Health Sciences

Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors and School of Occupational Therapy

Postgraduate Coursework Programs in Occupational Health, Safety and Ergonomics - Distance Mode

La Trobe University is now offering a program of distance-mode postgraduate coursework in Occupational Health, Safety and Ergonomics.

Courses offered are:

Master of Ergonomics, Safety & Health

Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health, Safety & Ergonomics

Description of Courses
These postgraduate coursework programs are designed for people who wish to obtain a professional qualification in occupational health and safety (OHS) via distance education.

They are presented for part-time study up to maximum 0.5 of a full-time load, which is two subjects for each of two semesters per year (that is, four subjects per year). Students may choose to enrol in fewer subjects than this.

There are no compulsory attendance requirements, to help busy professionals to combine study with work and other commitments. Course curriculum and assignments are designed to be adaptable to the needs and interests of a diverse range of students - both Australian and international. Optional opportunities to attend on campus days exist, these usually occur in February and July.

The Masters program requires satisfactory completion of 180 credit points of study. The Graduate Certificate (60 credit points) constitutes the common first year (0.5 of full-time) of the M.ESH.

Students who successfully complete this first year and do not proceed to the Masters courses will be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health, Safety and Ergonomics. Students who elect to exit after satisfactory completion of the first 2 years (120 credit points) of the program will be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Ergonomics, Safety and Health – this is only offered as an exit point, that is you must initially enrol in the M.ESH program.

Admission Requirements
The normal entry requirement is a cognate Bachelor degree (e.g. in biological or behavioural sciences, a health or allied health profession, industrial engineering, etc.) but there are 'special entry' provisions for other applicants also.

Initial enrolment in the M.ESH requires:

• a. relevant 4-year Bachelor degree; or
• b. relevant 3-year Bachelor degree with honours; or
• c. a 3-year Bachelor degree plus additional evidence of suitability (e.g. other relevant coursescompleted, quality of academic record, employment history).

Applicants who satisfy the above pre-requisites for initial enrolment in a Masters degree but would prefer to enrol in the Graduate Certificate are welcome to do so. However, students who do not enrol initially in one of the Masters programs must achieve at least a B-grade (70%+) average in first year subjects if they then wish to extend their studies to Masters level.

International applicants must meet English Language Requirment IELTS 6.5.

Special Entry
Applicants who do not satisfy the above pre-requisites for initial enrolment in a Masters degree may be permitted to enrol in the Graduate Certificate under 'special entry' provisions if they:

• a. have successfully completed relevant studies to at least Certificate IV level, and
• b. have at least three years of relevant employment experience, and
• c. can demonstrate an adequate standard of general academic skills.

Fees
In 2012, tuition fees for the above courses are expected to be $7,695 per part-time year (four subjects). That is: the cost is expected to be $1,924 per 15 credit point subject; $23,085 for the M.ESH (three years, part-time – twelve subjects equivalent).

For further information, please visit: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/fees/course

Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to a large set of frequently asked questions are provided in the FAQ (DOC 77KB).

Applications

Application closing dates are:

• for Semester 1 entry (late February) – apply by end of October
• for Semester 2 entry (late July) – apply by mid June.

Late applications will be considered, but note that if you are applying for a Commonwealth Funded Place (see below), your application should be submitted by the end of October.

Commonwealth Funded Places (CSPs)
Applicants for Semester 1 entry to either of the Masters courses (not the Graduate Certificate) may apply for a CSP, dependent on the availability of such places. Applications for a CSP must be received by the due date (end of October)

How to Apply

To apply for a place, you must submit two forms:

1. Postgraduate Application form (PDF 91KB)

When you have completed the above two forms, please send them to:

Postgraduate Office
Faculty of Health Sciences
La Trobe University
Bundoora, Vic 3086

Further details
Before contacting someone to ask questions, please read the all of the information available via the above links and the FAQs document.

If you still need assistance then please contact one of the following people.

For more information about enrolment or other administrative matters:
Janet Flentjar
Email: j.flentjar@latrobe.edu.au;     Phone: +61 (0)3 9479 3973

For more information about content of the programs:
Jodi Oakman
Email: j.oakman@latrobe.edu.au;       Phone: +61 (0)3 9479 3235