Graduate certificates and postgraduate diploma courses

Graduate Diploma in Orthoptic Studies – Melbourne (Bundoora) (HGO)

Tel: (03) 9479 5815

Duration: 1 year full-time

This is a 120-credit point program equivalent to one year of full-time study (part-time available) providing specialist training for qualified orthoptists or persons with an allied qualification such as optometry. This program will provide qualified clinicians with an opportunity to develop specialist skills in areas of practice such as strabismus, low vision rehabilitation or refraction. The course will be delivered in flexible-mode coursework for those able to attend classes or by distance education to facilitate access to clinicians working in isolated areas who are unable to attend the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus.

Admission requirements

Applicants are required to hold a degree or diploma in orthoptics or optometry and at least three years of clinical experience. A degree or diploma in special education (visual impairment) is also acceptable for the vision rehabilitation subjects only.

Course structure

Students elect to do a sequence in paediatric and adult strabismus, clinical refraction or vision rehabilitation. The subjects required for each sequence are as follows:

Paediatric and Adult Strabismus Sequence


Teaching period	Subject code	Subject title	Credit Points
TE-SEM-1	ORT2BIN	Binocular Vision	15
TE-SEM-1	ORT3INC	Incomitant Strabismus	15
TE-SEM-1	ORT3NEU	Neuro-ophthalmic Disorders B	15
TE-SEM-1	Elective		15
TE-SEM-2	ORT2CON	Concomitant Strabismus	15
TE-SEM-2	ORT4CPB	Clinical Practice B in Orthoptic Studies	30
TE-SEM-2	ORT4SPO	Case Management – Strabismus and Paediatric Ophthalmology	15

Clinical Refraction Sequence


Teaching period	Subject code	Subject title	Credit Points
TE-SEM-1	ORT1OAP	Protective Structures and Clear Media	15
TE-SEM-1	ORT1OPV	Optics and Vision	15
TE-SEM-1	ORT4CPA	Clinical Practice A in Orthoptic Studies	30
TE-SEM-2	ORT1ANT	Anterior Segment	15
TE-SEM-2	ORT1REF	Refraction	15
TE-SEM-2	ORT4CPB	Clinical Practice B in Orthoptic Studies	30

Vision Rehabilitation Sequence


Teaching period	Subject code	Subject title	Credit Points
TE-SEM-1	ORT2RET	Retinal Disorders	15
TE-SEM-1	ORT4CPA	Clinical Practice A in Orthoptic Studies	30
TE-SEM-1	ORT4REH	Case Management – Rehabilitation	15
TE-SEM-2	ORT1RET	Retina	15
TE-SEM-2	ORT2NEU	Neuro-Ophthalmic Disorders A	15
TE-SEM-2	ORT4CPB	Clinical Practice B in Orthoptic Studies	30