Postgraduate: Course rule and topic information

Master of Science (Palliative Care)

Program of Study

INTRODUCTION

The Master of Science (Palliative Care) is a 72-unit program involving coursework and a thesis which is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences on a fee-paying basis.

The course articulates with

and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the three awards.

COURSE AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides opportunities for candidates who are working in the area of palliative care:

to enhance their knowledge, skills and understanding of palliative care in ways which will enable them to better plan, manage and evaluate initiatives and programs in palliative care;
to reflect critically on practice in the area, and relate practice to recent relevant theories;
to conceptualise, plan, conduct and report on a substantial research project on a palliative care topic, and aspire to posts with opportunity for academic or research work.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of this course, students will have:

further developed their knowledge and skills in palliative care theory and practice;
critically reflected on their own practice;
applied theory to practice;
critically appraised theory, research and professional literature;
written a piece of independent intellectual work which adds to existing knowledge; and
published within the professional palliative care literature.

COURSE RULE

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The course is normally only available to students transferring from the Master of Palliative Care. However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

To be eligible to transfer, Master of Palliative Care students must have completed an appropriate 36 units of coursework towards that degree, for which credit will be granted, and have presented an acceptable draft thesis proposal and nomination of a potential principal supervisor holding full academic status within the University.

PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]

To qualify for the Master of Science (Palliative Care), a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study:

36 units of coursework towards the Master of Palliative Care (Stream B), including either PHCA8007 Research in Primary Health Care: Theory and Practice or MMED8901 Clinical Research Methods (which must be completed at a grade of Credit or better); and
a 36-unit Thesis (PALL9000).

Except with permission of the Faculty Board, the program must be completed within five consecutive semesters.