under the auspices of the Faculty of Education

B

L.N. 25 of 2012

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2012 in terms of the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the Degree of

International Master of Arts in Transcultural Counselling - M.A. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Education

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon him by articles 74 (5) and 75

(6) of the Education Act (Cap. 327), the Chancellor of the University of Malta has

promulgated the following bye-laws made by the Board of the Faculty of Education

in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by article 81(1) of the said Act and which

have been approved by the Senate of the University of Malta as required by section

81(2) of the said Act

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2012 in terms of

the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the degree of

International Master of Arts in Transcultural Counselling – M.A. – offered under the

auspices of the Faculty of Education.

(2) In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires -

“the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies as appointed by the Board

of the Faculty of Education after consultation with the Partner University;

“the Course” means the programme of study leading to the degree of

International Master of Arts in Transcultural Counselling – M.A.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts in Transcultural Counselling

– M.A.;

“the Partner University” means the University of Maryland, USA;

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008;

“the Senate” means the Senate of the University of Malta; and

“the University” means the University of Malta.

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(3) This Degree is an International Master’s degree of the University and

this shall be taken to mean that the Course is taught at the University in collaboration

with a Partner University within the framework of a double degree programme. The

Degree shall only be awarded if both universities declare the student to be eligible for

its award.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable for courses commencing in October

2011 or later.

Requirements for Admission

(1) The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of a first cycle

degree in the humanities obtained with a second class honours or better classification,

or an equivalent classification.

(2) All applicants shall be required to demonstrate that they have the

necessary aptitude and disposition to follow the Course with profit.

(3) (a) Professional aptitude and disposition shall be measured by means

of exercises involving (i) group discussion, and (ii) a personal interview.

(b) Applicants who obtain less than 60% for the professional aptitude

and the disposition criterion shall automatically not be admitted into the Course.

(4) Senate, on the advice of the Board of Studies, may limit the number

of students to be admitted to the Course. When the number is so limited and the

number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants shall

be selected during an interview, according to the following criteria, agreed to by both

universities and published at the time of the call for applications

(a) degree type and classification -­ 20%;

(b) experience in the area -­ 15%;

(c) professional aptitude and disposition – 55%; and

(d) references – 10%.

(5) The interviewing board shall be appointed by the Board and shall be

composed of at least three members.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over a period of three semesters of full-time study

and an additional six months for a supervised clinical component.

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Programme of Study

(1) The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a total

of 120 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 90 ECTS credits are assigned to taught

and clinical study-units and 30 ECTS credits to the dissertation study-unit.

(2) The programme of study shall be published after approval by Senate,

normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the Course.

Assessment and Progress

(1) The assessment of each taught study-unit shall be completed by the

end of the semester in which the teaching of the study-unit is held.

(2) Students who in any academic year fail in the assessment of not

more than five taught study-units shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed

assessments at the next scheduled examination session (May or September).

(3) Students who fail in more than the number of study-units permitted

under paragraph (2) of this bye-law, or students who after re-assessment fail to obtain

credit for any taught study-unit, shall be deemed to have failed the Course.

(4) Students must maintain a satisfactory level of performance in the

study-unit/s involving supervised clinical work which shall be assessed on a Pass/Fail

basis.

(5) Students who fail to obtain a Pass in the supervised clinical

component shall not have the right to a supplementary assessment and shall be

required to re-do the work during an additional year of studies. Such an additional

year shall not be counted for the purpose of Course duration.

Dissertation

(1) Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of

approximately 20,000 words, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board

of Studies.

(2) Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the third

semester of the Course. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide

guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of study.

(3) The title of the dissertation and a detailed research proposal shall

be approved by the Board of Studies not later than two months before the start of the

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third semester.

(1) Students shall be required to have regular contact with their

supervisor.

(2) Supervisors shall submit to the Board of Studies progress reports

for each student under their supervision. Such reports may include a recommendation

to either (a) extend the period of study in order to enable the student to complete the

dissertation; or (b) terminate studies prematurely if the supervisor deems this to be

proper in the circumstances, provided that

(i) the extension of the study period referred to in (a) shall be in accordance

with the provisions of Principal Regulations; and

(ii) the Board of Studies may not terminate studies prematurely according to

(b) until it has first given the student a chance to be heard.

(1) Each dissertation shall be examined by a Board of Examiners

composed of at least four examiners representing both partner institutions.

(2) Students may be required to take a viva voce examination to

defend their dissertation and this may also be conducted using electronic means of

communication if so approved by the Board of Studies.

(3) Students whose dissertation is found unsatisfactory may either fail

or may be required by the Board of Examiners to rewrite the document in whole or in

part and to re-submit it for examination. Students may re-submit the dissertation not

later than six months from notification of the decision of the Board of Examiners.

Classification of the Award

The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification

of the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in all the components of the

programme of study, all credits being weighted equally.

Testimonial of the Award

The testimonial given by the University shall include a statement to

indicate that the Partner University has separately awarded a degree for successful

completion of the same Course.

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