Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2010

Graduate certificates and postgraduate diploma courses

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Research Methodology
– Human Biosciences – Bundoora (HPHRMH)
– Human Communication Sciences – Bundoora (HPHRMC)
– Orthoptics – Bundoora (HPHRMT
– Physiotherapy – Bundoora (HPHRMP)
– Podiatry - Bundoora (HPHRMH)
– Prosthetics and Orthotics – Bundoora (HPHRMH)
– Public Health – Bundoora (HPHRM)
– Social Work – Albury-Wodonga (HPHMSW), Bendigo (HPHMSB), Bundoora (HPHMS)

Tel: Human Biosciences – Coordinator: Dr John Schuijers (03) 9479 1750

Human Communication Sciences (03) 9479 5815

Orthoptics (03) 9479 5815

Physiotherapy (03) 9479 5815

Podiatry (03) 9479 5815

Prosthetics and Orthotics (03) 9479 5815

Public Health – Coordinator: Professor Pranee Liamputtong (03) 9479 1750

Social Work and Social Policy (AW) – Dr Guinever Threlkeld (02) 6024 9810

Social Work and Social Policy (BE) – Dr Jennifer Lehmann (03) 5444 7851

Social Work and Social Policy (BU) – Professor Christine Bigby (03) 9479 1016

This course has been designed to replace master preliminary programs. It aims to provide the necessary preparation for higher degree studies for those candidates without substantial previous research experience, and to offer studies that are designed to suit the student’s background and proposed field of research. The course provides students with a recognised qualification upon satisfactory completion.

Students who complete this course should be able to demonstrate the acquisition of research skills and advanced discipline-specific knowledge. It is expected that diplomates will usually proceed to enrol in a higher degree by research, provided minimum average grade requirements are met. However, this qualification will assist candidates with professional advancement and progression to postgraduate coursework studies after full or partial completion of the program.

Admission requirements

A relevant degree is normally required for entry. In certain circumstances, consideration will be given to clinical or academic experience relevant to the intended field of study and whether the applicant has demonstrated the potential to undertake research. In these cases, consideration will be given to professional references, the applicant’s clinical and/or academic experience, publications and/or presentations, and the applicant’s entire academic record.

Course structure

Candidates enrol in the school offering the relevant discipline. The course comprises 120 credit points, including at least 15 credit points of research methods subjects, at least 15 credit points of discipline-specific subjects and a research project of at least 10,000 words.

Candidates with appropriate backgrounds may apply for credit for all or part of the research methods and discipline-specific subject requirements.

Subjects can be selected from the range of fourth-year subjects within the Faculty. One subject can be a literature review or reading subject related to the proposed research topic.

Human Biosciences (HPHRMH)

Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-ALLYR HBS4RES Research Project 60
TE-SEM-1 HBS4LIT Literature Review 30
TE-SEM-2 PHE4HDD Health Data for Decision Making 15
plus
discipline-specific subjects in consultation with the coordinator

Human Communication Sciences (HPHRMC)

Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 HCS4RCA Readings in Communication Disorders1 5
TE-SEM-1 HCS4RTA Research Thesis 30
TE-SEM-1 HCS4LEA Literature Evaluation A 15
TE-SEM-1 PHE4HDD Health Data for Decision Making 15
TE-SEM-2 HCS4LEB Literature Evaluation B 15
TE-SEM-2 HCS4RCB Readings in Communication Disorders1 10
TE-SEM-2 HCS4RTB Research Thesis 30

Key: 1 or an approved equivalent subject

Orthoptics (HPHRMT)

Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-ALLYR ORT4RTP Research Thesis/Project 60
TE-ALLYR ORT4SCP Specialist Clinic Practice 30
TE-SEM-1 PHE4RMH Research Methods in Health 15
TE-SEM-2 ORT4RIO Readings in Orthoptics 15

Physiotherapy (HPHRMP)

Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-ALLYR PTY4RPP Research Project 60
TE-SEM-1 PTY4RPA Readings in Physiotherapy A 20
TE-SEM-1 PTY4RPB Readings in Physiotherapy B 20
TE-SEM-2 PTY4RDP Graduate Research Design in Physiotherapy 20

Podiatry (HPHRMH)

Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-ALLYR HBS4RES Research Project 60
TE-SEM-1 HBS4LIT Literature Review 30
TE-SEM-2 PHE4HDD Health Data for Decision Making 15
plus
discipline-specific subjects in consultation with the coordinator

Prosthetics and Orthotics (HPHRMH)

Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-ALLYR HBS4RES Research Project 60
TE-SEM-1 HBS4LIT Literature Review 30
TE-SEM-2 PHE4HDD Health Data for Decision Making 15
plus
discipline-specific subjects in consultation with the coordinator

Public Health (HPHRM)

Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 PHE4THA Thesis Preparation 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE4THB Thesis 60
plus
TE-SEM-1 PHE4RMH Research Methods in Health 15
or
TE-SEM-1 PHE4HDD Health Data for Decision Making Skills 15
or
TE-SEM-2 PHE4HDE Health Data for Decision Making – Skills Enhancement 15
plus
TE-SEM-1/2 one discipline-specific subject 15
plus
TE-SEM-1/2 Elective 15

Examples of discipline-specific subjects

Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-SEM-2 PHE4HSR Health Service Resource Management 15
TE-SEM-1/2 PHE4IHP Introduction to Health Promotion1,2 15
TE-SEM-1/2 PHE4HOR Healthy Organisations1,2 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE4ODH 15
TE-SEM-1 PHE5HEF Health Economics and Finance3 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE5HPA Health Policy Analysis 15
TE-SEM-S PHE5HHR Australia’s International Health Relations3 15

Key: 1 Offered in partial block mode

2 Also offered in distance education mode

3. Offered in block mode

Social Work

Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 SWP4SPR1 Social Work and Social Policy Readings A 20
TE-SEM-1 SWP4STR1 Social Work Theory Readings: Theory and Practice 20
TE-SEM-1 SWP4THP1 Social Work Thesis Preparation 20
TE-SEM-2 SWP4THC1 Social Work Thesis C 60

Key: 1 or equivalent subject approved by the school.