Back to Find Courses page

Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies

Doctorate by Coursework and TB Thesis

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    All students must attend the compulsory on-campus, one week-long workshop for each unit (two weeks for double-weighted units).

  • Placements

    NA

  • Course abbreviation

    DIndigPh

  • Course code

    1447189

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Fee paying

Overview

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.

Public and private sector organisations are encouraged to sponsor their staff to undertake the Doctorate, with the aim of conducting essential ethical and engaged research deemed critical to the health and human services sector and for policy development.

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

apply critical analysis to Indigenous social and cultural situations and problems.

Creativity

develop innovative and creative responses to contemporary Indigenous and historical social and cultural issues.

Ethical practice

investigate and evaluate issues with references to principles of social justice and equity in relation to Indigenous people.

Knowledge of a discipline

demonstrate higher order thinking in a major area of study.

Lifelong learning

demonstrate a developed capacity to be reflective in practice and self-managed in ongoing professional development.

Communication and social skills

access and interpret and evaluate sources of information relevant to Indigenous research paradigms.

Cultural competence

demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to interact in a culturally competent way with Indigenous communities and other diverse populations.

The focus of the candidate’s research will be negotiated and agreed to by the candidate, their supervisor, and the Director 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 3 sessions.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A
Online Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

  1. To be eligible for the award of a professional Doctorate, a candidate shall successfully complete twenty-four (24) units (288 credit points) of study and research. At least two-thirds of these units shall require completion of a thesis. 
  2. These units shall be comprised of those in the schedule of units attached to these rules. 
  3. A professional Doctorate shall be in a field approved by the Higher Degrees Research Committee and listed in the Schedule of Professional Doctorates attached to these rules.
  4. All Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies candidates will serve a confirmation period, no longer than six (6) months full-time equivalent.
  5. The process of assessment of the confirmation period will be developed within a general framework approved by the Higher Degrees Research Committee, to be used in the respective School
  6. The assessment of the completion of the confirmation period shall result in one of five outcomes:
    1. Satisfactory: Candidate to be offered full candidature (i.e. confirmation of candidature).
    2. Unsatisfactory: Candidate to revise submission to the satisfaction of the Principal Supervisor and the relevant Director of Research and Research Training.
    3. Unsatisfactory: Candidate to resubmit to confirmation period assessment process.
    4. Remedial action: Where a resubmission results in a further unsatisfactory outcome, a course of remedial action shall be put in place. This may require a review of the Supervisor-Candidate Agreement.
    5. Termination of candidature.

Entry requirements

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

Language requirements

  1. To be eligible for the award of a professional Doctorate, a candidate shall successfully complete twenty-four (24) units (288 credit points) of study and research. At least two-thirds of these units shall require completion of a thesis. 
  2. These units shall be comprised of those in the schedule of units attached to these rules. 
  3. A professional Doctorate shall be in a field approved by the Higher Degrees Research Committee and listed in the Schedule of Professional Doctorates attached to these rules.
  4. All Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies candidates will serve a confirmation period, no longer than six (6) months full-time equivalent.
  5. The process of assessment of the confirmation period will be developed within a general framework approved by the Higher Degrees Research Committee, to be used in the respective School
  6. The assessment of the completion of the confirmation period shall result in one of five outcomes:
    1. Satisfactory: Candidate to be offered full candidature (i.e. confirmation of candidature).
    2. Unsatisfactory: Candidate to revise submission to the satisfaction of the Principal Supervisor and the relevant Director of Research and Research Training.
    3. Unsatisfactory: Candidate to resubmit to confirmation period assessment process.
    4. Remedial action: Where a resubmission results in a further unsatisfactory outcome, a course of remedial action shall be put in place. This may require a review of the Supervisor-Candidate Agreement.
    5. Termination of candidature.

Course structure

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.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes

Year 1, Session 1

CMM03189 -  Indigenous Research Theory and Practice Advanced Note 1, Note 3
Advanced Academic Skills for Postgraduates

Year 1, Session 2

HUM10315 -  Knowing with Community Advanced Note 5
HUM10310 -  Learning from Country Advanced Note 1, Note 4

Year 1, Session 3

SOC03402 -  Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies Research Proposal Advanced Note 1, Note 3

Year 2, Session 1

SOC89022 -  Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies Thesis Advanced Note 2

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes

Year 1, Session 1

CMM03189 -  Indigenous Research Theory and Practice Advanced Note 1, Note 3

Year 1, Session 2

HUM10315 -  Knowing with Community Advanced Note 5

Year 2, Session 1

COM93001 -  Advanced Academic Skills for Postgraduates Advanced

Year 2, Session 2

HUM10310 -  Learning from Country Advanced Note 1, Note 4

Year 2, Session 3

SOC03402 -  Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies Research Proposal Advanced Note 1, Note 3

Year 3, Session 1

SOC89022 -  Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies Thesis Advanced Note 2

Note 1:

Double-weighted unit

Note 2:

16-unit equivalent

Note 3:

Compulsory 4 Day Residential School

Note 4:

Compulsory 10 day Residential school

Note 5:

Compulsory 5 day Residential school

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
COM93001 Advanced Academic Skills for Postgraduates Advanced
CMM03189 Indigenous Research Theory and Practice Advanced Note 1
SOC03402 Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies Research Proposal Advanced Note 1
SOC89022 Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies Thesis Advanced Note 2
HUM10310 Learning from Country Advanced Note 1, Note 4
HUM10315 Knowing with Community Advanced Note 3