Course

Master of Health (Research Studies)/PhD

Approved Abbreviation: MHlth(ResSt)/PhD

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Western Sydney University Course Code: 4681.1

AQF Level: 9

CRICOS Code: 071122B

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The Master of Health (Research Studies)/PhD program is designed for professionals working in a variety of settings including health care services, hospitals, the aged care sector and community organisations, enabling them to effectively assess and respond to emerging health planning and management issues. It allows students to undertake coursework study in areas of discipline specific interest as well as providing appropriate research skills training.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) component provides training and education with the objective of producing graduates with the capacity to conduct research independently at a high level of originality and quality. A PhD candidate should uncover new knowledge either by the discovery of new facts, the formulation of theories or the innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas.

Study Mode
Four and a half years full-time (one and a half years for the Master of Health (Research Studies) plus three years for the PhD).

Admission

This course is only available to International students. Please contact the Course Advisor for further information.

Course Structure

The Master of Health (Research Studies)/PhD degree will include a 120 credit point Master degree that has a research training component of one third (40 credit points) with a coursework component of discipline based content of two thirds (80 credit points).

The PhD component of the course will be completed according to the current Doctor of Philosophy policy.

The course will comprise the following

Core Units - 30 credit points

Research Training - 40 credit points

Alternate Health units - 40 credit points

One Elective unit - 10 credit points

Students must successfully complete the following

Core Units - 30 credit points

400967

Health Economics and Comparative Health Systems

400778

Leadership and the Development of Organisational Capacity

400416

Public Health, Policy and Society

Research Training Component - 40 credit points

300398

Methods of Researching

400850

Professional Topic

300742

Science and Health Research Project PG

Note: 300742 Science and Health Research Project is a 20 credit point unit

Alternate Health Units - 40 credit points from the following

400841

A Global Perspective on Social Determinants of Health

400840

Communicable Diseases

400417

Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods

400206

Evidence-based Nursing

400418

Health Advancement and Health Promotion

400837

Health and Socio-political Issues in Aged Care

400843

Health Workforce Planning

300391

Occupational Health Management

300682

Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

300677

Safety and Risk Management

400847

Surveillance and Disaster Planning

Note: Enrolment in units other than those listed above for the Master of Health (Research Studies) portion may be possible with Director of Academic Program permission.

And one elective unit - 10 credit points

In order for students to progress into the PhD research program, they must have an average grade of 75 percent or greater across all units and have obtained a unit grade of greater than 74 percent for 300742 Science and Health Research Project. The required research HRD documentation will be assessed by the Health and Science Research and Higher Degree Committee.

As part of this evaluation, successful candidature will be dependent on the availability of appropriate topics and available supervision. In order to facilitate this transition, students will be given ongoing academic advice regarding potential doctoral projects during the course of their Master’s study.