Graduate Diploma in Applied Gerontology

The Graduate Diploma in Applied Gerontology is a 36-unit program offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

The course articulates with the Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology and the Master of Applied Gerontology. Students who complete the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma receive credit for topics should they proceed to the Graduate Diploma or Master of Applied Gerontology. Alternatively, students who enrol directly in the Graduate Diploma may choose subsequently only to meet the requirements for the Graduate Certificate and exit with that qualification.

The program is multi-disciplinary in nature and can be undertaken entirely off-campus via online delivery or on campus. Students who undertake this course entirely online, must have proficiency in basic computer and internet skills and access to modern IT equipment.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study
  
  

Admission requirements

Applicants who do not hold the Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification in a cognate field from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Course aims

The course aims to provide students with advanced study of the principles and skills involved in social and clinical gerontology. It further aims to meet the professional development needs of graduates with an interest in ageing studies and aged care, within a global context.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the course, students are expected to have:

• 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.

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Applied Gerontology, a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

Except with permission of the Dean (Education):

• the course must be completed within twelve consecutive semesters
• no topic may be attempted more than twice.

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 purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

With the permission of the Dean (Education), students may substitute up to 4.5 units from topics offered by the University or another approved institution.

Core - Year 1 topics

13.5 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)

Option - Year 1 topics

 AGES9026  Design and Ethics in Research with Vulnerable Populations  (4.5 units)
and 18 units of option topics (to meet entry requirements for the Master of Applied Gerontology)

OR

Select 22.5 units from the following 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)
 AGES9026  Design and Ethics in Research with Vulnerable Populations  (4.5 units)#
 HACM9200  Health and Aged Care Systems  (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)

#Students who wish to undertake AGES9026 must have completed 27 units of study or seek special permission from the Course Coordinator.