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Admission and Unit Information - Master of Health Science

Accreditation

Graduates of the Master of Health Science with specialisations in Health Services Management, Aged Care Management and Health Planning will be eligible for professional accreditation with the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM).

Admission

Applicants must have either:

an undergraduate degree, or higher, in a health, welfare or aged care discipline

or

a graduate diploma or graduate certificate in a health, welfare or aged care discipline plus at least three years work experience in a health, welfare or aged care discipline.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to UWS should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

International applicants must apply directly to the University of Western Sydney via UWS International.

International students applying to UWS through UWS International can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UWS International website.

http://pubsites.uws.edu.au/international/

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and UWS.

Course Structure

Master of Health Science (generic option)

For Specialisations available please see below.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended sequence

Full-time (Start year intake)

Autumn session

Methods of Researching

This unit aims for postgraduate students to apply scientific methods to a variety of research situations and questions; to understand the range of ways in which additions to knowledge in the applied sciences are initiated, validated and communicated and to prepare and trial research designs best suited to the particular type of issue each student wishes to address. The unit is taught through self-paced, self-directed learning. Class contact will be a three-day workshop, in the first and second half of session, respectively. Students will have the opportunity to field test their own research design.

Health Financial Management

This Unit provides health leaders with an introduction to financial management in health and aged care settings as a basis for understanding the impact of leadership decision-making on financial outcomes and how financial decision-making impacts on clinical service delivery. Content includes an overview of health economics and economic evaluation, health care funding models, the principles, practices and tools for financial planning and management, basic accounting principles and financial terminology and using financial information and reporting for negotiating financial plans, tracking and evaluating financial performance and using financial information in decision-making within the clinical environment.

Choose one of

Public Health, Policy and Society

This unit examines the nature of public health and develops a systemic understanding of various public health policy frameworks and issues. The unit provides the context and history for understanding public health approaches, explores the cultural and social dimensions of health and illness and the economic and political environment in which health policies and strategies are developed and implemented. The unit advocates a view of health that includes an implicit recognition of the physical, social and economic environment, affirms the importance of social justice and equity in health care, and emphasises the importance of inter-sectoral collaboration.

Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care Provision

This unit enables students to gain an understanding of the political and social constructions that underpin health care services. It also provides students with the opportunity to explore and critically analyse issues related to the development, implementation and outcomes of health and aged care policies.

Choose one of

Building Organisational Capacity in Health Care

The concept, form and structure of health care organisations are explored. Organisational theory is used to analyse contemporary health care structures. Factors which influence organisational design, function and effectiveness are discussed including: organisational behaviour, strategy, culture, power and politics, technology, sustainability and effectiveness. A major focus is planning for strategic organisational development to meet the challenges of rapid change and the need for performance improvements in patient care delivery. Concepts related to the strategic development of workforce capacity in the health care arena considered through the application of theories including the learning organisation. Leadership is examined with emphasis on change management.

Leadership and the Development of Organisational Capacity

This unit examines the concept, form and structure of health care organisations. Organisational theory is explored and used to analyse a range of structures used in nursing and contemporary health care. Factors which influence organisational design, function and effectiveness are explored and discussed including: organisational behaviour, strategy, culture, power and politics, technology, sustainability and effectiveness. A major focus in the unit is planning for strategic organisational development to meet the challenges of rapid change and the need for performance improvements in patient care delivery. Concepts related to the strategic development of workforce capacity in the health care arena are considered through the application of a range of theories including the learning organisation. Leadership will be examined within the context of the unit with a particular emphasis on change management.

Students may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Health Science at this point.

Spring session

Two units chosen from the prescribed list of health science units below

Students may exit with a Graduate Diploma in Health Science at this point.

One unit chosen from the prescribed list of health science units below

Choose one of

Professional Topic

This unit is designed to allow high achieving students who have an interest in potentially undertaking higher degree research after graduation the opportunity to comprehensively explore a relevant topic of interest to them.

Or one elective

Part-time (Start year intake)

Year 1

Autumn session

Health Financial Management

This Unit provides health leaders with an introduction to financial management in health and aged care settings as a basis for understanding the impact of leadership decision-making on financial outcomes and how financial decision-making impacts on clinical service delivery. Content includes an overview of health economics and economic evaluation, health care funding models, the principles, practices and tools for financial planning and management, basic accounting principles and financial terminology and using financial information and reporting for negotiating financial plans, tracking and evaluating financial performance and using financial information in decision-making within the clinical environment.

Choose one of

Public Health, Policy and Society

This unit examines the nature of public health and develops a systemic understanding of various public health policy frameworks and issues. The unit provides the context and history for understanding public health approaches, explores the cultural and social dimensions of health and illness and the economic and political environment in which health policies and strategies are developed and implemented. The unit advocates a view of health that includes an implicit recognition of the physical, social and economic environment, affirms the importance of social justice and equity in health care, and emphasises the importance of inter-sectoral collaboration.

Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care Provision

This unit enables students to gain an understanding of the political and social constructions that underpin health care services. It also provides students with the opportunity to explore and critically analyse issues related to the development, implementation and outcomes of health and aged care policies.

Spring session

Methods of Researching

This unit aims for postgraduate students to apply scientific methods to a variety of research situations and questions; to understand the range of ways in which additions to knowledge in the applied sciences are initiated, validated and communicated and to prepare and trial research designs best suited to the particular type of issue each student wishes to address. The unit is taught through self-paced, self-directed learning. Class contact will be a three-day workshop, in the first and second half of session, respectively. Students will have the opportunity to field test their own research design.

Choose one of

Building Organisational Capacity in Health Care

The concept, form and structure of health care organisations are explored. Organisational theory is used to analyse contemporary health care structures. Factors which influence organisational design, function and effectiveness are discussed including: organisational behaviour, strategy, culture, power and politics, technology, sustainability and effectiveness. A major focus is planning for strategic organisational development to meet the challenges of rapid change and the need for performance improvements in patient care delivery. Concepts related to the strategic development of workforce capacity in the health care arena considered through the application of theories including the learning organisation. Leadership is examined with emphasis on change management.

Leadership and the Development of Organisational Capacity

This unit examines the concept, form and structure of health care organisations. Organisational theory is explored and used to analyse a range of structures used in nursing and contemporary health care. Factors which influence organisational design, function and effectiveness are explored and discussed including: organisational behaviour, strategy, culture, power and politics, technology, sustainability and effectiveness. A major focus in the unit is planning for strategic organisational development to meet the challenges of rapid change and the need for performance improvements in patient care delivery. Concepts related to the strategic development of workforce capacity in the health care arena are considered through the application of a range of theories including the learning organisation. Leadership will be examined within the context of the unit with a particular emphasis on change management.

Students may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Health Science at this point.

Year 2

Autumn session

Two units chosen from the prescribed list of health science units below

Students may exit with a Graduate Diploma in Health Science at this point.

Spring session

One unit chosen from the prescribed list of health science units below

Choose one of

Professional Topic

This unit is designed to allow high achieving students who have an interest in potentially undertaking higher degree research after graduation the opportunity to comprehensively explore a relevant topic of interest to them.

Or one elective

Full-time (Mid-year intake)

Spring session

Methods of Researching

This unit aims for postgraduate students to apply scientific methods to a variety of research situations and questions; to understand the range of ways in which additions to knowledge in the applied sciences are initiated, validated and communicated and to prepare and trial research designs best suited to the particular type of issue each student wishes to address. The unit is taught through self-paced, self-directed learning. Class contact will be a three-day workshop, in the first and second half of session, respectively. Students will have the opportunity to field test their own research design.

One unit chosen from the prescribed list of health science units below

Choose one of

Building Organisational Capacity in Health Care

The concept, form and structure of health care organisations are explored. Organisational theory is used to analyse contemporary health care structures. Factors which influence organisational design, function and effectiveness are discussed including: organisational behaviour, strategy, culture, power and politics, technology, sustainability and effectiveness. A major focus is planning for strategic organisational development to meet the challenges of rapid change and the need for performance improvements in patient care delivery. Concepts related to the strategic development of workforce capacity in the health care arena considered through the application of theories including the learning organisation. Leadership is examined with emphasis on change management.

Leadership and the Development of Organisational Capacity

This unit examines the concept, form and structure of health care organisations. Organisational theory is explored and used to analyse a range of structures used in nursing and contemporary health care. Factors which influence organisational design, function and effectiveness are explored and discussed including: organisational behaviour, strategy, culture, power and politics, technology, sustainability and effectiveness. A major focus in the unit is planning for strategic organisational development to meet the challenges of rapid change and the need for performance improvements in patient care delivery. Concepts related to the strategic development of workforce capacity in the health care arena are considered through the application of a range of theories including the learning organisation. Leadership will be examined within the context of the unit with a particular emphasis on change management.

Choose one of

Professional Topic

This unit is designed to allow high achieving students who have an interest in potentially undertaking higher degree research after graduation the opportunity to comprehensively explore a relevant topic of interest to them.

Or one elective

Autumn session

Health Financial Management

This Unit provides health leaders with an introduction to financial management in health and aged care settings as a basis for understanding the impact of leadership decision-making on financial outcomes and how financial decision-making impacts on clinical service delivery. Content includes an overview of health economics and economic evaluation, health care funding models, the principles, practices and tools for financial planning and management, basic accounting principles and financial terminology and using financial information and reporting for negotiating financial plans, tracking and evaluating financial performance and using financial information in decision-making within the clinical environment.

Two units chosen from the prescribed list of health science units below

Choose one of

Public Health, Policy and Society

This unit examines the nature of public health and develops a systemic understanding of various public health policy frameworks and issues. The unit provides the context and history for understanding public health approaches, explores the cultural and social dimensions of health and illness and the economic and political environment in which health policies and strategies are developed and implemented. The unit advocates a view of health that includes an implicit recognition of the physical, social and economic environment, affirms the importance of social justice and equity in health care, and emphasises the importance of inter-sectoral collaboration.

Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care Provision

This unit enables students to gain an understanding of the political and social constructions that underpin health care services. It also provides students with the opportunity to explore and critically analyse issues related to the development, implementation and outcomes of health and aged care policies.

Part-time (Mid-year intake)

Year 1

Spring session

Methods of Researching

This unit aims for postgraduate students to apply scientific methods to a variety of research situations and questions; to understand the range of ways in which additions to knowledge in the applied sciences are initiated, validated and communicated and to prepare and trial research designs best suited to the particular type of issue each student wishes to address. The unit is taught through self-paced, self-directed learning. Class contact will be a three-day workshop, in the first and second half of session, respectively. Students will have the opportunity to field test their own research design.

Choose one of

Building Organisational Capacity in Health Care

The concept, form and structure of health care organisations are explored. Organisational theory is used to analyse contemporary health care structures. Factors which influence organisational design, function and effectiveness are discussed including: organisational behaviour, strategy, culture, power and politics, technology, sustainability and effectiveness. A major focus is planning for strategic organisational development to meet the challenges of rapid change and the need for performance improvements in patient care delivery. Concepts related to the strategic development of workforce capacity in the health care arena considered through the application of theories including the learning organisation. Leadership is examined with emphasis on change management.

Leadership and the Development of Organisational Capacity

This unit examines the concept, form and structure of health care organisations. Organisational theory is explored and used to analyse a range of structures used in nursing and contemporary health care. Factors which influence organisational design, function and effectiveness are explored and discussed including: organisational behaviour, strategy, culture, power and politics, technology, sustainability and effectiveness. A major focus in the unit is planning for strategic organisational development to meet the challenges of rapid change and the need for performance improvements in patient care delivery. Concepts related to the strategic development of workforce capacity in the health care arena are considered through the application of a range of theories including the learning organisation. Leadership will be examined within the context of the unit with a particular emphasis on change management.

Autumn session

One unit chosen from the prescribed list of health science units below

Choose one of

Public Health, Policy and Society

This unit examines the nature of public health and develops a systemic understanding of various public health policy frameworks and issues. The unit provides the context and history for understanding public health approaches, explores the cultural and social dimensions of health and illness and the economic and political environment in which health policies and strategies are developed and implemented. The unit advocates a view of health that includes an implicit recognition of the physical, social and economic environment, affirms the importance of social justice and equity in health care, and emphasises the importance of inter-sectoral collaboration.

Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care Provision

This unit enables students to gain an understanding of the political and social constructions that underpin health care services. It also provides students with the opportunity to explore and critically analyse issues related to the development, implementation and outcomes of health and aged care policies.

Year 2

Spring session

One unit chosen from the prescribed list of health science units below

Choose one of

Professional Topic

This unit is designed to allow high achieving students who have an interest in potentially undertaking higher degree research after graduation the opportunity to comprehensively explore a relevant topic of interest to them.

Or one elective

Autumn session

Health Financial Management

This Unit provides health leaders with an introduction to financial management in health and aged care settings as a basis for understanding the impact of leadership decision-making on financial outcomes and how financial decision-making impacts on clinical service delivery. Content includes an overview of health economics and economic evaluation, health care funding models, the principles, practices and tools for financial planning and management, basic accounting principles and financial terminology and using financial information and reporting for negotiating financial plans, tracking and evaluating financial performance and using financial information in decision-making within the clinical environment.

One unit chosen from the prescribed list of health science units below

Recommended Electives and Prescribed list of Health Science units

The following units are offered in internal (on campus) mode

A Global Perspective on Social Determinants of Health

Evidence is mounting that the health of individuals, groups and whole populations is significantly determined by social factors - the social determinants. The related research has its origins in concern for the growing inequalities in health both within and between countries. This unit examines the framework of the social determinants of health in a global perspective and includes a reflection on the phenomenon of globalisation and its impact, both positive and negative on people's health. Students will critically reflect on this relatively new and emerging body of knowledge and research which clearly situates the maintenance of health and healthy societies within their socioeconomic and socio-cultural contexts. They will also examine implications for policy, health systems and different groups within society.

Professional Topic

This unit is designed to allow high achieving students who have an interest in potentially undertaking higher degree research after graduation the opportunity to comprehensively explore a relevant topic of interest to them.

Note: 400850 Professional Topic is only available to students wishing to pursue a research higher degree after graduation

The following units are offered in external mode

Communicable Diseases

This unit will encompass clinical aspects, epidemiology, prevention and control of important communicable diseases, both in Australia, and globally. Specific topics covered include causative agents, routes of transmission, host responses, risk factors, environmental influences, vector- and food-borne diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases, legislative requirements, surveillance, outbreak investigations, bioterrorism, strategies for prevention and control and emerging challenges.

Health Financial Management

This Unit provides health leaders with an introduction to financial management in health and aged care settings as a basis for understanding the impact of leadership decision-making on financial outcomes and how financial decision-making impacts on clinical service delivery. Content includes an overview of health economics and economic evaluation, health care funding models, the principles, practices and tools for financial planning and management, basic accounting principles and financial terminology and using financial information and reporting for negotiating financial plans, tracking and evaluating financial performance and using financial information in decision-making within the clinical environment.

The following units are offered in both internal (on campus) and external mode

Occupational Health Management

This unit focuses on the practice of occupational health within national and international frameworks. It explores issues such as the physical, social and mental impact of the occupational environment on health and includes the human body's response to occupational health hazard exposure through toxicological and epidemiological principles. Strategies for the management of occupational health are examined, together with methods of monitoring and evaluating occupational health programs.

Methods of Researching

This unit aims for postgraduate students to apply scientific methods to a variety of research situations and questions; to understand the range of ways in which additions to knowledge in the applied sciences are initiated, validated and communicated and to prepare and trial research designs best suited to the particular type of issue each student wishes to address. The unit is taught through self-paced, self-directed learning. Class contact will be a three-day workshop, in the first and second half of session, respectively. Students will have the opportunity to field test their own research design.

Safety and Risk Management

This unit provides a critical insight into the theory and practice of managing safety and health at the workplace with a dual focus on risk management and safety management. Students have the opportunity to develop a safety systems approach concentrating on hazard identification, risk assessment and devising control measures incorporating safety management principles. Safety culture and its influence on OHS practice is also detailed. In addition, the unit addresses the legal underpinning of OHS requirements at the workplace. Labour market change and the role of government, unions and employer organisations are also examined. Global perspectives on OHS from various jurisdictions ranging from the USA, Hong Kong and China are also scrutinised.

Air, Water and Noise Management

This unit introduces the student to a range of skills required to assess the environment in relation to air, water and noise. Students will be introduced to the legislative framework that supports pollution control and environmental management in NSW. Methods of controlling air, water and noise pollution will be covered. The concept of indicators and their use will be introduced. Students will select either an air, water or noise issue to undertake a more in-depth study for assessment purposes.

Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

The unit will expose students to the various methods used in measuring exposures to chemical pollutants, biological pollutants, ergonomics, noise, heat & cold and lighting in both the workplace and general indoor environment. In addition to assessing the exposures student will explore the various methods available of controlling the different types of exposures. The unit will involve measuring various types of potential hazards and comparing the results to current standards before recommending methods of controlling the hazard/s.

Health Advancement and Health Promotion

Health promotion is a process that seeks to enable individuals, communities and populations to increase control over their health by addressing the determinants of health, resulting in improved health outcomes. The historical development of international health promotion efforts will be traced. Various theoretical underpinnings of health promotion are explored, factors enhancing and limiting interventions reviewed and the levels of health promoting actions demonstrated with a view to developing best practice. Evaluation of health promotion activity is also reviewed.

Health and Socio-political Issues in Aged Care

This unit provides an insight into the contemporary world of older people though selected themes. Students will gain experience dealing with the ways older people are represented through the media, health and social policies, laws and legislation, and the way that these representations impact on their lives. In particular ageism and its link to health and sociopolitical issues in older people is examined. Additional issues for older people in regard to their opportunities to access health care services and their experiences of these services are also addressed.

Quality and Safety in Health Care

Health care managers and clinicians are responsible for the quality and safety of patient care within their units. To introduce a culture of safety they must understand and work within current policy, surveillance and governance strategies. In this unit students will study the cultural and governance environments within which quality and safety systems are introduced in health care. Students will also develop skills required to effectively use the tools available for managing and monitoring quality and safety issues within their workplace.

Health Workforce Planning

This is a flexible learning unit looking at Human Resources Management (HRM) as a strategic activity of health organisations especially as workforce shortages pose significant challenges to the health, welfare and aged care sectors. The workforce, with appropriate knowledge and expertise, is essential to the efficient and effective delivery of quality health services. Successful organisations shape their workforce to anticipate current and future business directions and goals. Workforce planning is a crucial element of this approach and its success.

Health Services and Facilities Planning

Planning occurs at all levels within all health organisations, government, non-government and in the private sector. There is a hierarchy in planning health services with some global overarching policy documents, national agreed priorities which affect corporate and regional plans as well as local services and projects. Planning focuses on future directions for health, is value based and resource allocation driven. The process of planning will be outlined including how to conduct a needs analysis, develop an evidence based approach, consult with stakeholders including the community, document an implementation plan and evaluate outcomes.

Specialisations

Health Services Management

From 2010 this specialisation is offered in on- campus and external mode. This specialisation is designed for managers who require skills in contemporary management and their application in the health care setting. Particular emphasis is placed on critical and analytic skills in policy analysis, economic evaluation and epidemiology, thus providing graduates with the ability to respond creatively to changes as they arise. Health managers need to be current with developments in the general business area so potential in the health care setting can be evaluated and appropriate initiatives implemented. Particular specialty units include Strategy Analysis, Decision Making Human Resource Management, also Quality and Safety in Health Care.

Aged Care Management

From 2010 this specialisation is offered in on- campus and external mode. Staff working in health and aged care organisations, charitable and private sectors especially those in supervisory and management positions will find this exposes them to contemporary issues in aged care, allowing them to up-skill management knowledge to position themselves in the forefront of innovation in the delivery and organisation of quality aged care. Specialty units include Health and Socio-Political Issues in Aged Care, Leadership in Quality & Safety in Health Care and Health Workforce Planning. They have an opportunity to undertake Professional Topic or an elective. Judicious selection of an elective means students can study in a second specialty area eg Health Planning, Health Services Management or Human Resources and Industrial Relations Management.

Health Planning

From 2010 this specialisation is offered in on- campus and external mode. All managers undertake forward planning to proactively manage future services and identify workforce and facility requirements. This specialty keeps students up to date with current forward planning approaches and initiatives in health and other sectors that work with health. Students are exposed to the process of planning, how to set goals and objectives, monitor and evaluate performance outcomes. Current issues are explored in the specialty units Health Services and Facilities Planning, Workforce Planning and also Quality and Safety in Health Care. Second specialty options include Health Services management, Human Resources and Industrial Relations Management and Aged Care Management.

International Health

This specialisation broadens the public health approach of looking at all determinants of health, which include broader social and environmental factors in addition to physical risk factors to include international health studies. For this, students will study a wide range of evaluation processes and research methods such as policy analysis, economic evaluation, epidemiology and qualitative methods. The focus of practical skills is in Communicable Diseases, and students will integrate research, analytical and practical skills in the evaluation of contemporary public health issues. A double specialty is possible with the health promotion specialty.

Health Promotion

In addition to the four core units, this specialisation includes Health Promotion Health Advancement and A Global Perspective on Social Determinants of Health. Students are taken through the process of health needs analysis, risk and protective factors, planning, writing grant applications and evaluating interventions, based on identified competency requirements.

Occupational Health & Safety

Specialisation units include Occupational Health Management and Safety and Risk Management which focus on the practice of occupational health within national and international frameworks. It explores issues such as the physical, social and mental impact of the occupational environment on health. Strategies for the management of occupational health are examined, together with methods of monitoring and evaluating occupational health programs. Students have the opportunity to develop a safety systems approach concentrating on hazard identification, risk assessment and devising control measures incorporating safety management principles. The legal underpinning of OHS requirements at the workplace are also covered. A double specialty with the next option is possible. Students may select two electives to suit their career aspirations.

Occupational & Environmental Hygiene

The specialisation includes the units Occupational and Enviro Hygiene also Air Water and Noise Management. They show students the methods involved in measuring potential hazards, how to compare results with current standards before recommending methods of control. Hazards such as chemical and biological pollutants, ergonomics, noise, heat, cold and lighting in both the workplace and general indoor environment, and the various methods are considered. A range of skills required to assess the environment in relation to air, water and noise and underpinning legislative framework are explored.

Research Studies

This specialisation is designed for students wishing to proceed to higher degree in research. It includes specialty units in Research Philosophy and Methodology and a 20 credit point unit Advanced Thesis Preparation, in addition to the core unit of methods of Researching. This helps students understand how to identify a research problem critically evaluated the literature and prepare a research proposal. It allows students to become familiar with the requirements of thesis writing from an early stage and develops an appreciation for ethical issues in research in higher degrees.

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