Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Childhood and Youth Studies

Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Childhood and Youth Studies

The Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA (Thesis))

The MA by thesis

The thesis option normally requires at least one year of full-time study and entails completion of a thesis. The thesis is a major piece of supervised research of up to 40,000 words on a topic of current interest.

The primary aim of the MA by thesis program is to develop in a candidate skills needed to identify a significant topic, design and implement an extended piece of research, and present the findings in a form acceptable to an expert readership.

Childhood and Youth Studies

This is a thesis-only program for students with a social science background (or a related discipline) who want to develop their skills by conducting a piece of research concerning issues relating to children, young people and their families. It is strongly recommended that prospective students contact the Director of the Children's Issues Centre by the end of November to determine whether they meet the criteria for enrolment.

Participants in the course will meet at four audio conferences during the year (dates and times are available from the Children's Issues Centre).

• a. The degree can be undertaken as a 240-point program of study comprising papers and a thesis for students with a bachelor’s degree or as a 120-point thesis-only program for students with appropriate postgraduate level study (see Section 1(c)).
• b. The degree may be awarded in any of the subjects listed in the MA(Thesis) Schedule. With the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) the degree may be awarded in a subject not listed in the MA(Thesis) Schedule.
• c. The student’s course of study shall be approved by the Dean, Head of School, program or Department. In the case of the 240-point program, the Dean, Head of School, program or Department will confirm that the combination of papers will provide adequate preparation for the thesis component.
• d. A candidate shall, before commencing the investigation to be described in the thesis, secure the approval of the Dean, Head of the School, or Head of program or Department concerned for the topic, the supervisory team, and the proposed course of the investigation.
• e. A candidate may not present a thesis which has previously been accepted for another degree.
• f. A candidate taking the degree by papers and thesis must pass both the papers and the thesis components.
• g. For a thesis, the research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.

Level of Award of the Degree

The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.

Application details

Applicants must apply online. They should also attach all the necessary supporting documents which includes scanned copies of their previous official academic transcripts (awards gained, marks, grades) with their application, and provide proof of their identity this is usually achieved by providing a certified copy of the personal details page of their passport or a birth certificate (in English). Applicants must also submit detailed research proposal that shows they are familiar with current literature surrounding their topic; an up-to date curriculum vitae; and name of the academic staff member with whom they have been in contact; and with an approximate start date. They may also be required to submit an Educational Credential Evaluators report (ECE). As soon as applicants have completed their online application, their proof of identity document must be posted to International Office, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. International student applications for semester 1/summer school study close: Oct-31; Semester 2 study close: Apr-30.