Major Project Guidelines
Project - 18 UoC (PHCM9150)
This is an in-depth study of a contemporary topic from health services management that allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and application of the principles of research at a postgraduate level and is available in the
Master of Health Management (Extension).
Project - 6 UoC (PHCM9148)
This comprises in-depth study of a contemporary public issue or topic related to the nominated specialisation and may be in the form of a small-scale research study, a case study, a program evaluation or a report on a field placement. This project is available in the following MPH plans (specialisations):
Clinical Education - Major Project (PHCM9360)
This is an in-depth study of a contemporary clinical education significance that allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and application of the principles of research at a postgraduate level.
Project Guidelines
The "Project Guidelines for Students, Supervisors and Examiners" booklet available for download below contains important information for students embarking on their major project or their project towards their MPH plan. The booklet includes guidance regarding the scope of the project and what students should aim to achieve, how to plan the project, responsibilities of student, supervisor and co-supervisor, what assessors will be looking for and other important considerations.
Project Guidelines for Students, Supervisors and Examiners
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Major projects will vary in their aims, scope and design however in general you are expected to demonstrate your ability to:
- identify and define a significant issue
- systematically collect relevant, up-to-date information about the issue
- analyse, interpret and discuss the information
- draw conclusions, make recommendations
- write a report which is consistent with academic standards at Masters level.
The length of the project is generally in the order of 10,000 to 15,000 words, and should not exceed 20,000 words. It is important that you set yourself realistic goals for the project, and not attempt a work which would be appropriate for a Research Master’s thesis. The effort involved should correspond to a half time study load for fourteen weeks.
When should I begin thinking about it?
The earlier you begin preparing for the project, the easier it is to complete within the allotted time. Candidates who choose a topic early in their degree are able to select complementary elective courses, and carry out a considerable amount of the preparation through their assignments. At the least, by the time you have completed half the course work, you should have identified your topic area, and begun discussions with your supervisor so that by the time you have finished your coursework you are ready to enrol in the major project.
It is a good idea to start planning your project during the semester prior to enrolment as it often takes time to fine-tune your proposal, find a relevant supervisor and obtain necessary approvals to undertake the study.
Enrolling in a project
You will not be able to enrol in the project online. Once your proposal has been approved by your program coordinator and supervisor, please email an enrolment request to your program administrator with the following details:
- your name
- your student number
- your supervisor's name
- your project topic
- your intended semester of enrolment. (Enrolment in the project is available in Semester 1 or Semester 2 each year)
For Master of Public Health projects email
Tessalonica Ho (tessalonica.ho@unsw.edu.au).
For Master of Health Management (Extension) projects email
Flora Lau (f.lau@unsw.edu.au).
For Master of Clinical Education email
Karin Banna (k.banna@unsw.edu.au).
Undertaking a field placement as part of your project
- You may choose to prepare a project (PHCM9148) based on a field placement. If taking this option you must provide a proposal for the field placement to your plan convenor for approval before making arrangements.
- You are expected to pay for your own travel/accommodation/living expenses at the placement.
- You will need to obtain relevant approval for travel. Please check the Risk Management Unit Travel website for details about travel and UNSW travel advisories regarding destinations with restrictions or warnings.
- You must complete the following forms with your supervisor in preparation for your field placement:
Please return these forms to Karin Banna. Karin can be contacted on k.banna@unsw.edu.au or 9385 1928 if you have any queries about the forms.
- Please also see the Fieldwork Safety Guidelines.
Submitting your project for examination
- Once your supervisor has confirmed that your major project is ready for examination, you will be required to submit one loosely bound copyof your project to your Program Administrator.
- Your project will be recorded as submitted and forwarded to your supervisor (or in some cases an alternate examiner) for examination.
- Examiners are asked to examine the project and return their examiner's report within 6 weeks of receipt.
- Once examination is complete, your program administrator will send you copies of your examiner's report. In some cases, examiners request amendments to be made. Details about these will be included with your examiner's reports.
- Once your project has been passed as 'satisfactory,' your program administrator will send you further details about remaining requirements. If you have completed all other requirements for the degree then details about graduation will also be included in the letter.
Due date for submission of your project
- The due date is the last day of the semester in which you have enrolled in the project.
- We realize that sometimes it takes longer to complete the project than expected. If you need additional time, please discuss this with your supervisor and confirm an appropriate date for submission.
- If you do not submit by the first day of the following session, you will be required to enrol in the project again for the following semester.
- If you are intending to graduate at the graduation ceremony in the following semester, early submission is necessary to ensure that there is sufficient time for examination, amendments and completion prior to the graduation deadlines.
- If you are enrolled in Session 1, your project should be submitted by the first week of July if you intend to graduate in the October graduation period.
- If you are enrolled in Session 2, your project should be submitted by the first week of December if you intend to graduate in the March-May graduation period.