Research FAQ

Different disciplines and institutions may have requirements for entering a PhD program. A common prerequisite is prior training and experience in research. This is normally accrued via an honours degree or a Master of Research. Some Master of Counselling degrees have sufficient research training and may have a thesis component that meets entry requirements for some universities. If someone has studied a Bachelor or Master of Counselling with insufficient research preparation, they might consider enrolling in an Honours year or Master of Research program.

The terms HDR (Higher Degree by Research) and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) are often used interchangeably, but are not identical. A HDR encompasses various research-focussed degrees, including Masters by Research, Professional Doctorates, and PhDs.While all PhDs are HDRs, not all HDRs are PhDs.

A HDR program is interdisciplinary, meaning applicants from any discipline who satisfy the prerequisite, outlined above, are eligible to enrol in the HDR program at the university of the applicants choosing. 

An accredited 4th year honours degree (one of the many approved pathways into a HDR program) can either a) be an embedded 4th year of an established Bachelor degree (e.g., Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at Southern Cross University) or, b) an appended honours year that may accept applicants who have successfully completed a Bachelor degree in a cognate area (e.g., Honours degree in School of Social Sciences at UQ). Both are AQF8 level qualifications, and both involve some coursework in research design and technical training specific to the type of research  that is relevant to the discipline (e.g., social science research vs non-traditional research outputs [NTROs]), as well as undertaking a small independent research project under the supervision of a discipline staff member. The successful completion of an Honours year is an approved pathway to an HDR program in Australia.

Honours years are typically pathways only for graduates looking for pathways to an academic career (Lecturer and above). Honours years typically do not include discipline knowledge, skills, and their professional application.  Conversely, coursework Masters level programs are typically programs that deliver advanced knowledge, skills and their application within the discipline in which the Masters program is embedded, with its graduates looking to be senior practitioners in their field. Thus, the two programs are pathways with different end goals. 

In Australia, academic qualifications are ranked from Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) 1 (Certificate 1) through to AQF 10 (doctoral degree). At AQF10, Australia recognises two types of doctoral degrees: those by research (e.g., PhD) and Doctoral Degree (Professional). The PhD candidate is awarded their PhD after making a significant and original contribution to knowledge. The Professional Doctorate candidate is awarded their doctorate in [field of study] after making a significant and original contribution to knowledge in the context of professional practice.  

All universities offer PhD programs for interested applicants.  A quick google search indicates that the University of Notre Dame also offers a professional doctorate in counselling (Doctor of Counselling).

It is generally understood that an applicant for a PhD or Professional Doctorate must demonstrate that they have successfully completed a program that includes a piece of original research in its assessments.  In Australia, programs that include original research are generally Honours years, some Coursework Masters programs, and Masters by Research programs. If an applicant has completed a course of study outside of Australia which included original research, it would be the applicant's responsibility to have that qualification assessed for equivalency. If the qualification is assessed as at least equivalent to an Australian Honours year of study (level 2A or above), then that qualification could be considered as meeting eligibility criteria for an HDR program. However, the final decision would be up to the University in which the applicant is applying, as individual Universities have different entry requirements.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to become familiar with the HDR program entry requirements within the university they wish to enrol. 

The only other way to receive a PhD award in Australia, in lieu of traditional academic qualifications, are when persons have a strong association with the university and/or whose eminent achievement is not based on a particular discipline or field of study, but rather through service to the University or wider society through business or public service. In this instance, the person may be awarded an Honorary Doctorate. An example is Quentin Bryce in recognition of being the first female Governor-General of Australia. 

Suitable research supervisors can be found the following ways:

• Authors of peer reviewed journal articles published in your interest area

• Reviewing the staff profiles in your discipline within University websites

• Attending local research conferences within your area of interest

• The National Heads of Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators webpage

Part-time PhD: Many students choose to pursue their PhD part-time while working, which can help manage living expenses over a longer duration.

Scholarships and stipends: Some universities, colleges or external funders may offer scholarships or stipends for PhD students, which can provide financial support while conducting research. 

Employment as an academic: Individuals can seek academic positions at universities and colleges, which typically require a master's degree. This role allows them to work while pursuing their PhD, providing a salary to support their studies. Some institutions will allow up to one day a week from the workload to work on the PhD until completion.

Research centres: Joining a research centre that has funding for PhD students can also be a pathway. These positions may involve working on existing research projects while completing their PhD.

Workplace funding: Some workplaces may fund employees to pursue a PhD, especially if the research aligns with the organisation's goals.