Graduate Certificate in Health Science

This program is available in three distinct specialisations:

• Alcohol and Other Drugs
• Stroke Management and
• Primary Health Care.

The Alcohol and Other Drugs specialisation aims to produce graduates with a broad knowledge base related to alcohol and other drug use, including epidemiology, clinical consequences of use and dependence, explanatory models, history and social context, pharmacology, the ability to critically appraise research literature and apply evidence-based findings in the workplace and an appreciation of preventative approaches. The Stroke Management specialisation and Primary Health Care specialisation will promote the development of health professionals with knowledge, skills and attitudes to function as an expert clinician within specialist inter-professional stroke services and Primary Health Care specialist teams. The specialisations will enhance patient outcomes through the application of evidence-based practice in the clinical setting and applied using the skills of relevant expert inter-professional teams. Both specialisations will enhance the capacity for the development of research initiatives in advanced stroke management and primary health care, and will contribute towards a reduction in morbidity and mortality by promoting champions with broad ranging knowledge and skills in service planning, development and evaluation.

It is envisaged that Drug & Alcohol Studies graduates will work in assessment and counselling of alcohol and other drug problems. Graduates who are employed in non-Alcohol and other drug settings will be able to competently assess and counsel alcohol and other drug problems. Stroke Management graduates will be working or planning to work in a relevant clinical environment working with people diagnosed with stroke.

Bachelor Degree in an approved health related discipline or have other qualifications approved by the Pro Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Health.

In special circumstances, an applicant holding other acceptable academic or professional qualifications and with relevant work experience may be admitted as a candidate at Graduate Certificate level.

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to new program go to http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/credit-transfer/ and click on How to apply for credit.

The programs are structured to provide opportunities for onshore International students. Applicants will be assessed on an individual basis. Strategies for program-specific online student support will be developed in consultation with participating students. Additionally, they will be encouraged to avail themselves of existing University support networks and services.

The University policy on Students with Special Needs is implemented at all times. The Faculty accepts responsibility, in liaison with the Student support Unit, for providing reasonable accommodations to allow students with disabilities to complete the program.

On completion of the Drug & Alcohol Studies program, graduates will have developed an extensive knowledge base related to alcohol and other drug use, including epidemiology, consequences of use and dependence, explanatory models, history and social context, and pharmacology.

The inter-professional focus of the Stroke Management program will ensure a movement towards educational models which encourage true interdisciplinary teaching and learning models and inter-professional collaboration in clinical practice.