Chapter 2: Admission to doctoral candidature

2.11 Probationary candidature

Probationary candidature normally applies for all doctoral candidates, except where doctoral candidates have transferred from a research master’s degree. See also Section 3.9 in Chapter 3.

Note: Many skills training and coursework requirements typically need to be completed prior to the end of probationary candidature. See Appendix J for faculty-specific conditions. In cases where a candidate needs to repeat a program element, an extension of the probationary period may be sought, in accordance with advice from the Program Director and GRC.

2.11.1 PhD and Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Candidature will be confirmed subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report of progress at the end of the 12-month (full-time) or 24-months (part-time) period of probationary candidature. Where a candidate has made exceptional progress, candidature may be confirmed after a minimum of six months’ full-time or 12 months’ part-time candidature.

Alternatively, a recommendation may be made for initial enrolment as a master’s candidate followed by transfer to doctoral candidature, normally after one year full-time equivalent as a master’s candidate. In this case, the period of time spent as a master’s candidate will count towards doctoral candidature.

For those Monash University members of staff who undergo a period of pre-candidature (see 2.1.1.2) ratification of formal candidature admission is via a confirmation process. The normal confirmation requirements shall apply. Additionally, such candidates are also required to submit a scholarly piece of work judged by the review panel to be equivalent to a paper accepted for a refereed journal or presented at a national or international research conference.

Candidates applying for confirmation of candidature should refer to the Confirmation & Non-Confirmation Procedures.

2.11.2 Doctor of Psychology (DPsych)

All candidates are admitted to probationary candidature in the first instance. Candidature will be confirmed subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report of progress at the end of 18 months of full-time candidature for DPsych (Clinical) and DPsych (Clinical Neuropsychology) and after 12 months for DPsych (Organisational).

Please note that commencing candidates are no longer being admitted to the DPsych (Organisational) program as the course has been discontinued. Confirmation requirements still apply to existing DPsych (Organisational)  candidates.

2.11.3 Doctor of Public Health (DPH), Doctor of Public Health – Global Health (DrPH) and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

All candidates are admitted to probationary candidature in the first instance. Candidature will be confirmed subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report of progress at the end of the first full-time equivalent year.

Please note that commencing candidates are no longer being admitted to the DBA program as the course has been discontinued. Confirmation requirements still apply to existing DBA candidates.

2.11.4 Doctor of Education (EdD) and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

Candidature will be confirmed after 18 months of full-time candidature or 3 years of part-time candidature when the candidate has successfully completed the coursework component of the course and presented a satisfactory research proposal before a faculty review panel.

2.11.5 MPsych (Counselling)/PhD; MPsych (Educational and Developmental)/PhD

Confirmation of candidature will normally occur 9–12 months into the PhD program.

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