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Southern Cross University is widely acknowledged for its commitment to Indigenous culture, education, participation, respect and reconciliation.
The Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies is a program of study by coursework and research that comprises 24 units which include a research thesis. The course is designed to provide high-level research skills for Indigenous people and for those interested in careers in the Indigenous sector.
The qualification is aimed at providing important and specific opportunities at both national and international levels for Indigenous peoples, those working within Indigenous communities, the private and public sector, for the progression of in-depth studies on issues relevant to Indigenous communal futures.
In leading your own research project – with support and guidance from our experts – you'll work towards providing tangible benefits to Indigenous peoples.
In the process, you'll gather relevant, resonant skills that contribute to Indigenous Knowledges and may lead you into working with, and for, Indigenous communities.
Southern Cross University is widely acknowledged for its commitment to Indigenous culture, education, participation, respect and reconciliation.
The Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies is a program of study by coursework and research that comprises 24 units which include a research thesis. The course is designed to provide high-level research skills for Indigenous people and for those interested in careers in the Indigenous sector.
The qualification is aimed at providing important and specific opportunities at both national and international levels for Indigenous peoples, those working within Indigenous communities, the private and public sector, for the progression of in-depth studies on issues relevant to Indigenous communal futures.
In leading your own research project – with support and guidance from our experts – you'll work towards providing tangible benefits to Indigenous peoples.
In the process, you'll gather relevant, resonant skills that contribute to Indigenous Knowledges and may lead you into working with, and for, Indigenous communities.
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
Students applying for the Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies must complete a successful interview with Gnibi academics and Elders prior to entry in the degree.
Advanced standing is applied as per Rule 8 - Professional Doctorate Awards
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score or equivalent | 7.0 |
| Reading | minimum 6.5 |
| Writing | minimum 7.0 |
| Listening | minimum 6.5 |
| Speaking | minimum 6.5 |
The focus of the candidate’s research will be negotiated and agreed to by the candidate, their supervisor, and the Dean of Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples. The candidates will be encouraged to restrict their investigations to issues that are relevant and provide benefit to Indigenous peoples.
Note: Students are required to take units in all terms.
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Lismore | Term 1 |
| Online | Term 1 |
All students must attend the compulsory tutorial and residential.
International students
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lismore | Research Semester 1, Research Semester 2 | $28,000 ($3,500 per unit) | 088054C |
| Online | Term 1, Term 3 | $28,000 ($3,500 per unit) | N/A |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Phasellus eget nisi id lectus condimentum porta. Nunc consectetur ipsum vitae tincidunt tincidunt. | |||
All students must attend the compulsory tutorial and residential.
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
To be eligible to receive the Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points) of study and research comprising:
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INDG7007 | Advanced Academic Skills for Postgraduates | ||||
| INDG7004 | Indigenous Research Theory and Practice | Note 1, Note 4 | |||
| INDG7002 | Learning from Country | Note 1, Note 4 | |||
| INDG7003 | Knowing with Community | Note 3 | |||
| INDG7005 | Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies Research Proposal | Note 1, Note 4 | |||
| INDG7006 | Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies Thesis | Note 2 | |||
Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.
Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Available | Notes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award | |||||||||||||
| Part time students should undertake units in the order listed when units are available | |||||||||||||
First Year | |||||||||||||
| INDG7007 | Advanced Academic Skills for Postgraduates | Term1 | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| INDG7004 | Indigenous Research Theory and Practice | Term2 | Note 1, Note 4 | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| INDG7002 | Learning from Country | Not currently available | Note 1, Note 4 | ||||||||||
| INDG7003 | Knowing with Community | Term4 | Note 3 | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| INDG7005 | Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies Research Proposal | Summer Term Term5 | Note 1, Note 4 | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Second Year | |||||||||||||
| INDG7006 | Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies Thesis | Term1,2,3,4,5 | Note 2 | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| Note 1: | Double-weighted unit |
| Note 2: | 16-unit equivalent |
| Note 3: | Compulsory 3 hours tutorial weekly |
| Note 4: | Compulsory 1 day Residential weekly |
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
apply critical analysis to Indigenous social and cultural realities. |
develop innovative and creative responses to contemporary and historical Indigenous social and cultural issues. |
apply Indigenous knowledge systems to investigate and evaluate principles of social justice and equity. |
create and transmit concepts and theories that contribute to the emergence of knowledge in a major area of study. |
demonstrate well-developed reflective practice and autonomy in ongoing professional development. |
access, interpret and evaluate sources of information relevant to Indigenous research paradigms. |
demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to interact appropriately with diverse Indigenous communities. |
Each unit is typically assessed using three tasks, which may include a process-based assignment such as a journal, a performance-based assessment, and a report. Full details of assignments are contained in the study guide for each unit.
The coursework stage units are awarded grades of High Distinction, Distinction, Credit or Pass. In order to proceed to the thesis stage, a candidate must achieve a credit average for the coursework units.
The thesis is not formally assessed during the writing period, but is submitted for examination to external examiners upon completion. The Professional Doctorate will be awarded after the thesis has been examined and determined to meet the requirements of the award.
Students are encouraged to attend on-campus classes in order to build relationships with other students and Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples. On-campus students will experience a variety of teaching approaches based upon Indigenous pedagogy, including story-telling, yarning circles and discussions with Indigenous Elders.
Online students will receive a combination of podcast or video-linked seminars and/or engage in synchronous online video or teleconference discussions. All students are required to attend a week-long (four to five day) intensive workshop for each unit (two weeks for double-weighted units). The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Students who graduate with a Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies will be well placed for a career in research and academia, the government, professional or community sector, working in policy development, service delivery and program evaluation, and as leaders and high-level managers.
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