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Master of Gerontology

Course code/s: Melbourne (HMG)

Please note there will be no intake into this course in 2012.

This course addresses the urgent need in Australia for highly trained professionals who can respond to the diverse and growing challenges of an ageing population. The course is relevant to a wide range of professionals including health and welfare administrators, medical practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals, and other graduates whose work would benefit from a greater understanding of ageing and aged care.

The aims of the course are to:

• establish a community of Australian graduates who have advanced conceptual knowledge and skills in the area of ageing
• equip professionals with knowledge, attitude and skills for promoting a positive approach towards working with older people and improving the quality of services for older people
• enhance the leadership and career potential for practitioners and graduates from relevant professions
• develop analytical, practical and research skills that enable professionals to contribute effectively to the development, management and evaluation of programs for healthy older people, as well as frail older people and their care-givers.

The course is designed to integrate theory, practice and research in gerontology in a two-tier structure. The coursework comprises the first stage and provides the basic knowledge and skills in the field; namely, a multidisciplinary approach to ageing, research skills in gerontology, and areas of application to older people in policy and clinical contexts. The second stage includes an extension of coursework with a substantial application to a range of fields and professions in gerontology, and a research thesis in a specialised area of gerontology. The course is taught by a multidisciplinary team from a wide range of areas relevant to gerontology.

Admission requirements

Applicants are eligible for admission to the Master of Gerontology if they have one of the following:

• a four-year bachelor degree with a B average (70%+) or higher
• a three-year bachelor degree, plus honours, with a B average or higher
• a three-year bachelor degree plus a relevant postgraduate diploma with a B average or higher
• A master degree or higher

Qualifications should be in the social sciences, health sciences or a related discipline, and experience in areas such as aged care, nursing, allied health, public policy or public administration would be advantageous.

Applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements may be required to complete the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, or equivalent, (with a B average or higher) as well as demonstrating relevant experience.

Course structure

The course is provided on a full-time basis over two years or a part-time basis over four years.

Part 1

Part 1 of the Master of Gerontology is comprised of subjects from the Postgraduate Diploma of Gerontology. Applicants who have successfully completed another relevant postgraduate qualification may be eligible for advanced standing for part, or all, of this component.

Part 2

Part 2 can be taken full-time over one year, or part-time over two years. A typical pattern of study, if the course is taken as 50% of full-time, is below:

First year

Teaching period	Subject code	Subject title	Credit Points
TE-SEM-1	PHE5ARS	Advanced Research Skills	15
TE-SEM-1	GER5THA	Minor Thesis	15
TE-SEM-2	GER5THB	Minor Thesis	15
and
TE-SEM-2	PHE5QRM	Quantitative Research Methods in Health	15
or
TE-SEM-2	PHE5QMH	Qualitative Methods in Health Research	15

 

Second year

Teaching period	Subject code	Subject title	Credit Points
TE-SEM-1	GER5THC	Minor Thesis	15
TE-SEM-1/2	GER5PPA	Policy Planning and Practice in Aged Care	15
TE-SEM-2	GER5THD	Minor Thesis	15
and
TE-SEM-1/2	GER5___	elective1	15
or
TE-SEM-1/2	PHE5__	elective1	15

Key: ¹ The elective must be at a master’s level, equivalent to 15 credit points and relevant to gerontology. It may be taken from any faculty within the University. Enrolment in the elective is subject to the approval of the Course Coordinator.