Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study via Distance Education?
What does Distance Education mean?
What is the difference between the Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters?
How do I apply for credit (advanced standing) from previous study?
How do I apply for Postgraduate Nursing at La Trobe?
Is there a closing date for 2009 applications?
Can I complete my application online?
The closing date has passed, can I still apply?
What should I include in my application?
Can I study via Distance Education?
The Division of Nursing and Midwifery offers a wide range of Postgraduate Courses via both On Campus and Distance Education Learning.
What does Distance Education mean?
Distance Education is a flexible delivery option enabling the student to study at a time and location most convenient to their needs. Students enrolled via Distance Education within the Division of Nursing and Midwifery will be sent a learning package relevant to the unit for which they are enrolled and are not required to attend face to face lectures/tutorials.
The Distance Education Learning Packages can vary depending on the unit of enrolment. In some instances, the unit is taught wholly on-line requiring the student to log onto a Website specific to the unit. In other instances, the student is sent hard copy study guides and readings (sometimes on CD) and the unit is supplemented by the use of LMS.
The benefit of studying via Distance Education is the flexibility of being able to study from anywhere at anytime convenient to the student. The Division of Nursing and Midwifery recognises that at Postgraduate level, student lives are stretched without adding face to face contact and has designed course options to suit majority of enrolled students.
What is the difference between the Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters?
The certificate provides students with the opportunity to develop the specialist knowledge and skills required to deliver nursing care in their health care environment. In the first year students will undertake 3 certificate subjects (1 core and 2 specialty units) each worth 20 credit points (CP).
The postgraduate diploma is designed to encourage a broader study of intensive care nursing and prepare students for higher degree studies. The diploma comprises of six units, each worth 20 or 30cp.
The Masters program aims to broaden and deepen the theoretical knowledge of intensive care and provides the opportunity for students to develop knowledge and skills in research and equips them to undertake higher degrees by research. The Masters program comprises of nine units (6 which must be at a master’s level).
Can I defer my offer?
Postgraduate students cannot defer an offer. Applicants who are successful in gaining an offer in 2009 but are not able to take the offer up, will have to reject the offer and apply again at the next intake.
Can I study part time?
All courses with the exception of the Postgraduate Diploma of Midwifery Science are available in part time mode.
How do I apply for credit (advanced standing) from previous study?
Although the University does not encourage credit at postgraduate level, the Division of Nursing and Midwifery will certainly consider requests for recognition of prior studies. At La Trobe, this is known as ‘Advanced Standing’. Students can obtain an ‘Application for Advanced Standing’ form from the Division of Nursing and Midwifery.
You do not need to submit this request with your application. Once you are enrolled, you can complete the above mentioned form and submit it to the Division of Nursing and Midwifery along with certified evidence of your prior studies (unit descriptions may be required).
Do I require a Police Check?
Students who are offered a place in any of the following specialties are required to obtain a police check prior to commencing their clinical placement:
- Child, Family and Community (aka Maternal Child Health)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
- Midwifery
Students will be advised of the process once they have been made an offer and are enrolled into the course.
What is LMS?
LMS is an internet based learning management system to allow you to obtain learning materials and activities related to your studies from any location with internet access. This is part of our online component within our courses.
What is Continuing Education?
Continuing Education is the term we use for courses that allow you to develop professionally through single unit and short courses. Some of the courses we offer include:
- Nurse Immunisation
- Breast Care
- Urological & Continence
- Prostate Care
- Wound Management
- Nursing Lung Cancer
How do I apply for Postgraduate Nursing at La Trobe?
By submitting the completed application form, which is available from here (download document PDF file 169KB) and together with supporting documentation to Bundoora Campus of the Division of Nursing and Midwifery.
Is there a closing date for 2009 applications?
The closing date for timely applications is 17 October 2008. Applications received after this date may be considered for a Full Fee Paying Offer only. Applicants wishing to be considered for a Commonwealth Supported Place are strongly advised to submit their application to the Bundoora campus by no later than 17 October for consideration.
Can I complete my application online?
No, you will need to print off the application form, complete and forward to the Division of Nursing and Midwifery, with the relevant certified documentation attached.
The closing date has passed, can I still apply?
The official closing date is the 17th October but you can still submit an application up to the 30th January. Applications received after 17 October will be considered for a Full-Fee paying place. Applications received after the 30th January may not be considered.
What should I include in my application?
In order for your application to be assessed there are several documents that must accompany your completed application form. Applicants should provide certified copies of the following documents:
- Current registration with the Nurses Board of Victoria. o If you are residing in another state or territory, then you must provide evidence of your nursing registration in that state or territory. o If your course has a clinical component you must be registered with the Nurses Board of Victoria.
- Evidence of citizenship or permanent residency o If you are born in Australia you should provide either your birth certificate or passport (a drivers licence is not sufficient). o Please note, if you are an international student, you should contact the Division of Nursing and Midwifery on 03 9479 5950 to confirm how to apply.
- Change of name documentation (if applicable)
- If you have had a change of name, you must provide evidence of the change. For example – if you are providing your birth certificate and have been married (and have taken your partners’ surname) then you should provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Academic Transcripts o Master level applicants must provide certified copies of academic transcripts in order to be considered for entry.
NOTE: - Certified Copies: You can take your original documents along with a photocopy to any police station or pharmacy where they will sight the originals and stamp the copies as certified documents.
Applicants wishing to be considered for a Commonwealth Supported Place must make sure that certified copies of relevant Academic Transcripts are submitted at the time of application. Failure to do say may result in a Full Fee Paying Offer only.
Failure to provide supporting documentation may delay your application being considered. Examples of appropriate documentation include certified Academic Records for previous studies, Certificates, etc. Do not send original copies of any of these documents as they cannot be returned to you. Although every attempt is made to ensure that the information contained within this FAQ sheet is accurate, the University accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information.
Although every attempt is made to ensure that the information contained within this FAQ sheet is accurate, the University accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information.