Masters degrees by coursework
Master of Nursing Science – Bendigo (RMNSC), Distance Education (HMNSCD), Melbourne (Bundoora) (HMNSC)
This course is available to continuing students only who commenced prior to 2009.
Admission requirements
The admission requirements are either satisfactory completion of a Postgraduate Diploma of Nursing Science or a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Studies, normally with an average grade of B or above; or a Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) or a Bachelor of Nursing Science (Honours) degree, normally with an average grade of B or above. International students whose first language is not English will require a proficiency level of at least 6.5 on the English Language Testing system (IELTS) or 575 in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Degree requirements
The minimum time for completing the course is one year full-time and the maximum is four years. The course may be taken either full-time or part-time.
Course structure
The Master of Nursing Science is a one-year, full-time or two-year, part-time 120-credit point award. This course provides students with two options in terms of structure, providing flexibility for students. Candidates may complete the Master of Nursing Science in one of two ways: minor thesis option or clinical project option. The thesis is normally 15,000 words in length. The thesis consists of a nursing research project using an appropriate methodological approach and on a topic related to the research strengths of the Division of Nursing and Midwifery. The clinical project is normally 10,000 words in length. The clinical project consists of a practice-based project related to one of the research specialties in the Division.
Candidates may complete the course in one of two ways:
Clinical project, full-time option
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | NSG5CPD or NSG5EDN | Clinical Practice Development Evidence-Based Development for Clinical Practice | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | NSG5REM | Research Methods in Nursing | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | NSG5CNL | Critical Inquiry for Nursing Leaders | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | NSG5CLH | Clinical Leadership in Health Care | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | NSG5CLP | Clinical Nursing Project | 40 |
Clinical project, part-time
First year
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | NSG5CPD or NSG5EDN | Clinical Practice Development Evidence-Based Development for Clinical Practice | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | NSG5CNL | Critical Inquiry for Nursing Leaders | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | NSG5CLH | Clinical Leadership in Health Care | 20 |
Second year
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | NSG5REM | Research Methods in Nursing | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | NSG5CLP | Clinical Nursing Project | 40 |
or
Minor thesis, full-time option
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM 1 | NSG5REM | Research Methods in Nursing | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | NSG5CNL | Critical Inquiry for Nursing Leaders | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | NSG5CPD or NSG5EDN | Clinical Practice Development Evidence-Based Development for Clinical Practice | 20 |
| TE-SEM 2 | NSG5MTL | Nursing Masters Thesis | 60 |
Minor thesis, part-time
First year
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM 1 | NSG5REM | Research Methods in Nursing | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | NSG5CNL | Critical Inquiry for Nursing Leaders | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | NSG5CPD or NSG5EDN | Clinical Practice Development Evidence-Based Development for Clinical Practice | 20 |
Second year
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM 1 | NSG5MTA | Masters Thesis A | 30 |
| TE-SEM 2 | NSG5MTB | Masters Thesis B | 30 |
Candidates who have the Postgraduate Diploma of Nursing Science or equivalent may be required to take the prescribed nursing theory subject. Selected subjects may be offered also by distance education, online and in the print medium.
Thesis and clinical project
The thesis and the clinical project are normally 15,000 and 10,000 words, respectively. The thesis consists of a nursing research project using an appropriate methodological approach.
The clinical project option aims to provide students with the opportunity to implement a project of clinical relevance, for example, a quality improvement project or clinical audit, while at the same time, advancing their level of nursing scholarship.
Participation in the Masters candidates’ thesis seminars is expected during thesis candidature. The seminars are designed to be a support for candidates and are a forum to assist in research conceptualisation and critique. Students will present their own work at a seminar.
Where a student has been granted an exemption from a subject in the Master of Nursing Science, they will enrol in the subject titled Independent Study Subject (NSG5ISU). This subject has a flexible structure and enables the student, with the help of a nominated supervisor, to develop a learning project appropriate to the student’s clinical practice needs. Students must seek approval from the course coordinator prior to enrolling in this subject.