New Bachelor and Master Double Degree Programs.

 The Faculty of Health Sciences introduces 8 new combined Bachelor and Masters degree programs in 2009. 

These innovative double degree programs enable students to obtain both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in only four years.
Existing courses which are changing from Bachelor’s only degrees to a combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degree package are listed below:

The new programs lead to the same professional qualifications and registrations as the University’s existing Bachelor degrees as listed above and will take you four years to complete. 
As part of this exciting curriculum development, all new double degree programs also share a common first year. This enables maximum flexibility for suitably qualified students to transfer between these programs, following first year and where places are available.*
Not only do La Trobe’s Health Sciences’ courses have a long and distinguished history in Victoria, but in some of the disciplines have the distinct advantage of being the only course or one of a small few offered in either Victoria and/or Australia.
Over recent years, governments have increasingly recognised the essential role of allied health in Australia’s primary care and acute health services. Allied health professionals play a critical role in the nation’s hospitals, in primary care, in preventative health care and in community and aged care services.
Working collaboratively with doctors and nurses, allied health clinicians diagnose and treat a range of conditions in multi-disciplinary teams and offer their unique contribution. In recognition of this, particularly in relation to chronic disease management, many allied health services are now subsidised under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).
Australia’s 90,000 allied health professionals play a crucial role in strengthening health policies and programs, and addressing the critical workforce demands. Greater access to allied health services by all Australians would strengthen preventative as well as remedial health care, and so assist in limiting health costs in the longer term.

A career in Allied Health is a global career. Allied Health professionals have the opportunity to work in parts of the world where their skills are highly desired and valued. Countries ravaged by natural disasters, famine, poverty and disease are just some places where Allied professionals can make a difference.
There are significant shortages in the primary care health professional workforce right around Australia. It is evident not just in rural and remote areas, where health professionals from many disciplines tend to be in short supply. In metropolitan hospitals, in private sector clinics and in community health services, difficulties in recruiting are being widely reported.The rise in chronic disease, the emphasis on lifestyle prescriptions and the need for a whole of population approach are all increasing the demand for allied health services.

 

 

“We're proud of Health Sciences education and research at La Trobe. We think our health professional courses are innovative and exciting. Come and explore the possibilities they offer for you!”

Professor Hal Swerissen Dean

 

“As of 2009, we join the University of Sydney in offering the only four-year Bachelor and Master programs in Australia.  We offer a wider variety of professional health qualification choices with flexible entry and exit points.  We look forward to being at the forefront in offering an innovative curriculum and clinical experiences and welcoming you into these courses in 2009.”

Associate Professor Kerry Fitzmaurice Associate Dean Academic

New Graduate Entry Master’s Programs

The Faculty is also introducing a number of two-year Graduate Entry (GEM) programs for students who have already undertaken an undergraduate qualification in Health Sciences or another discipline area.

In 2009, the Master of Occupational Therapy Practice and the Master of Speech Pathology will be offered.
In 2010, the University plans to offer the Master of Health Information Management, Master of Orthoptics and Master of Social Work. 
In 2011, the Master of Physiotherapy Practice, Master of Podiatric Practice and Master of Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics will be offered.

Course Structure

The below diagram depicts how the new double degree programs are structured and the different entry and exit points available. (Click to open up a larger version)

How the different options can work for you

Caroline is very interested in studying Occupational Therapy and, whilst she knows she can obtain a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in four years at other universities, she is really excited to discover that La Trobe now offers a combined Bachelor and Master degree program. At La Trobe, she can obtain both a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree and Master of Occupational Therapy Practice degree in the same four year period, qualifying her to practise as an Occupational Therapist.

Ava is undertaking Year 12 and is very keen to get into the new Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Physiotherapy Practice double degree program.  However she knows the ENTER required for this course could be high. At the time of making her course selection through VTAC, she lists the Physiotherapy course as her first preference and then lists the Bachelor of Health Sciences (single degree) at La Trobe, knowing that the ENTER of this course is likely to be more achievable for her. VCE results come out and Ava doesn’t receive an offer from Physiotherapy as the cut-off is too high, but she does receive an offer for the Bachelor of Health Sciences.  Ava undertakes the first year of the Bachelor of Health Sciences and achieves an excellent grade point average.  She applies for an internal transfer for entry into the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Physiotherapy Practice program and is accepted.  Ava commences in the 2nd year of the Physiotherapy double degree program, receiving full credit for her first year of study, and is pleased she can now fulfil her ambitions of one day working in this field.

Charlie is interested in a number of health-related courses and, at the end of Year 12, is still unsure which course he is most passionate about doing.  He achieves an excellent ENTER result and gets into his first choice of course: the new Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Speech Pathology double degree program.  Charlie undertakes the first year of the course which has a common first year with two other courses he was considering.  The great thing about the common first year is that he learns more about the other health professions and decides at the end of first year that Health Information Management is where he sees himself heading, finding the prospect of working in senior management within the health system very appealing.  He applies for an internal transfer into the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Health Information Management. His application is successful and he moves straight into the second year of the Health Information Management course.

Jenna has just completed a Bachelor of Arts and would like to broaden her career options. She sees herself in a vocation where she is helping people and decides to apply for two graduate entry Master’s programs: the Master of Social Work and the Master of Occupational Therapy Practice.  Receiving offers for both programs she accepts the Social Work offer and at the end of two years is a qualified Social Worker, enjoying working with people in a community health setting

For more FAQ regarding the New Undergraduate Curriculum please follow this link.

Content Approved by: Registrar
Page maintained by: Senior Academic Officer
Last Updated: April 30th, 2008