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Social Justice

Course resolutions

The course resolutions detailed in this page apply to all courses included in the table below under section 1 (course codes).

These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2021 (the 'Coursework Policy'), the Learning and Teaching Policy 2019, the Resolutions of the Faculty, University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021, the Academic Integrity Policy 2022 and the Academic Integrity Procedures 2022. Current versions of all policies are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies

1 Course codes

Code Course title
GCSOCJST-01 Graduate Certificate in Social Justice
GNSOCJST-01 Graduate Diploma in Social Justice
MASOCJST-01 Master of Social Justice

2  Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is full time or part time according to candidate choice.

3  Masters type

This master’s degree is an advanced learning masters course, as defined by the Coursework Rule 2014 and the Coursework Policy.

4  Embedded courses in this sequence

(1) The embedded courses in this sequence are:

(a) the Graduate Certificate in Social Justice

(b) the Graduate Diploma in Social Justice

(c) the Master of Social Justice

(2)  Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence and receive full credit for work completed in the prior award. Only the highest award completed will be conferred.

4  Embedded courses in this sequence

(1) The embedded courses in this sequence are:

(a) Graduate Certificate in Social Justice

(b) Graduate Diploma in Social Justice

(c) Master of Social Justice

(2) Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence and receive full credit for work completed in the prior award. Only the highest award completed will be conferred.

5  Streams

(1) The Graduate Diploma and Master of Social Justice are available in the following streams:

(a) Development Studies

(b) Human Rights

(c) Peace and Conflict Studies.

(2) Completion of a stream is a requirement of the Master of Social Justice and Graduate Diploma of Social Justice. The requirements for the completion of each stream are as specified in Table A for the Graduate Diploma and Master of Social Justice. Completion of a stream is a not a requirement of the Graduate Certificate of Social Justice.

6  Admission to candidature

(1) Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria. In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications but whose evidence of experience and achievement is deemed by the Dean to be equivalent.

(2) Admission to candidature for the Graduate Certificate in Social Justice requires:

(a) a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, with a major in the humanities or social sciences, or an equivalent qualification; or

(b) relevant, recent professional qualifications and experience may be assessed as suitable for admission by delegated Authority under the provision for exceptional circumstances outlined in Clause 2(5)(1)(b) and (c) of the Coursework Rule.

(3) Admission to candidature for the Graduate Diploma in Social Justice requires:

(a) a bachelor's degree with a minimum 60 percent average calculated over the whole degree, from the University of Sydney, with a major in the humanities or social sciences, or an equivalent level of performance in an equivalent qualification; or

(b) completion of the Graduate Certificate in Social Justice with a minimum credit (65 percent) average, or an equivalent qualification.

(4) Admission to candidature for the Master of Social Justice requires:

(a) a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65 percent) average calculated over the whole degree, from the University of Sydney, with a major in the humanities or social sciences, or an equivalent level of performance in an equivalent qualification; or

(b) completion of the requirements for the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Social Justice with a minimum credit (65 percent) average, or an equivalent qualification.

7  Requirements for award

(1) The units of study that may be taken for these courses are set out in Table A for the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master of Social Justice.

(2) Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Social Justice are required to complete 24 credit points, including:

(a) a minimum of 12 credit points of core units of study; and

(b) a maximum of 12 credit points from elective units.

(3) Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Social Justice are required to complete 48 credit points, including:

(a) a minimum of 18 credit points of core units of study, including one from the chosen stream; and

(b) a minimum of 18 credit points from selective units of study from the same stream; and

(c)  a maximum of 12 credit points from elective units of study.

(4) Candidates for the Master of Social Justice are required to complete 72 credit points including:

(a) 24 credit points of core units of study; and

(b) a minimum of 18 credit points of selective units of study from the same stream; and

(c) a maximum of 24 credit points from elective units of study or selectives from another stream

(d) a minimum of 6 credit points from capstone units of study.

8  Recognition of prior learning

(1) The volume of learning may be reduced as recognition of prior learning as specified in the Coursework Policy.

(2) Credit may be granted as recognition of prior learning as specified in the Coursework Policy.

(3) The limits on recognition of prior learning are as specified in the Coursework Policy.

(4) Notwithstanding, the maximum reduction in volume of learning for the Master of Social Justice is 24 credit points.

9  Award of the master’s degree, graduate diploma and graduate certificate

(1) The testamur for the Graduate Diploma and Master of Social Justice will specify:

(a) The stream completed.

10 Course transfer

(1)  A candidate for the masters degree or graduate diploma may elect to discontinue study and graduate with a shorter award from this sequence, with the approval of the Dean, and provided the requirements of the shorter award have been met. In the event of such an election, the recognition of prior learning would be as specified in the Coursework Policy for that award.

11 Commencement of these resolutions

(1)  These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January 2023. Students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January 2023 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement.