Graduate/Postgraduate Assessment Policy

Please note that this policy will be replaced by the Assessment in Coursework Programs Policy and the Unit Assessment Procedures as of 15 February 2010.  Details can be found in Current Policy Projects.

Assessment of Graduate/Postgraduate Coursework Awards

It has been recommended that greater emphasis be placed on assignments and other work than on examinations in assessment regimes, because of the higher level of analytical skills expected from graduate/postgraduate students. Faculties may wish to consider incorporating this advice into their policies regarding graduate/postgraduate assessment.

Assessment of Research Projects

Where a student attempts a research project at Masters level which is described for administrative purposes as a unit, the rules governing the revision and resubmission of PhD theses shall be considered to apply, and the candidate should be given a specified time frame within which to complete any necessary amendments prior to re-examination of the project. It is possible, however, for the candidate to be deemed to have been unsuccessful in completing the project, and be required to re enrol for the unit, as for any other unit attempted. In all units described as research projects, a statement must be included in the description of the unit to indicate whether this clause applies.

The re-assessment of any other work submitted for assessment should be undertaken following the guidelines developed in accordance with any relevant Monash University assessment policies. Such guidelines should be readily available to students.

Non-Traditional Work

In a number of Monash award programs, non-traditional work, necessitating non-traditional assessment methods are part of the course structure (eg music, theatre studies, art and design). Although the assignments may be non-traditional, faculties and departments/schools should ensure that clear definitions of acceptable work are transmitted to, and understood by students, that records are kept of progress in the work, and that, where a performance is part of the assessment, a recording, whether on audio or video tape, is made to allow re-evaluation if necessary.

Grading of Work

Some Monash Masters degrees are awarded in one level only, while other faculties award Masters degrees to all students who can be assessed as reaching the equivalent (allowing for the higher level in question) of HIIB or Credit level or above. It is recommended that even in those programs where the Masters degree is awarded in one level only, that students be informed at enrolment that there is a minimum level of attainment required for the award of the degree, and that that standard be set at HIIB or Credit level.

Doctoral theses are ungraded.

Comparison Between Disciplines and With Other Universities

It is expected, since assessment relates to the level of enrolment, that all faculties will have scales of assessment which allow comparison. Plainly, this means that one faculty should not place higher expectations on its students than does another, nor should research students be expected to perform at a significantly higher level than coursework students in Masters programs. On the other hand it is acknowledged that masters by research candidates at both masters and doctoral level require a degree of scholarly independence which is not required of a student studying in a coursework program.

In terms of intra-university comparability, where practicable, faculties shall maximise the use of external examiners. Periodically small samples of Monash student work shall be evaluated externally, to ensure that this university does not inadvertently adopt grading scales and policies which make it considerably more difficult or more easy for students to attain certain results than those in force at other Australian universities. This process is conducted regularly in research programs, but should be instituted for all graduate/postgraduate courses, perhaps on a reciprocal basis.

Purpose

The objective of this policy is to provide guidance to faculties in the development of graduate/postgraduate assessment tasks.

Scope

This policy applies to all graduate/postgraduate coursework students. The statements made below are to be considered in addition to the statements made in the general coursework Assessment Policy and Procedures.

Assessment of doctoral and research Master degrees are covered comprehensively in policy documents issued by the Monash Research Graduate School.

Related Documents

• Qualifications Categories Policy and Procedures
• Dual Listed Units Policy
• Doctoral Information Handbook
• Grading Scale Procedures
• Examinations Policy and Procedures
• Assessment of Coursework Policy and Procedures
• Special Consideration Policy and Procedures
• Alternative Arrangements for Assessment Policy and Procedures

Governing Documents

• Monash University Act 1958
• Statute 6.1.5 – Examinations
• Examinations Regulations

Responsibilities for Implementation

• University wide - Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)
• Faculty wide - Faculty Managers/Registrars, Deans, Associate Deans (Teaching/Research)

Review Schedule

Academic Board shall consider this policy for review three years after approval, or earlier if required.

Approved

Approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) on 2 December 2002

Change to "Responsibilities for Implementation" made by Education Committee Meeting 6/2005, 26 October 2005.