |
Students must maintain a GPA of at least 3 over their most recent 24 undergraduate credit points to continue in MasterClass. Progression will be determined by the Director of PPE in consultation with the relevant undergraduate Program Chair/s. |
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4.2 |
In the event a student does not pass a MasterClass unit, approval from the Director of PPE and the Postgraduate program chair will be required for subsequent enrolment in MasterClass units. |
| 5. |
GRIEVANCES AND APPEALS |
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5.1 |
Grievances and appeals must occur through standard Murdoch University grievance and appeals procedures. |
| 6. |
GRADUATION |
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6.1 |
To be awarded a Postgraduate qualification, MasterClass students must meet all requirements of the Postgraduate Coursework Regulations and the Academic Progress Rules for Postgraduate Coursework Qualifications. |
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6.2 |
MasterClass students may not be awarded with their postgraduate qualification before graduating with their undergraduate award. |
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6.3 |
The award of MasterClass will appear as a note on the academic transcript stating – “Graduate of the (year of completion) MasterClass Program”. |
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6.4 |
Students may graduate with the academic transcript note as per 6.3 subject to completion of all required credit points, with a minimum of two units being successfully completed in MasterClass mode. |
| 7. |
UNIT DESIGN AND QUALITY ASSURANCE |
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7.1 |
Units offered in MasterClass mode must be designed by the unit coordinator in consultation with the Director PPE, the School Dean, and the Educational Development staff in DAA, to support intensive mode, student centred learning for advanced students. The units must be designed in accordance with the University’s aligned curriculum framework, be mapped against the University’s Graduate Attributes, and contribute to a multidisciplinary learning experience. |
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7.2 |
Units selected for inclusion in MasterClass must complement or build on the knowledge acquired through the students’ undergraduate studies and form part of an academically coherent course. |
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7.3 |
Units must be independently evaluated through: |
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7.3.1 |
Unit surveys administered electronically by the TLC within one week of the final assessment submission date; |
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7.3.2 |
Teaching Surveys administered by the TLC in the final teaching session; |
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7.3.3 |
Focus groups, comprised of a minimum of 6 students from the unit, run by the TLC or nominee within two weeks of the final assessment submission date; and |
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7.3.4 |
The results of the focus groups should be examined by the relevant postgraduate Program Chair and the Director PPE to determine the suitability of the unit to continue and any required changes. |
