Course

Master of Health Science

Approved Abbreviation: MHlthSc

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Western Sydney University Course Code: 4651.3

AQF Level: 9

CRICOS Code: 064020M

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Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year in this course is 2011 or later.

Units may be revised or replaced to ensure students are provided with up to date curriculum throughout their studies, and this may result in a new course version. Refer to the Check My Course Progress page in MySR for the most up to date information for your course.

Commencement Year 2010 - 4651.2 Master of Health Science

Commencement Year 2009 - 4651.1 Master of Health Science

Areas of relevance to health employees in the public or private sector form the foundation subjects of this course: Health Policy; Leadership; Health Economics and Financial Management; Research Applications.

A choice of specialisations is offered: Health Services Management; Aged Care Management; Health Planning; International Health; Health Promotion; Occupational Health & Safety; Occupational & Environmental Hygiene; Research Studies.

A generic option, Health Science, is also available. (Students supplement the foundation subjects by choosing their remaining subjects from a pool).

Study Mode
One year full-time or two years part-time.

Accreditation
Graduates of the Master of Health Science with specialisations in Health Services Management, Aged Care Management and Health Planning will be eligible for professional accreditation with the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM).

Admission

Applicants must have either:

an undergraduate degree, or higher, in a health, welfare or aged care discipline

or

a graduate diploma or graduate certificate in a health, welfare or aged care discipline plus at least three years work experience in a health, welfare or aged care discipline.

Applicants seeking admission on the basis of work experience MUST support their application with a Statement of Service for all work experience listed on the application.

Statement of Service

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office.

International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

http://pubsites.uws.edu.au/international/

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Course Structure

Qualification for the Master of Health Science requires the successful completion of eight units within the specialisations listed below. Students have the option to graduate with a Graduate Diploma in Health Science after completing the required six units within their chosen specialisation.

Specialisations

ST4013

Health Services Management

From 2010 this specialisation is offered in on-campus and external mode. This specialisation is designed for managers who require skills in contemporary management and their application in the health care setting. Particular emphasis is placed on critical and analytic skills in policy analysis, economic evaluation and epidemiology, thus providing graduates with the ability to respond creatively to changes as they arise. Health managers need to be current with developments in the general business area so potential in the health care setting can be evaluated and appropriate initiatives implemented. Particular specialty units include Strategic Analysis and Decision Making, Health Workforce Planning, as well as Quality and Safety in Health Care.

ST4001

Aged Care Management

From 2010 this specialisation is offered in on-campus and external mode. Staff working in health and aged care organisations, charitable and private sectors, especially those in supervisory and management positions, will find this exposes them to contemporary issues in aged care, allowing them to up-skill management knowledge to position themselves in the forefront of innovation in the delivery and organisation of quality aged care. Specialty units include Health and Socio-Political Issues in Aged Care, Leadership for Quality & Safety in Health Care and Health Workforce Planning. Students have an opportunity to undertake Professional Topic or an elective. Judicious selection of an elective means students can study in a second specialty area (e.g., Health Planning or Health Services Management)

ST4002

Health Planning

From 2010 this specialisation is offered in on-campus and external mode. All managers undertake forward planning to proactively manage future services and identify workforce and facility requirements. This specialty keeps students up-to-date with current forward planning approaches and initiatives in health and other sectors that work with health. Students are exposed to the process of planning, how to set goals and objectives, monitor and evaluate performance outcomes. Current issues are explored in the specialty units Health Services and Facilities Planning, Workforce Planning and also Quality and Safety in Health Care. Second specialty options include Health Services Management and Aged Care Management.

ST4003

International Health

This specialisation broadens the public health approach of looking at all determinants of health, which include broader social and environmental factors in addition to physical risk factors to include international health studies. For this, students will study a wide range of evaluation processes and research methods such as policy analysis, economic evaluation, epidemiology and qualitative methods. The focus of practical skills is in Communicable Diseases, and students will integrate research, analytical and practical skills in the evaluation of contemporary public health issues. A double specialty is possible with the Health Promotion specialty.

ST4004

Health Promotion

In addition to the four core units, this specialisation includes Health Promotion Health Advancement and A Global Perspective on Social Determinants of Health. Students are taken through the process of health needs analysis, risk and protective factors, planning, writing grant applications and evaluating interventions, based on identified competency requirements.

ST4005

Occupational Health and Safety

Specialisation units include Occupational Health Management and Safety and Risk Management which focus on the practice of occupational health within national and international frameworks. It explores issues such as the physical, social and mental impact of the occupational environment on health. Strategies for the management of occupational health are examined, together with methods of monitoring and evaluating occupational health programs. Students have the opportunity to develop a safety systems approach concentrating on hazard identification, risk assessment and devising control measures incorporating safety management principles. The legal underpinning of OHS requirements at the workplace are also covered. A double specialty with the Occupational and Environmental Hygiene is possible. Students may select two electives to suit their career aspirations.

ST4010

Research Studies

This specialisation is designed for students wishing to proceed to a higher degree in research. It includes specialty units in research philosophy and methodology and a 20 credit point unit in advanced thesis preparation, in addition to the core unit of Methods of Researching. This helps students understand how to identify a research problem, critically evaluate the literature and prepare a research proposal. It allows students to become familiar with the requirements of thesis writing from an early stage and develop an appreciation for ethical issues in research in higher degrees.

SP3001

Health Science (standard program)

This option offer students the most flexibilty in completing their Master of Health Science. After the completion of 4 required units, students can choose their remaining units from the list of recommended electives.

This specialisation is available to students who commenced prior to 2013

ST4006

Occupational & Environmental Hygiene

The specialisation includes the units Occupational and Enviro Hygiene as well as Air Water and Noise Management. They show students the methods involved in measuring potential hazards, how to compare results with current standards before recommending methods of control. Hazards such as chemical and biological pollutants, ergonomics, noise, heat, cold and lighting in both the workplace and general indoor environment, and the various methods are considered. A range of skills required to assess the environment in relation to air, water and noise and underpinning legislative framework are explored.