The Master of Applied Gerontology is a 54-unit program with 36 units of coursework and an 18-unit project. This course is offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

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.

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:

However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

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

Course aims

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 within a global context and at an international standard. 

Learning outcomes

At the completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • critically reflect on and demonstrate mastery of the core theories and concepts in contemporary ageing studies; and their implications for professional practice
  • critically appraise theory, research evidence and professional gerontological literature and apply this to their own practice
  • apply within coursework a well-developed understanding of the ISSes and challenges of ageing in a global, societal and local context, including cultural and Indigenous perspectives
  • demonstrate a well developed capacity to undertake, reflect upon and evaluate core professional tasks, that encompass social, psychological and/or clinical aspects of ageing in practice and research contexts
  • develop and implement the skills for a deep and life long approach to learning in Applied Gerontology
  • develop and complete a piece of independent research which adds to existing body of knowledge
  • develop the skills to publish within the peer reviewed literature and communicate research evidence to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Program of study

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.

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 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 purpose of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

Core - Year 1 & 2 topics

 AGES8020  Introduction to Social Gerontology  (4.5 units)
 AGES8021  Introduction to Clinical Gerontology  (4.5 units)
 AGES8022  Psychological Dimensions of Ageing  (4.5 units)
 AGES9026  Design and Ethics in Research with Vulnerable Populations  (4.5 units)
 PALL9417  Independent Inquiry for Evidence-based Practice  (18 units)#
 PALL8432  Understanding Literature for Evidence-Based Practice  (4.5 units)

plus 13.5 units of option topics selected from the list below.

Option - Year 1 & 2 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)
 HACM9100  Leadership in Health and Aged Care  (4.5 units)
 HACM9101  Leading Organisations in Health and Aged Care (4.5 units)
 HACM9103  Financial Management in Aged Care  (4,5 units)
 HACM9200  Health and Aged Care Systems  (4.5 units)
 NURS9710  The 3Ds Dementia, Delirium, and Depression  (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)

Or other topics offered by other departments as deemed appropriate by the Course Coordinator

# or PALL9417A Independent Inquiry for Evidence-based Practice A (9 units) and PALL9417B Independent Inquiry for Evidence-based Practice B (9 units)
* The research project requires an understanding and use of research methodology. If this has not been covered in previous study, the student should consult with the Course Coordinator to include either MMED8904 Health Sciences Research Methods (4.5 units) or NURS9218 Approaches to Research Design as an option.

Research topics offered by other disciplines may be selected if the Applied Gerontology Course Coordinator deems them appropriate.