Major study areas for Diploma of Tertiary Studies

ARTS STREAM

AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS STUDIES

In this discipline, students are encouraged to engage with what it means to be an Australian today, how our history might have unfolded differently, and how Australia can further enhance its democratic ideals. They use a comparative approach to understand key issues and experiences of Indigenous peoples not only in Australia, but in international contexts.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications focuses on the role of media in society and how this influences the way we receive communications and the way we communicate with each other. Today, we get most of our news and knowledge from mass media and social media, so it is vital that students learn about the structures of communications industries and how to critically analyse the media.

COMMUNITY WELFARE AND COUNSELLING

Our community welfare and counselling program is vocationally-driven - we aim to give students the knowledge and skills that they need for ethical and social welfare practice. Graduates have the necessary skills to participate in a number of fields - counselling, child protection, disability services, youth justice, aged care, homelessness, family violence. While they are studying, we also provide students with work placements in welfare agencies so that they can see what it's really like to work in these areas.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Criminal justice addresses the complex issue of crime and the way in which it affects the lives of us all. It draws on diverse areas including psychological studies, sociology and Indigenous studies to stimulate fresh thinking. Students compare regional, state, national and international crime and crime prevention policies, while also considering radical alternatives for dealing with crime.

HISTORY-POLITICS

History and politics are two very interrelated disciplines - so why not study them together? In history-politics at Monash, students build their knowledge of the history and politics of Europe, Australia, Asia, the US and international relations. Students gain a deeper understanding on the past and present world, as well as continuity and change in human society.

JOURNALISM

Our journalism program is the largest undergraduate journalism program in Australia. Our students are taught by real journalists. Through a combination of academic and practice-based work, students gain a solid foundation in all production technologies - print, video, radio and online - in metropolitan, regional and international contexts.

PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES

Psychological studies provides a sequence of units that cover popular applied areas of psychology, such as forensic psychology, the psychology of sport, and psychology and work. It is ideal for students who are not intending to take up psychology as a profession, but want to complement studies in education, social welfare, journalism, criminal justice and sociology.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Public Relations (PR) is primarily about building and maintaining relationships for the mutual benefit of those involved. Our PR area of study is accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Australia. It is designed to equip students with the relevant and necessary skills for the profession, such as effective writing, critical thinking, active listening, decision-making, and persuasiveness.

SOCIOLOGY

Sociology explores people and the relationships that they have in different contexts such as families, schools and workplaces. Sociologists look to things like social class, gender, ethnicity, power and culture to understand and explain the differences in how people live, think and feel.

WRITING

Writing at Monash offers students the opportunity to understand a range of writing practices and to become familiar with different kinds of writing and language use for different audiences and purposes. Students gain a detailed understanding of the range of techniques used in contemporary writing practice, and graduate with valuable analytical, editorial and creative skills, applicable to a variety of careers.

VISUAL AND MEDIA ARTS STREAM

Students can choose units in the visual arts studio stream or digital stream.

BUSINESS STREAM

BUSINESS STRATEGY

The conduct of every enterprise is underpinned by its long-term strategy. The strategy identifies a company's values, mission, vision and objectives and provides direction for the business. The policies, plans, activities and operations are a product of the strategy. In short, the strategy guides business decision-makers who determine how a business operates.

DATA VISUALISATION AND MODELLING

This major will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to transform complex business data into compelling and easily accessible graphs, charts and simulations that are powerful aids to corporate, government and consumer decision making.

ECONOMICS AND FINANCE

This interdisciplinary field of study addresses issues of how financial markets impact on the economy, and how this is important for business and public policy decision-making.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

International business is the study of international firms: their strategy, corporate policies and operations. It includes the study of the international business environment in so far as the environment affects firms. Consequently, modes of entry, coordinating structures and firm internationalisation are studied along with the economic, political, legal and cultural environment of international business. Almost all firms compete in international markets or compete against international competitors. Accordingly, this specialisation prepares graduates for leadership roles in contemporary businesses.

QUANTITATIVE ECONOMICS

Quantitative economics is an interdisciplinary area of study that combines economics with business statistics and econometrics. Quantitative analysis is an increasingly important aspect of contemporary business practice. On completion of the major graduates will be able to apply principles of economics and statistical methods to decision making in the areas of business and public economic policy.

SPORTS MANAGEMENT

Sport is a global business and one of the world's most important cultural activities. Sport management focuses on the cultural and economic influences of sport and the marketing and administration of sport.

TOURISM

The study of tourism includes the behaviour and motivations of tourists, businesses that service the tourists and economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism. Skills developed are primarily in management, marketing and business studies and include critical thinking, research, analysis and communication.

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE STREAM

ACCOUNTING

Knowledge and understanding of accounting is an essential requirement for successful management. The wide range of accounting units offered by the Department of Accounting and Finance caters for aspirants seeking success in the accounting profession; and others, majoring in related disciplines, seeking to be competent users of accounting reports. The area of study includes units which concentrate attention on the preparation and audit of financial reports for managers, owners and other interested parties. Validated and effective financial reports enable performance measurement and control of individuals within teams, corporations, non-government organisations, governments and other entities.

ECONOMICS

Economics considers how to allocate scarce resources to maximise people's welfare. Microeconomics examines decisions of individuals, business and government, and the structure of industries and markets. Macroeconomics examines behaviour of the economy as a whole, such as economic growth, inflation and unemployment.

FINANCE AND MACROECONOMICS

Finance and macroeconomics is an interdisciplinary field of study combining economics and finance. The issues of how financial markets impact on the economy, and how the economy influences financial markets, are important for business and public policy decision-making.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Human resource management is the study of managing people within the employer/employee relationship. It covers strategies and activities that enable people to fulfill their individual needs in the work environment as well as achieve the organisation's strategic business objectives.

MANAGEMENT

A management major leads to career opportunities in the public, private and non-profit sectors, e.g. in manufacturing, technology and service industries, in commerce, and in provision of community services such as health. Skills in industrial relations and human resource management are in demand across all sectors.

MARKETING

Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and process of creating, communicating, delivering and exchanging offerings that have value for customers and clients.

EDUCATION STREAM

EDUCATION (EARLY CHILDHOOD)

The earliest years of a child's education are critical. Studies in early childhood allow students to gain a deeper understanding of child development, learn theories and early childhood pedagogy, build understanding of early childhood curriculum development, critically reflect on current issues in early childhood education, family studies and research, and gain an appreciation for the culturally diverse situations of early childhood settings.

EDUCATION (PRIMARY)

Studies in primary education provides a comprehensive knowledge of the theoretical foundations of education, curriculum studies and provides practical experiences. Students complete professional placements in schools and other appropriate settings, including opportunities to gain overseas or remote practical experiences.

EDUCATION (SPORT AND OUTDOOR RECREATION)

The study of sport and outdoor recreation is tailor-made for people who want to develop their knowledge and passion for sport and outdoor recreation, and who have an interest in the relationship between physical activity, recreation and leisure, health and wellbeing, sustainability, leadership and education, and sports and movement studies. Students combine in-depth academic study with exciting teaching placements and fieldwork programs. Students undertake analysis of the theories of sport and outdoor recreation plus complete a sequence in another discipline selected from a range of business, science, arts and education subjects.

NURSING STREAM

Students can choose units in nursing or nursing practice.

SCIENCE STREAM

Students can choose units in Biology, or:

CHEMISTRY

Chemistry is the study of substances: their makeup, structure and composition; how they behave; and how they may be measured, harnessed and transformed for useful applications in the worlds of materials, medicine, technology and the environment.

ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Ecology explores the interactions between plants, animals and their habitats. The ecology and environmental management major has a particular focus on understanding ecosystems and ecological processes. Students learn how to apply scientific principles to understand natural systems. This understanding is applied to current questions regarding the past, current and future impacts of human activities on organisms, ecosystems and the environment. Graduates will be well prepared to make appropriate and informed decisions about the management and/or conservation of our environment, its ecosystems and the plants and animals that they support.

MATHEMATICS

Mathematical techniques and models form a significant component of nearly all branches of modern science. Mathematics is also an important discipline in its own right, and encompasses the formal study of numerical, algebraic and analytical structures, the development of quantitative methods essential for the practice and development of science, engineering, economics and other fields, and the development and utilisation of mathematical and numerical models in various contexts.