Executive Master of Arts

The Executive Master of Arts (EMA) is designed for graduates who are eager to shape leadership roles for themselves in the 21st century. It is a program which recognises the unique benefits of combining traditional Arts strengths in analysis, ethics and critical reasoning with a skill set appropriate for managing resources, planning projects and delivering results in a dynamic contemporary environment.

Students who complete the Executive Master of Arts should have:

• advanced critical thinking and analytical skills developed through in-depth study in specialist subject areas;
• broad perspective gained through exposure to a range of subject areas;
• professional skills with breadth and a social/community focus;
• an understanding of ethical behaviour;
• ability to read the ‘real world’ and to understand social trends;
• understanding of leadership and people leadership skills;
• exposure to leaders in the business, government and community sectors;
• relevant work experience;
• enhanced inter-cultural understanding;
• fundamental business skills; and
• demonstrated ability to work in teams on projects.

200 point program

Duration: 2 years full-time

• eight compulsory subjects (100 points)
• core subject/s (25 points)
• elective subjects (75 points)

150 point program

Duration: 1.5 years full-time

• seven compulsory subjects (87.5 points)
• core subject/s (25 points)
• elective subjects (37.5 points)

100 point program

Duration: 1 year full-time

• seven compulsory subjects (87.5 points)
• one core subject (12.5 points)

Capstone Requirement:

All students are required to complete the Capstone Requirement for the program (25 points). Students must complete one capstone option -

Capstone Stream 1: MGMT90129 Group Project (25 points)(Available for students completing the 200 and 150 point program)

Purpose: Provides students with the opportunity to conceptualise, plan and execute a substantial group project undertaken for an external organisation, responding to a real problem or challenge within that organisation, demonstrating advanced and innovative practical, analytical, team work and communication skills to understand, contribute to and engage with the organisation in question

Capstone Stream 2: MGMT90164 EMA Special Project (25 points)(Available for students completing the 200 and 150 point program)

Purpose: Provides students with the opportunity to conceptualise, plan and execute a substantial, independent, research-based project in the form of a report or minor thesis, demonstrating a specialist understanding of the topic being studied, high level skills in interdisciplinary and comparative research, analysis and critique, underpinned by a demonstrable capacity to communicate research effectively, creatively and persuasively in written form

Capstone Stream 3: MGMT90131 Internship II (25 points)(Available for students completing the 200 and 150 point program)

Purpose: Provides students with the opportunity to plan and execute a four-week (full-time equivalent) placement or internship based capstone experience in an external organisation, demonstrating an ability to work across a range of tasks relevant to the organisation’s objectives, and develop and complete a specific project with creativity, integrity and cultural sensitivity, acquiring significant insight into the complexities of applying knowledge and skills within a professional workplace

Capstone Stream 4: Internship 1 (MGMT90130) and Project Management (MGMT90128) (Available for students completing the 150 and 100 point program)

Purpose: Equips students with the capacity to plan, execute and manage professional projects in workplace contexts, provides a ‘real-world’ cohort experience designed to facilitate pathways towards careers and provide a group-learning experience that utilizes the key skills developed in all prior EMA subjects.

Capstone Stream 5: EMA Career Project (MGMT90209) and Project Management (MGMT90128) (Available for students completing the 150 and 100 point program)

Purpose: Equips students with the capacity to plan, execute and manage professional projects, provides a ‘real-world’ cohort experience designed to facilitate pathways towards careers, provides a group-learning experience that utilizes the key skills developed in all prior EMA subjects and provides the opportunity to plan and execute a career-focused and research-based project.

Capstone Stream 6: The Power of Ideas: Ten Great Books (ARTS90004) and Project Management (MGMT90128) (Available for students completing the 100, 150 and 200 point program)

Purpose: Equips students with the capacity to plan, execute and manage professional projects, provides a ‘real-world’ cohort experience designed to facilitate pathways towards careers, provides a group-learning experience that utilizes the key skills developed in all prior EMA subjects and provides a capstone experience designed to illuminate some of the key attributes of an education in arts.

For policies that govern this degree, see Academic Services Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Framework. Students also should also refer to information in the Student Policy Directory.

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• an undergraduate degree, or equivalent; and

• a personal statement outlining why they wish to be considered for the course.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and

• the personal statement.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 50 points of credit:

• a Bachelor of Arts degree, or equivalent.

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 100 points of credit:

• a Bachelor of Arts (honours) degree, or equivalent.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The EMA is designed for students who are seeking to acquire marketable professional skills; opportunities for further intellectual and personal growth and development; opportunities to network with their fellow students and community leaders; and how to apply their knowledge to the ‘real world’. The degree is a qualification designed for students seeking to enter professional employment.

Academically excellent

The EMA will be subject to a continuous cycle of review through constant refinements in teaching and learning principles and approaches. The compulsory completion of a core suite of professional module subjects ensures a valuable cohort experience as well as depth of study.

Knowledgeable across disciplines

The EMA offers students a core program designed around professional skills acquisition as well as a range of subjects from the humanities, social sciences and languages. All EMA students will complete seven skills subjects as well as subjects that offer cross-cultural perspectives on a number of historical and contemporary themes, and each of which has been designed collaboratively by teachers drawn from a number of different disciplines.

Leaders in communities

The EMA has been designed to train students aspiring to leadership roles in their future careers. It facilitates the development of excellent interpersonal and communication skills through subject content and assessment practices, and through the commitment of the degree to small-group interactive teaching and learning environments. The provision of research and knowledge transfer opportunities enables the development of public discourse skills and an extensive awareness of community issues and global needs.

Attuned to cultural diversity

The EMA offers students the opportunity to explore aspects of cultural diversity and indigeneity. Many of the degree’s discipline-based subjects are concerned specifically and analytically with cultural diversity, from language, Asian studies and historical studies, through comparative social science studies, to the explicit study of culture itself. EMA students will be exposed specifically to cross-cultural issues through both the core and elective subjects. All EMA students will be given the opportunity to undertake an internship or group work that will provide them with experiences outside their own immediate cultures.

Active global citizens

EMA graduates will be equipped to be active global citizens by virtue of their leadership skills, academic excellence, their inter-disciplinary and cross-cultural knowledge, and their community and cultural awareness.

The Executive Master of Arts offers advanced training for students aspiring to leadership roles in their future professional careers. EMA graduates should have acquired skills in the areas of:

• leadership and professional communication;
• ethical practice;
• financial management;
• critical analysis and creative thinking;
• project management; and
• team work and professional networking.