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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

199202 v.2 Doctor of Creative Arts (Art)

DCA(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 032997G
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 4 Years


Course Overview

Doctoral degrees prepares students to acquire a systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills to advance learning and/or professional practice corresponding to AQF level 10 qualifications.


The Doctor of Creative Arts is a research degree with a focus on creative practice as a mode of research and is of equivalent status to a PhD. Twenty-five per cent of the program involves coursework to assist candidates in contextualising their research question and devising appropriate research methodologies by providing study in relevant history, methodology, theory and criticism. The other 75 per cent of the candidate's time is spent in preparation of the thesis. Within the DCA a thesis is understood as having two components: a creative body of work, and a written exegesis, which together form complementary responses to a clearly defined research question. Both components are submitted for examination - the exegesis is submitted in printed and bound form and the creative component may be submitted in printed and bound form, in electronic format, as a film, exhibition, installation, or in another medium. On completion of the DCA the candidate must ensure there is an enduring record of the creative body of work. Art-based research programs are available in all the fields of contemporary practice, including audio-visual arts, digital and electronic arts, fibre-textiles, jewellery and three-dimensional design, print media, painting and sculpture. Prospective DCA students include MA (research) or MCA graduates, secondary-level and university educators in the arts and professionals working in related fields.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Departments will not bear the expense of projects involving unusual cost; for example, a student wishing to make a film would have to provide the film stock and fund the post-production costs or a student mounting an exhibition would have to pay for framing and/or installation expenses. Thesis preparation and binding and other costs are normally covered by doctoral students. A full list of fees is available upon request or at enrolment.


Course Overview Note

The Faculty of Humanities provides facilities and benefits for those studying this research course, including access to suitable computer facilities, office space for on-campus students and financial assistance to attend appropriate intrastate, interstate or overseas conferences and towards associated research costs.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards. Applicants require a master degree (research) or bachelor honours degree (first or second class) or a high standard in either a master degree (coursework) or bachelor degree with a graduate diploma (or equivalent). Alternative entry requirements may be considered, details are provided at http://research.curtin.edu.au/guides.


Specifically, applicants require a Bachelor of Arts (Honours, normally first or upper second-class) or equivalent, or a master degree in a relevant area.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Doctoral degrees require students to undertake a program of independent supervised study and produce significant and original research outcomes culminating in a thesis, dissertation, exegesis or equivalent for independent examination.


It is a requirement of this course that at least two-thirds of it is undertaken by research and the remainder by coursework. The thesis follows Rule 10: Degree of Doctor by Research. The coursework component should be determined in consultation with the Postgraduate Coordinator of the Faculty of Built Environment, Art and Design. Students without prior studies in research methods will be required to undertake relevant preparatory units. This may increase the course duration.



Duration and Availability

This course is a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years of equivalent full-time study. As most units are offered only once in each year and in the required sequence of study, there is some limitation of choice for students studying part-time.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Research Term 1   Y   Y  
2014 Bentley Campus Research Term 2   Y   Y  

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
13522 v.2   DCA 701 - Art Professional Praxis I 3.0 50.0
13523 v.2   DCA 702 - Art Professional Praxis II 3.0 50.0
99124 v.2   Doctoral Thesis - Art
13524 v.2   DCA 703 - Art Research Issues and Methods 3.0 50.0
  150.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Humanities on telephone (08) 9266 3400, email humanities@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://humanities.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.