The Graduate Diploma in Health Studies is a 36-unit, one year full-time or equivalent part-time coursework program which is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. This award is offered only as an alternative study pathway for students currently enrolled in the Master of Audiology, Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Physiotherapy or Master of Speech Pathology.
Admission requirements
To be eligible to transfer to the Graduate Diploma in Health Studies students must be enrolled in one of the following degrees: Master of Audiology, Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Physiotherapy or Master of Speech Pathology. Topics completed satisfactorily in the course in which they are enrolled will be credited to the Graduate Diploma in Health Studies at the time of transfer to this program.
Course aims
This is a one year full-time or equivalent part-time postgraduate course which offers an alternative exit for students who commence the Master of Audiology, Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Physiotherapy or Master of Speech Pathology, but elect to not complete their degree. It ensures that such students are not disadvantaged and can complete a Graduate Diploma, which may lead to non-clinical careers in health. Students who complete this degree will not meet the professional accreditation requirements for the professions of Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Speech Pathology, and therefore will not be registered in Australia by the professional accreditation bodies of these professions (or in the case of speech pathology, will not be eligible for Ordinary Membership with Speech Pathology Australia).
Learning outcomes
At the completion of the course, students will have:
Knowledge
- The knowledge skills and attitudes to undertake employment in a range of roles in the health sector
- a comprehensive knowledge of issues relating to public health and the principles of primary health care and health across the life-span
- an understanding of the impact of social, political, economic, environmental and cultural factors on the health of individuals, families and communities
- the ability to access and interpret resources pertinent to the field of health studies
Skills
- independent learning skills to allow capacity for self-evaluation and management that focuses on health and health studies
- the ability to locate, evaluate, manage and effectively present information in a variety of forms
- the ability to effectively communicate issues in heath in a variety of contexts
Application of knowledge and skills
- the capacity to articulate the importance of approaches to the promotion of health
- the ability to recognise their own strengths, weaknesses and learning style
- the capacity to explain the scope and potential of health studies
- the ability to demonstrate informed and critical questioning and thinking.
Program of study
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Health Studies a student must complete 36 units with a grade of NGP or P or better in each topic, according to the program of study identified for the discipline in which they are enrolled. Topics completed satisfactorily within the degree in which they are enrolled will be credited to the Graduate Diploma in Health Studies.
The four courses offering this exit qualification differ with respect to the inclusion of elective topics in the Graduate Diploma in Health Studies and students should seek advice from the Course Coordinator for the program in which they are enrolled.
- The Master of Audiology does not offer electives. Students are required to pass a minimum of 36 units of study within the Master of Audiology.
- The Master of Speech Pathology offers a 4.5 elective unit (SPTH9221) which may be included towards the graduate diploma. However course pre-requisites and co-requisites apply in students’ eligibility to take the topic.
- The Master of Occupational Therapy offers students the opportunity to complete a minimum of 27 units of study from core topics within the relevant Master degree and a maximum of 9 units of study from elective topics from other relevant graduate awards in the university.
- The Master of Physiotherapy does not offer electives. Students are required to pass either 36 units within the Master of Physiotherapy or to complete a minimum of 27 units of study from core topics within the relevant Master degree and a maximum of 9 units of study from elective topics from other relevant graduate awards in the university.
