The Master of Applied Gerontology is a 54-unit program with 36 units of coursework and an 18-unit project. This course is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
The course articulates with the Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology and the Graduate Diploma in Applied Gerontology. The sequentially developed topics allow progression through the awards. Students who hold a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma receive credit for topics already taken.
Admission requirements
Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or an equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution or one of the following:
However, the Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.
Credit may be given, on application, for comparable prior studies.
Course aims
The course aims to provide a masters-level postgraduate degree that enhances knowledge and skills that are required for students to engage in evidence-based, ageing-related practice or research within a global context and at an international standard.
Learning outcomes
At the completion of this course, students will be able to:
- recognise the interdisciplinary nature of gerontology for understanding ageing and informing policy and practice that supports living well in later life;
- describe and discuss key concepts in gerontology (eg life course perspective, ageism, personhood, ageing in place, quality of life) and their implications for professional practice;
- differentiate between the different dimensions of ageing and discuss the significance to clinical practice, the social context of ageing and psychological wellbeing in later life;
- illustrate an understanding of cultural responsiveness as fundamental to approaching research, advocacy, support and care of older people;
- identify and critically analyse contemporary debates in the research literature in relation to ageing and aged care; from a local, national and global perspective;
- demonstrate the capacity to take an evidence-based approach to policy, practice and service development to support older people to maximise quality of life;
- apply academic rigour in researching and developing a project proposal;
- identify ethical concerns in relation to investigating issues in relation to ageing and older people;
- demonstrate capacity for reflective practice to facilitate personal and professional continuous learning and contributing to the learning environment of the workplace;
- design, implement and analyse an independent project to demonstrate a capacity for applying ethical considerations to appropriate methods of investigation of issues in relation to ageing and older people;
- demonstrate project management and academic research skills in effecting an independent inquiry in relation o issues specific to ageing or older people.
Program of study
To qualify for the Master of Applied Gerontology, a student must complete 54 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.
Except with permission of the Dean (Education) the program must be completed full-time within three consecutive semesters or part-time within ten consecutive semesters. A lesser period may be set for students granted credit for previous studies.
The award of a grade of Fail (F) in three or more topics, or the award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purpose of the University's Policy on Student Progress.
Core - Year 1 & 2 topics
36 units comprising
AGES8020 Introduction to Social Gerontology (4.5 units)
AGES8021 Introduction to Clinical Gerontology (4.5 units)
AGES8022 Psychological Dimensions of Ageing (4.5 units)
AGES9026 Design and Ethics in Research with Vulnerable Populations (4.5 units)#
PALL9417 Independent Inquiry for Evidence-based Practice (18 units)#
plus 18 units of option topics selected from the list below
Option - Year 1 & 2 topics *
AGES8023 Healthy Ageing (Mental Health) (4.5 units)
AGES8024 Medication and Ageing (4.5 units)
AGES8025 Best Practice in Dementia Care (4.5 units)
AGES8028 Leadership to Support Person-centred Dementia Care (4.5 units)
HACM9200 Health and Aged Care Systems (4.5 units)
PALL8432 Understanding Literature for Evidence-Based Practice (4.5 units)
PALL8436 Palliative Care in Aged Care Settings (4.5 units)
REMH8025 Recognising and Responding to Dementia in Indigenous Communities (4.5 units)
Or other topics deemed appropriate by the Course Coordinator
# or PALL9417A Independent Inquiry for Evidence-based Practice A (9 units) and PALL9417B Independent Inquiry for Evidence-based Practice B (9 units)
#Students who wish to undertake AGES9026 must have completed 27 units of study or seek special permission from the Course Coordinator.
* The research project requires an understanding and use of research methodology. If this has not been covered in previous study, the student should consult with the Course Coordinator to include either MMED8904 Health Sciences Research Methods (4.5 units) or NURS9218 Approaches to Research Design as an option.
Research topics offered by other disciplines may be selected if the Applied Gerontology Course Coordinator deems them appropriate.
