The Doctor of Philosophy involves a three year full-time (or part-time equivalent) research program which culminates in the submission of a thesis.  The course consists of the preparation of a research proposal, the conduct of research, the preparation of a thesis, and participation in seminars and conferences.

This course refers to the following fields of study in the Doctor of Philosophy degree:

• Communications
• Contemporary Arts
• Design
• English
• History
• Interactive Multimedia
• Politics and Government
• Writing

Master by Research or Bachelor with Honours (First or upper Second class) or equivalent in the relevant area of study, or where the applicant can demonstrate the capacity to undertake original PhD-level research.

Conditions for Continuation in Good Standing
Applicants for Doctor of Philosophy are accepted in the first instance on condition of a successful written submission and candidature is confirmed by oral defence of a detailed research proposal.  If the defence is successful, continuation in the Doctor of Philosophy program is granted.  Normally this occurs within 6 months after admission if full-time or 12 months after admission if part-time.

The Doctor of Philosophy program comprises a study program of two to three years full-time, or four to six years part-time involving research culminating in the submission of a thesis which makes a significant and original contribution to the area of study.  Candidates are expected to participate in seminars and workshops on topics of research and related study areas.  A panel of supervisors will oversee the development and progress of the student’s research.
 
A prime requirement is that a Doctor of Philosophy must make a substantial contribution to knowledge in a designated field of study.  It should show how theory is extended or tested to provide new knowledge.  The research methods can be either quantitative or qualitative.  The thesis should consist of 75,000-100,000 words.  An adapted version of the Doctor of Philosophy thesis should be of a standard that could be suitable for publication in a reputable journal.
 
Students in the doctoral program are required to make satisfactory progress in each semester for thesis preparation units.  Students who do not make satisfactory progress will not be eligible to remain in the course.
 
Enrolment in Thesis Units
Each semester, students enrol into research thesis unit CMM7200 at 50 or 100% of full time enrolment.

The thesis for a Writing student comprises a major creative project and a related theoretical/critical essay, or a set of essays.  The creative work (approximately 80% of marks) will take the form of either a novel, a book of poems, a full-length play script, a collection of short fiction, a biographical/historical work or other work of non-fiction.  This will be a substantial, original work which is publishable.
 
Included in the assessment of the thesis is an essay (approximately 20% of marks), or set of essays (25,000-30,000 words) which may involve one or more of the following in relation to the writing project:  relevant theoretical issues; its conceptual and/or cultural contexts; its aims and methods; its relation to other writers or writing within the genre; any other matter agreed upon with the Candidate's Supervisor and appropriately approved.
 
All theses, except in Writing, follow ECU Thesis Guidelines.

Students are required to continue re-enrolling in the thesis component of their study until the thesis is submitted for examination. Doctoral candidates will normally complete no less than two years and no more than four years of full-time equivalent study by the time their thesis is submitted for examination.