Postgraduate: Course rule and topic information

Master of Applied Gerontology

(MAppGeront)

Program of Study

INTRODUCTION

The Master of Applied Gerontology is a 54-unit program comprising of 3 streams of study. Stream A comprises of 54 units of coursework, Stream B comprises of 36 units of coursework and an 18-unit project and Stream C comprises 18 units of coursework and a 36-unit thesis.

This course is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences on a Commonwealth Supported basis.

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.

COURSE AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

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 at an international standard.

This broad aim of the Master of Applied Gerontology will be achieved through the following:

• developing a clear appreciation of the concept of healthy and positive ageing, within a lifespan perspective,
• providing a 'ladder' of awards that have entrance and transition points that reflect the different educational needs of individuals working, or wishing to work, in gerontology or aged care;
• enabling student practitioners to select a series of topics built on core material, that will assist them to address particular needs within their practice and employment;
• exposing students to a range of academics and discipline backgrounds, to challenge them to be more creative and adaptable in their practice;
• bringing together students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to work together in appraisal, assessment and problem-solving required of a interdisciplinary/multi-professional team in this area;
• incorporating varying amounts of research and methodological training to reflect the underlying science-practitioner model of the course;
• requiring critical analysis of, and/or reflection on, their practice or research in the light of current evidence and of the experience of other students and faculty that may guide them in the future;
• utilising online learning and web-based research tools.

At the completion of this course, students will have:

• demonstrated understanding of the core course concepts of contemporary gerontology;
• further developed their knowledge and skills in applied Gerontology theory and practice;
• critically appraised theory, research and professional literature;
• critically reflected on, and applied theory and evidence to, their own practice;
• indicated a well developed capacity to undertake, reflect upon and evaluate core professional tasks, such as basic gerontological clinical and needs assessment, program management, ethical decision-making or research;
• disseminated their acquired knowledge by having, for example submitted for publication within the professional gerontological literature or over the Internet, spoken to professional groups, contributed to learned or policy debates, or implemented an evidence-based program in an applied gerontological setting.

COURSE RULE

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or an equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution and have not less than two years' work experience in palliative care or aged care or in a related field or hold a four-year degree or three-year degree plus honours.

Or one of the following

• Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology
• Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care in Aged Care
• Graduate Diploma in Applied Gerontology, or the
• Graduate Diploma in Palliative Care in Aged Care

Credit may be given, on application, for comparable prior studies.

PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2009]

The Master of Applied Gerontology provides 3 pathways:

• Stream A - coursework and practicum
• Stream B - coursework and research project, or
• Stream C - thesis

The research methods topic component of each stream increases incrementally: 6 units in Stream A; 12 units in Stream B; and 18 units in Stream C.

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.

STREAM A

All students must complete:

• 18 units of core topics
• 24-30 units of electives; and
• 6, 9 or 12 units of Practicum

CORE TOPICS

Students must study all of the following core topics:

AGES8001	Introduction to Social Gerontology	3
AGES8002	Principles of Clinical Gerontology	3
AGES8003	Psychological Dimensions of Ageing	3
AGES8004	Multidisciplinary Gerontological Assessment	3
AGES8005	Research and Evaluation in Ageing Studies	3
AGES8006	Demography and Epidemiology of Ageing	3

ELECTIVES

24-30 units of electives from the following, depending on size of Practicum:

AGES8010	Mental Health and the Older Person	3
AGES8013	Medication and Ageing	3
AGES8014	Managing Dementia-Related Behaviours	3
MMED8901	Clinical Research Methods	6
NURS9704	Politics, Problems and Pressures in Aged Care	3
PALL8407	Oncology for Palliative Care	6
PALL8409	Spiritual and Cultural Aspects of Palliative Care	6
PALL8410	Palliative Care in Aged Care Settings	3
PALL8411	Palliative Clinical Management A	3
PALL8412	Palliative Clinical Management B	3
PALL8413	Communication at the End of Life A	3
PALL8414	Communication at the End of Life B	3
PALL8415	Suffering, Futility and Ethics and Rehabilitation in Palliative Care	6
PALL8416	Palliative Care for Indigenous Populations	6
PALL8418	Understanding Cancer	3
PHCA8007	Research in Primary Health Care: Theory and Practice	6

or other elective topics from other departments, faculties or universities in related fields (PHCA8007 and MMED8901 are not both to be undertaken as they cover comparable content).

Practicum: 6, 9 or 12 units

PALL8405

Practicum

6

PALL8420

Extended Practicum

3/6

STREAM B

All students must complete:

24 units of core topics; plus
• 12 units of electives; and
• 18 units PALL8417 Research Project

CORE TOPICS

Students must study all of the following core topics:

AGES8001	Introduction to Social Gerontology	3
AGES8002	Principles of Clinical Gerontology	3
AGES8003	Psychological Dimensions of Ageing	3
AGES8004	Multidisciplinary Gerontological Assessment	3
AGES8005	Research and Evaluation in Ageing Studies	3
AGES8006	Demography and Epidemiology of Ageing	3

plus 6 units from the following topics:

MMED8901	Clinical Research Methods	6
PHCA8005	Designing Questionnaires and Surveys	6
PHCA8006	Qualititative Research	6
PHCA8007	Research in Primary Health Care: Theory and Practice	6

Or an appropriate research topic approved by course coordinator.

ELECTIVE TOPICS

12 units from the following topics:

AGES8010	Mental Health and the Older Person	3
AGES8013	Medication and Ageing	3
AGES8014	Managing Dementia-Related Behaviours	3
MMED8901	Clinical Research Methods	6
NURS9704	Politics, Problems and Pressures in Aged Care	3
PALL8407	Oncology for Palliative Care	6
PALL8409	Spiritual and Cultural Aspects of Palliative Care	6
PALL8410	Palliative Care in Aged Care Settings	3
PALL8411	Palliative Clinical Management A	3
PALL8412	Palliative Clinical Management B	3
PALL8413	Communication at the End of Life A	3
PALL8414	Communication at the End of Life B	3
PALL8415	Suffering, Futility and Ethics and Rehabilitation in Palliative Care	6
PALL8416	Palliative Care for Indigenous Populations	6
PALL8418	Understanding Cancer	3
PHCA8007	Research in Primary Health Care: Theory and Practice	6

or other elective topics from other departments, faculties or universities in related fields (PHCA8007 and MMED8901 are not both to be undertaken as they cover comparable content).

Research project

PALL8417

Research Project

18

STREAM C

All students must complete 18 units of research methods topics, then a 36-unit thesis PALL9000.

Research Methods Topics

18 units from the following topics:

AGES8005	Research and Evaluation in Ageing Studies	3
AGES8006	Demography and Epidemiology of Ageing	3
MMED8901	Clinical Research Methods	6
PHCA8005	Designing Questionnaires and Surveys	6
PHCA8006	Qualititative Research	6
PHCA8007	Research in Primary Health Care: Theory and Practice	6

or other appropriate research topic approved by course coordinator (PHCA8007 and MMED8901 are not both to be undertaken as they cover comparable content).

Thesis: 36 units

PALL9000

Thesis

36

Except with permission of the Faculty Board 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 12 units or more may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purpose of the University's Policy on Student Progress.