The Doctoral degree at Massey University
The PhD degree
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded for a thesis, which is an integrated and coherent report that demonstrates a candidate’s ability to carry out independent research, analysis and presentation of this research at an advanced level in a particular field of study. The thesis may consist of several studies or cases, in which event their relationship to one another must be demonstrated. The thesis may consist of a candidate’s published or unpublished work or a combination of both, provided this has not been used for the award of any other academic qualification. In the creative arts a thesis may consist of creative works plus a written component. Creative works should take a form appropriate to the discipline e.g. performance or exhibition.
The PhD degree normally involves a maximum of four years full-time, or six years part-time, research. It can be undertaken in most disciplines taught in the University.
While the style and format of theses differ according to the conventions of their disciplines, there are some general criteria against which a thesis is assessed at its completion, namely, that the thesis as a whole should make an original contribution to the knowledge of the subject with which it deals, and the candidate should understand the relationship of the thesis to the wider context of knowledge in which it belongs.
The thesis is examined by and defended orally before an examination committee normally consisting of a neutral convenor appointed by the DRC, one examiner from Massey University not involved in the candidate’s research, and two external examiners, one of whom will normally be from outside New Zealand.
The Named Doctorate
The Named Doctorate is a specially tailored university programme of high level study and research to support the ongoing professional development and education of existing and prospective senior managers and leaders in a wide range of professions in private and public sector institutions. The programme of study comprises:
- a structured suite of four high level courses that may include training in applied setting (120 credits); and
- a thesis investigation (240 credits) which is likely to be applied, creative or strategic in emphasis rather than basic or fundamental research, as in the PhD.
In all other respects, including the procedure for thesis examination, the named doctorate and PhD are equivalent specifically in regard to the standards of discipline, rigour and scholarship that Massey University expects of all doctoral candidates.
The Doctor of Business and Administration (DBA) targets current and potential business leaders and senior managers in the private and public sectors, who are seeking experience and expertise in reflective professional practice appropriate to a leadership role in business and administration.
The Doctor of Education (EdD) degree targets existing and prospective educational leaders and managers across all sectors of education, early years to tertiary and quasi government education agencies and organisations, who are seeking experience and expertise in reflective professional practice appropriate to a leadership role in education.
Key entry qualifications for the DBA and EdD include:
- a relevant Honours, Bachelors or Masters Degree with First Class or Second (Division 1/Upper Division) Honours, or the equivalent; and
- a background of appropriate professional leadership and management experience in either business and administration or education.
The Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych) programme is a professional qualification that prepares people to integrate practice and research in their careers as clinical psychologists. Entry criteria include a relevant Bachelors, Honours, Masters, or PhD in psychology or its equivalent as well as some entry level coursework.
The named doctorate normally involves a maximum of three or four years of full-time study depending on the programme, or up to six years part-time study. It is currently available in Business and Administration, Clinical Psychology, and Education.
The administration of the degrees - the role of the Doctoral Research Committee (DRC)
Massey University is recognised nationally and internationally for its contribution to research in many disciplines. A feature of its research base is its vigorous Doctoral programme. Currently over 1000 candidates are registered for Doctoral study. Most teaching and research areas of the University have Doctoral candidates.
While candidates undertake their research within their respective academic units, the Doctoral programme is administered centrally by the Doctoral Research Committee (DRC) which reports to the Academic Board, which in turn reports to the University Council. The DRC is supported by the Graduate Research School (GRS).
The DRC has overall responsibility for ensuring the smooth progress of Doctoral studies. It oversees the programme for, and monitors the progress of, each individual candidate from time of initial registration through to examination. The DRC is concerned not only with maintaining the highest academic standards, but also with protecting the interests of candidates and supervisors, and acting as a mediating body if disputes or difficulties arise. It meets monthly throughout the year, normally on the third Friday of each month.
The GRS, on behalf of the DRC, holds regular workshops on each campus providing support and information for candidates to assist them with their studies. The GRS also organises staff development programmes for new Doctoral supervisors at Massey University.
A list of current members of the committee is readily available from the Graduate Research School (GRS) website, http://grs.massey.ac.nz. Candidates and supervisors should know who is on the DRC, and particularly who represents their College, but any member of the DRC can be approached at any time for advice or information.
The DRC comprises:
A chairperson, normally the Dean of the Graduate Research School
The Vice-Chancellor (ex officio)The Assistant Vice Chancellor (Academic and International) or nominee
The Assistant Vice Chancellor (Research) or nominee
Nominee from Te Mata o te Tau (Academy for Maori Research and Scholarship)
One member appointed by the Pro Vice Chancellor of each College
One member appointed by each Campus Regional Chief Executive
Three academic staff members elected by the Academic Board
One representative elected annually by the representative body of Massey University students, who is enrolled as a fully registered full time Doctoral candidate
One representative elected annually by the representative body of Massey University students, who is enrolled as a fully registered part time Doctoral candidate
Up to two additional academic members may be co-optedThe Graduate Research School (GRS) assists with the management and administration of Doctoral degrees, and provides secretarial support to the Doctoral Research Committee.
