Handbook for Doctoral Study

Published by the Doctoral Research Committee, Massey University, January 2011.

Contents

The Doctoral Degree at Massey University

• The PhD degree
• The Named Doctorate
• The administration of the degrees

Entering the programme

• Acceptance in principle for Doctoral study
• Provisional registration
  
  • Theses in Te Reo Maori
  • Head of Academic Unit certification
  • Determination of academic unit and resourcing
  • Topic of research
  • Ethical approval
  • Appointment of supervisors
  • Candidate communication and accountability
  • Facilities
  • Cost and sources of funds
  • Full-time and part-time candidature
  • Paid employment during Doctoral study
  • Statement of expectations
  • Course work in the PhD provisional year
• Transfer from Master's to PhD degree
  
  • Specific criteria for transfer
  • Application process
  • Duration of PhD candidature
• Massey University staff enrolling in Doctoral degrees
• Conditions of candidacy
• Study off campus
• Finances and resources
  
  • University services
• Policy on resource minima for postgraduate students
• Ethics
• Health and Safety
• Commercial sensitivity
• Intellectual property rights
• Formal enrolment
• International student visa renewal
• Fees
• Library Services

Progressing through the programme

• Six-monthly reports
• Confirmation of registration
• Reconsideration of course work for the Named Doctorate
• Supervisor-candidate responsibilities and relationships
  
  • Supervisors' responsibilities
  • Co-supervisors responsibilities
  • Candidates' responsibilities
  • Change of supervisor(s)
• The Doctoral experience
• Dealing with problems
• Suspension
• Extension
  
  • Compensatory Extension
  • Extension
• Termination or Withdrawal
• Exit qualifications for candidates who withdraw from a Named Doctorate
• Guidelines for re-registration or transfer from another university
  
  • Evidence of achievement and skills
  • Application process
• Protocol for staff wishing to undertake Doctoral study at another university

The Thesis

• Planning and Writing
• Presentation
• Plagiarism
• Submission of a thesis based on publications
• Thesis Embargo
  
  • Grounds for embargo
  • Authority thesis embargo

Submission and examination

• Submission
• Examination
  
  • Appointment of examiners
  • Examiners' thesis assessment reports
  • Role of convenor before the oral examination
  • Oral examination
  • Determining the result
  • Candidates' and supervisor's access to the examiners' reports
  • Administrative follow on
• Dean's List of Exceptional Doctoral theses
• Finalisation of examination result
• Public record
• Graduation
• Appeals

Appendix I: DRC proformas

Appendix II: Services relevant to Doctoral studies

Appendix III: Degree Regulations

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Last updated on Tuesday 28 February 2012