Following a comprehensive 2024 review of professional development (PD), within the Monash Doctoral Program (MDP), we're shifting from a mandated PD structure to a flexible, student-choice model. This change responds to feedback from students, supervisors and staff who want greater flexibility in how PD is approached. As part of this shift, we're also simplifying our terminology to align with how students and supervisors naturally refer to their programs. You'll now see us use 'Monash PhD' and 'Monash Master by Research (MPhil)' rather than 'MDP'.
The decisions about PD and coursework have been made within Faculties and sub-Faculties. Where student courses are not changing, they will not be affected by the following processes. You can confirm if your students are affected with your Graduate Research Coordinator or Director.
From late October 2025 all affected students will be given the choice to either remain in their current program (with mandatory PD requirements or coursework units) or transition to a new course version where PD is voluntary or where coursework requirements have been changed (either reduced or removed).
About the change
WHAT IS CHANGING
WHAT STAYS THE SAME
Mandatory 120-hour PD requirement is being removed
All doctoral courses remain 100% research
Removal of the requirement for faculties to have a mandatory minimum two coursework unit requirement
All other PhD aspects remain unchanged: scholarships, supervision, academic progression milestones and thesis requirements
Enrolled students will have choice in their PD opportunities
University compliance modules remain unchanged (Research Integrity, Respectful Research, etc.)
For students who opt-in to a new course version with reduced requirements, their milestone assessment criteria for the completion of PD hours or unit completions will no longer be required
Thesis milestones and academic progression is unchanged
The MDP title will phase out and be replaced with either ‘Monash PhD’ or ‘MPhil’ as the way we refer to graduate research degrees
Supervisory relationship and guidance remains central
Timeline of the change
27-29 October: Students emailed about change (staggered)
30 Oct + 4 & 6 November: Student info sessions
21 November: Last day for affected students to respond with their preferences
Which students are affected?
Not all students will be affected by the change. Here’s a guide to whether a student can opt to transition to a new course version, or will be remaining in an unchanged course. You can confirm the decision relating to your students with your Graduate Research Coordinator or Director.
As well as students whose courses are unchanged, some other student groups will be unaffected - these are outlined below.
NO CHANGE
OPTION TO TRANSITION
PD/GRIP MODE
Deemed to have completed all PD hours
Has not yet completed minimum PD hours
COURSEWORK MODE
Completed all coursework unit requirements
Is enrolled in a program where the faculty has decided to reduce or remove the requirement for coursework units; and
The student has not yet completed all coursework unit requirements
NOTE: students currently enrolled in a unit will not be offered a transition until the unit outcome is available in Callista in December 2025
CALL TO ACTION
Sent an email on 27 October to tell them they are not affected and no action is required.
Sent an email on the 29 October with information of their options and to respond via an online form with their preference by 21 November.
How will the transition process work?
From late October, all current students will be notified via individual email by the Monash Graduate Research Office whether they are affected by the change and therefore have the option to transition, or are not affected and do not need to do anything.
Notifications will be staggered. Please encourage your students to check their emails and if required, to respond by the deadline: Friday 21st November.
If your student has not received an email by 31st October, please get them to reach out to mdp-transition@monash.edu
Commencing students & leave of absence
Students who have received an offer letter but have not yet enrolled will be notified of the change once they enrol. As we are in a transition period, the MGRO team will be monitoring enrolments and ensuring new students are communicated the change, and if required given the option to change pathway. From 1st January 2026, all newly enrolled students will simply be enrolled into the new course version.
Students currently on leave of absence will be notified of the change upon their return.
Missed our supervisor information sessions?
You can access a recording of one of the information sessions here.
Q: What does choosing the new flexible model actually mean?
Choosing the new flexible model means students move into a course version that no longer requires 120 hours of PD or mandatory coursework. It removes compliance-based tracking while maintaining all other program requirements. Students still progress through the same milestones and thesis submission process. You can continue to guide students towards PD that's genuinely relevant to their research and career goals.
Q: Will the removal of PD hours mandates affect the quality of the PhD program?
The PhD remains a robust research degree with rigorous examination processes and high standards. PD represented less than 1% of a PhD - the quality comes from research design, critical thinking, original contribution, and quality supervision. This change removes a one-size-fits-all requirement and allows students to tailor their development more strategically. We're removing mandates, not opportunities. Students who want structured PD can still access it through the Research Training Competency Framework.
Q: Does this mean the Monash Doctoral Program no longer exists?
The Monash Doctoral Program (MDP) was introduced as an umbrella term for our doctoral offerings. As we move to a more flexible model for PD and minimum coursework unit requirements, we're simplifying our terminology to align with how students and supervisors naturally refer to their programs. You'll now see us use 'Monash PhD' and 'Monash Master by Research (MPhil)' rather than 'MDP'. This is a name change that reflects our shift in approach. All the core elements of doctoral training, supervision, milestones and thesis examination remain unchanged.
Q: What guidance should I give to students who are undecided?
Encourage affected students to reflect on their current progress, especially how much PD or coursework they've already completed, and what structure works best for them. Help them consider their career goals, timeline to completion, and reinforce this as an opportunity to review and define their development needs. Direct them to the MDP Update webpage.
Q: Without mandatory PD or coursework, how do I support my students in building essential skills?
Continue PD conversations as part of holistic supervision. Use the Research Training Competency Framework to help students identify skill gaps and explore relevant opportunities available through MyDevelopment or faculty offerings. Frame PD as career investment rather than compliance. Recognise that informal learning - collaborations, presentations, teaching - also develops valuable professional skills. You're shifting from enforcing requirements to mentoring development choices.
Q: I think my student needs PD. How do I encourage this if it's not mandatory?
Focus on relevance and value rather than obligation. Connect specific opportunities to their research challenges or career goals. Share how particular skills have benefited your own career. Highlight opportunities that align with their interests. Discuss how certain skills will strengthen their thesis or employability. If PD is genuinely valuable, students will engage when they understand the benefits.
Q: My student completed their requirements but wants to do more PD, can they?
Absolutely. All PD opportunities remain available to all students regardless of which pathway they chose. The Research Training Competency Framework guides available offerings including workshops, masterclasses, internships, and immersive experiences. Students can continue accessing development opportunities throughout their candidature - the only change is that it's now voluntary rather than mandatory if they opted-in to the change.
Q: My student has a milestone coming up where I usually assess their PD/coursework progress. What should I do?
For milestones before 1 January 2026, continue assessing PD and coursework as per current requirements. All existing program requirements remain in place until the effective date. For milestones from 1 January 2026 onwards, if they selected the flexible model, PD is no longer part of milestone assessment - the milestone panel will focus on research progress and thesis development. If they remained in the current program, continue assessing PD requirements as before.
Q: I have a student who is choosing to remain. How will their PD hours be tracked and confirmed?
Students remaining in the current program can continue recording PD hours through MyDevelopment and utilise their MDP Training Report. The tracking systems and processes remain in place for students who choose to stay in their current course version. They will continue to have PD requirements assessed at milestones as originally planned.
Q: What if my student chose to remain or forgot to respond but is struggling to complete their PD hours?
Students who chose to remain are committed to completing those requirements. However, if they're genuinely struggling, contact your Faculty Graduate Research Office to discuss support options. A change of mind by opting-in to the course variations beyond 21st November 2025 may still be possible.
Q: What happens to students who are partway through a coursework unit?
Students currently enrolled in coursework units should complete them as planned. Discontinuing an enrolled unit will result in a ‘fail’ or "did not complete" grade on their transcript, which cannot be reversed. Students in their final unit will be contacted in December once results are available with information about any relevant options for their specific situation.
Q: Will this change affect international students' visa requirements or sponsored students' conditions?
No. This change to PD requirements does not affect visa conditions for international students or obligations for sponsored students. Students remain enrolled in their PhD program with the same progression requirements. The change only relates to internal program requirements, not external compliance obligations.
Q: I'm concerned this lowers the standards of a Monash PhD. How should I respond to colleagues or students raising this?
PhD quality comes from robust research, rigorous examination, critical thinking, and quality supervision - not compliance with PD hours. This approach aligns with how most leading research universities globally handle PhD PD. We're empowering students to take ownership of their development rather than forcing one-size-fits-all requirements.
Q: What if students or colleagues ask me questions I can't answer?
It's perfectly fine to say "I don't have all the details - let me connect you with the right resource." Direct questions to:
MDP Update website for comprehensive information on the MDP transition
Notifications will be staggered. Please encourage your students to check their emails and if required, to respond by the deadline: Friday 21st November.