Regulations for the Degree of Master of Electronic Commerce (MECom)

1.	The Personal Programmes of Study Regulations apply in these regulations.
Admission
2.	Candidates for the Degree must have
	(a)	qualified for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Electronic Commerce of the University of Waikato or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or
	(b)	qualified for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Electronic Commerce with Honours or for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in a subject relevant for the Master of Electronic Commerce, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, and
		(i)	have completed a paper in research methods, and
		(ii)	have demonstrated their research and academic writing skills with the previous successful completion of a dissertation or significant research project at graduate level,
		and
	(c)	satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.
3.	In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit and relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the requirements of section 2 of these regulations may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.
Requirements for the Degree
4.	The normal minimum period of enrolment for completion of the Degree for candidates admitted under section 2(a) of these regulations is two years. The normal minimum period of enrolment for completion of the Degree for candidates admitted under section 2(b) of the regulations is one year.
5.	Candidates must enrol in the Waikato Management School and follow an approved programme of study.
6.	Candidates admitted under section 2(a) of these regulations must gain 240 points at 500 level. Candidates admitted under section 2(b) of these regulations must gain 120 points at 500 level.
7.	Candidates must complete the papers prescribed for the Degree in the Electronics Commerce entry in the Waikato Management School Student Handbook, including any compulsory papers.
8.	Candidates admitted under section 2(a) of these regulations must complete a paper in research methods, as listed in the Waikato Management School Student Handbook, and 30 points of research in the first 120 points taken for the Degree.
9.	Candidates must include
	(a)	a dissertation equivalent to 60 points, or
	(b)	a thesis equivalent to 90 points, or
	(c)	a thesis equivalent to 120 points
	in the last 120 points taken for the Degree.
10.	Candidates admitted under section 2(a) of these regulations may take up to 60 points from outside the field of the Degree. Candidates admitted under section 2(b) of these regulations may take up to 30 points from outside the field of the Degree.
11.	The field of the Degree comprises the papers prescribed for the Degree in the Electronic Commerce entry in the Waikato Management School Student Handbook.
12.	Candidates admitted under section 2(a) of these regulations must pass all of the papers taken for the first 120 points for the Degree with an average grade of at least B+ in order to be eligible to continue with the Degree.¹
13.	If a candidate fails a paper or papers (worth not more than 30 points in total), he or she may repeat the paper or papers or take an alternative paper or papers with the same total points value on one occasion only. A candidate who fails a paper or papers worth more than 30 points in total will not be permitted to proceed with the Degree.
Award of Honours
14.	The Degree may be awarded with
	(a)	First Class Honours, or
	(b)	Second Class Honours (first division), or
	(c)	Second Class Honours (second division),
	or without honours.
15.	Except with the approval of the Academic Board, the level of honours will be calculated on the basis of the grades for all of the papers presented for the Degree.
Variations
16.	The Dean or delegated authority may vary or waive these regulations in individual cases.
Note:
1.	Candidates who are ineligible to continue with the Degree may be eligible to graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma.