Course Curriculum

The Master of Arts (Coursework) requires students to complete a total of 160 credit points through a structured combination of core units, specialisation units, capstone or research options, and general electives. All units are worth 10 credit points unless specified. Students begin by completing 20 credit points of core study, which consists of Advocacy and Social Action and Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing. These units provide foundational perspectives on social justice, Indigenous worldviews and the intercultural competencies essential for advanced study in the arts and humanities. Students then progress to selecting one of three pathways: the Capstone Option (30 credit points), the Research Option (60 credit points) or the Creative Arts Research Option (70 credit points, available only to Creative Arts specialisation students). The capstone stream combines Independent Study with an applied intercultural practice unit, while the research streams provide intensive methodological training through Research Methods 1 and, where applicable, Research Methods 2, followed by sequential thesis or exegesis units supervised by an academic specialist. Admission to the research pathways requires a minimum GPA of 4.5 and confirmation of supervisory availability.Students must then select one specialisation, completing 40 credit points from one of the designated streams: Creative Arts, Social Science, Indigenous Knowledges and Engagement, Indigenous Languages and Contemporary Social Issues or Indigenous Research Practice. Each specialisation provides structured learning relevant to its field—for example, Creative Arts students may engage with subjects such as sculpture, curatorial practice, creative writing or music composition; while Indigenous Language specialisation students explore Yolngu languages, linguistic structure and language revitalisation. The Indigenous Research Practice stream includes core units in Indigenous research methodologies and a practical research project.To complete the degree, students also undertake between 30 and 70 credit points of general electives, depending on their chosen capstone or research pathway. These electives may be selected from any approved postgraduate units across CDU or through cross-institutional study with coordinator approval. Recent course changes have streamlined specialisation requirements, expanded elective flexibility and updated available units, providing a clearer and more adaptable structure for students beginning from 2026.