MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, HR MANAGEMENT AND SPORTS MANAGEMENT

2017 Guide to Honours in

deakin.edu.au/business

COURSE TITLE

Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)

COURSE CODE

M400

TOTAL CREDIT POINTS

8

CAMPUS

Melbourne Burwood Campus

AWARD GRANTED

Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)

DURATION

1 year full time

CRICOS PROVIDER CODE

002395D

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Bachelor of Commerce Honours program is a fourth year of full-time study offered by Deakin Business School. It is a program for outstanding and motivated students with a desire for advanced learning in their chosen discipline.

Honours is a specialised year of study available in the disciplines of Accounting, Economics, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing and Sports Management. An Honours year allows you to draw together the theory and practical skills gained in your undergraduate studies and develop an in-depth knowledge of your particular discipline through research and additional course work.

Honours awards provides you with exciting opportunities and experiences to expand your skill base before moving onto employment or postgraduate study. It is also the standard (and shortest) pathway for entry into research degrees.

The program cultivates analytical and critical thinking skills and advances an awareness of emerging developments in the discipline area and business in general.

Academic staff work closely with students to provide the essential research training required to conduct independent and high quality research and to ensure that you are able to take advantage of the program’s opportunities and challenges. The program is reviewed annually to ensure consistent high standards are maintained and current developments are included.

This brochure focuses specifically on the Honours program for the disciplines of Management, Marketing, Human Resource Management (HRM) and Sports Management.

12017 GUIDE TO HONOURS IN MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, HR MANAGEMENT AND SPORTS MANAGEMENT

BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM

The program is a key qualification to accelerate career advancement and enhance employment opportunities. The research training and coursework components build core capabilities in research, insight, specialist and professional domains.

Graduates gain a competitive edge in industry due to advanced analytical and technical skills in their chosen field (Management, Marketing, HRM or Sports Management). They are also able to differentiate themselves through development of specialist expertise in an area sought after by employers.

Personalised supervision and mentoring is provided to each student in the Honours program in order to achieve deeper disciplinary knowledge and build superior communication and presentation skills. Students are also supported in the development of their individual initiative and responsibility for learning, project management and industry engagement.

The Deakin Business School conducts regular research seminars and workshops presented by members of staff, postgraduate students and local and international visiting scholars. Students are encouraged to attend as part of their research training and to acquire a broader understanding of university life and the role of academic research.

Successful completion of the program is a major step to becoming a professional practitioner and/or researcher in your chosen discipline. Subject to performance, the program can be a PhD entry qualification for universities within Australia and overseas.

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Admission requirementsTo be considered for admission into the program you must have:

• completed a bachelor degree

• obtained at least a mid-credit average in years two and three of your degree, and

• completed a major in the discipline you wish to apply for.

Admission is not automatic, as places are limited. Selection will be based on merit, based on academic skills and capability of completing the Honours year at a high level. Students may be invited to an interview before selection.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The Honours program provides students with a structured introduction to the conduct of research inquiry at an advanced level. Students undertake eight credit points of study (four credit points of coursework units and four credit points representing an individual and original research project).

The coursework component of the Honours program focuses on the theoretical foundations of research design and research methods as well as the current specialty literature (management, marketing, HRM, sports management). Each of these units have a class contact component of three hours per week.

The research component of the Honours program requires students to conduct and report on an original research project that addresses a significant issue in business. Each student will be assigned one or two research supervisors who will act as mentors for the student and provide substantial advice and guidance throughout the Honours program. Potential students are encouraged to discuss their research interests with the Honours Program Co-ordinator and other members of the teaching staff in their related discipline in order to achieve the best “match” for each student.

The structure of the program is as follows:

Trimester 1: Four compulsory coursework units (1 credit point each) to be undertaken.

• MMC401 Qualitative Research for Business

• MMC402 Research Design Strategies for Business

• MMC403 Quantitative Research Methods for Business

• MMC404 Research Paradigms for Business

Trimester 2: A compulsory research thesis (equivalent to 4 credit points).

• MMC410 Research Project*

* Students will begin working on their thesis topics during Trimester 1. It is expected that students will work with the Honours Co-ordinator, supervisor and other teaching staff in resolving topics.

32017 GUIDE TO HONOURS IN MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, HR2017 GUIDE TO HONOURS IN MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, HR MANAGEMENT AND SPORTS MANAGEMENT

‘Honours was a challenging, but extremely rewarding year. While the learning curve

was steep, the teaching staff and my honours supervisor helped me through this process. The support I received was fantastic, and definitely helped when submitting my thesis to a highly

ranked academic journal, Studies in Higher Education. It was such a rewarding experience

to actually add to a body of knowledge.’

LINCOLN JAMESCurrent PhD student

RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

Specialised software is made available to Honours students to assist with data collection and analysis (such as SPSS, Amos and NVivo) via Deakin’s computer labs. In addition, Deakin Anywhere includes useful software. Some funding may also be available for Honours students to assist in their data collection.

The Honours program is an intensive eight-month (full-time equivalent) course of study which requires a substantial time commitment. It is an expectation that students attend all classes and actively contribute to dynamic and vibrant class discussion as part of overall skills development. As a guide, in addition to the class component for the coursework units, students are expected to spend a further ten to twenty hours each week in library work, preparation of assignments and individually-directed study related to coursework. The research project (or research thesis) requires at least ten hours per week in Trimester 1 and about forty hours per week in Trimester 2.

These intensive demands are matched by individualised support from honours supervisors, coursework unit chairs, and the Honours Program Co-ordinator. Honours supervisors are mentors within the Deakin Business School whom students work with in managing and designing their research project. Ultimately it is the student’s research project but the supervisor is there to support and guide you through the process. Together, these staff members will help and support you through this stimulating, but demanding, year.

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ApplicationsApplications must be made directly to the University through the Applicant Portal: deakin.edu.au/apply

After you have applied online, please email the Admissions and Credit Transfer Group with details of your name, preferred discipline area and student ID if applicable. This will enable us to monitor your application.

ScholarshipsDeakin has scholarships available for Honours students. In addition, some external organisations also provide scholarships. Details of scholarships including eligibility requirements and the application procedure is available at deakin.edu.au/future-students/ scholarships/.

Please note the due date for scholarship applications as this is usually well before the end of the calendar year.

APPLY TO DEAKIN

Published by Deakin University August 2016. While the information published in this guide was accurate at the time of publication, Deakin University reserves the right to alter, amend or delete details of course offerings and other information published here. For the most up-to-date course information please view our website at deakin.edu.au.

Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B

deakin.edu.au/business

CONTACT USHONOURS PROGRAM COORDINATORDr Melissa Parris +61 3 9244 6276 melissa.parris@deakin.edu.au

ADMISSION QUERIES Admissions and Credit Transfer Group, Student ServicesDeakin Business School 221 Burwood Highway Victoria 3125 Australia +61 3 9251 7727 blact@deakin.edu.au