Master of 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 Masters level.

Students articulating from the Graduate Certificate in Health Science to the Master of Health Science will be awarded 40 units of internal credit.

Commencing students may be awarded a maximum of 50% of external credit for postgraduate study undertaken at another approved institution.

Credit may be available for courses previously completed in a program of study but will be assessed on a case by case basis and must adhere to Rules Governing Postgraduate Coursework Awards - Rule 000306.

Credit may be available for previous studies on the basis of an individual assessment for each applicant. Credit will be awarded in accordance with University Policy and Faculty Guidelines.

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/.

Students undertaking the Drug and Alcohol Studies stream are required to do 100 hours of pratical experience in MEDI6145 and MED6160 (50 hours in each course).

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.