Masters (Coursework)
The Master of Ageing and Health provides flexible online study options, allowing professionals to enhance their skills in gerontology through coursework or research. It is suitable for various health disciplines and offers topics relevant to aged care practice.
The Master of Ageing and Health offers great flexibility combined with a comprehensive learning experience. You can study online while continuing to work, allowing you to apply your knowledge within your current role.
With Charles Sturt University you'll have the option to complete your masters' degree by research or coursework. In the research strand, you'll develop specific skills in research and evaluation by completing core subjects and a research dissertation facilitating your knowledge contribution to practice. If you choose the coursework strand, you'll take a selection of core and elective subjects to augment your professional skills in human services.
The interdisciplinary nature of this gerontology degree means that it is a great postgraduate study option for people from a range of health professions and disciplines engaged in the aged care sector, including nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and social work. We offer a wide selection of topics relevant to practice so you can study areas of interest to help you achieve your career goals. Why not try our free short course, Understanding Ageing, to get a feel for some of the topics, challenges and opportunities in this dynamic field?
Our academics are dedicated professional educators who are highly experienced in their fields, and who provide personal engagement and support to guide you through your studies. People like Dr Belinda Cash and Robin Harvey, who have both received the Distinguished Member award from the Australian Association of Gerontology for their services to the field. Belinda has clinical practice experience in mental health and older adults, and rural carers and services, while Robin's professional background includes experience in the fields of health promotion with older adults, mental health, and age-friendly communities and environments.
A Bachelor's Degree (or AQF equivalent) in a health field, nursing, human services, social work, social sciences, health administration or other relevant undergraduate degree.
Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements apply. Click here to view the specific international course entry requirements.
For each 8-point subject you are enrolled in, you should expect to spend 10 to 12 hours per week working on assignments and assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, and attending lectures, intensive schools, or examinations. If you are studying four subjects per session, this is equivalent to a full-time job. The workload for some subjects may vary as a result of approved course design.
You may need to attend an online or on-campus intensive school for certain subjects in this course. These schools usually involve lectures, tutorials and practicals that will give you a deeper understanding of your subject.
The course consists of eight core subjects, one compulsory subject and Professional Practice OR a Research/Policy option.
Essential set (96 pts)Core subjects64 Credit PointsCodeTitleCredit PointsETH503Vulnerability and the Ethics of Intervention8 credit ptsGER401Social Determinants of Ageing and Health8 credit ptsGER402Health, Wellbeing and Family Care in Later Life8 credit ptsGER404Ageing and Professional Practice8 credit ptsGER406Issues in Dementia Care and Communication8 credit ptsGER501Contemporary Issues in Gerontology8 credit ptsGER503Leadership in Complex Aged Care Practice8 credit ptsSPE502Social Work and Social Policy Practice8 credit ptsProfessional Practice32 Credit PointsCompulsory subjects8 Credit PointsCodeTitleCredit PointsGER502End of Life and Palliative Care Issues in Ageing8 credit ptsRestricted electives24 Credit PointsSelect three (3) subjects from the following:
CodeTitleCredit PointsHCS523Leadership in Human Services Practice8 credit ptsWEL424Loss, Grief and Palliative Care for Older People8 credit ptsWEL429Indigenous Australian Practice for Human Service Workers8 credit ptsWEL523Contemporary Theories for Case Management8 credit ptsNRS566Advanced Nursing Practice8 credit ptsMGT559Contemporary Issues in Leadership8 credit ptsMGT569The Leadership Challenge8 credit ptsMGT584Leadership in Teams8 credit ptsSWK504Human Services Research Methods8 credit ptsResearch/Policy32 Credit PointsCompulsory subject24 Credit PointsCodeTitleCredit PointsSWK504Human Services Research Methods8 credit ptsSWK507Social Work and Human Services Dissertation16 credit ptsRestricted / Unrestricted elective8 Credit PointsStudents must select an elective aligned to the dissertation area.