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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc)

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Overview

In general, this qualification is intended for health professionals who have completed three years of tertiary study and already have experience in the field. The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) may be taken either as a generic qualification or, more usually, with an endorsement in a specific area of specialisation. Please check the requirements of each endorsement carefully.

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Information for new applicants

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) is a postgraduate diploma comprising papers to the value of 120 points (usually four 30 point papers). It can be taken as a generic “unendorsed” option or as an "endorsed" option from those listed below.

You can obtain information about each endorsement by clicking on the links below.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences is taught from three campuses (Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington). Contact details at each campus are listed below. Alternatively, contact postgrad-health-sciences@otago.ac.nz for guidance.

The Diploma may be credited towards the Master of Health Sciences, though admission to the Masters will depend upon performance.

Please seek advice from a course adviser prior to submitting your application.

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Contact Details

Dunedin
KC Worden
Postgraduate Advisor
Health Sciences Division Administration
University of Otago, Dunedin
Tel 64 3 479 7421
Email postgrad-health-sciences@otago.ac.nz

Christchurch
Ruth Helms
Manager, Academic Programmes
University of Otago, Christchurch
Tel 64 3 364 0527 or 64 3 364 3664
Email ruth.helms@otago.ac.nz

Wellington
Trevor Williams
Postgraduate Liaison Officer
Postgraduate Office
University of Otago, Wellington
Tel 64 4 385 5543
Email trevor.williams@otago.ac.nz

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Schedule of Endorsed Options

Endorsements marked with an asterisk are available through Distance Learning.

Each endorsement is based at a particular campus indicated below: D = Dunedin, C = Christchurch, W = Wellington.

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Programme Requirements

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Addiction and Co-existing Disorders

Papers

  • PSMX 404  Addiction Assessment; and 

  • Two of
    PSMX 416 Addiction Applied Theory,
    PSMX 422 Addiction Treatment,
    PSMX 424 Addiction Pharmacotherapy,
    PSMX 430 Motivating Behaviour Change 1; and

  • One other approved paper.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Addiction and Co-existing Disorders is available through Distance Learning.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport

Papers

  • AVMX 717   Medical Logistics in Aeromedical Transport; and

  • AVMX 718  Operational Aspects of Aeromedical Transport; and

  • AVMX 719  Aeromedical Studies for Nurses and Paramedics; and

  • AVMX 720  Clinical Analysis in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport is available through Distance Learning.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Bioethics

Papers

  • BITX 401  Theories of Biomedical Ethics; and

  • Other 400-level BITX papers to a total value of 120 points.

    A candidate, with the approval of the Board of Graduate Studies in Health Sciences, may substitute alternative papers to the value of 30 points.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Bioethics is available through Distance Learning.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Clinical Research

Papers

  • BITX 406  Health Research Ethics; and

  • One of
    AVMX 785  Research Methods,
    GENX 821  Research Methods,
    HASX 417  Health Sciences Research Methods,
    HEIX 706  Research Methods for Health Informatics,
    NURX 415  Nursing Research Methods,
    PHCX 506  Research Methods,
    PHTY 510, or PHTX 510  Research Methods,
    or other approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points; and

  • HEIX 708  Health Data Management

  • Approved papers to the value of 60 points from:
    BITX 407  Advanced Health Research Ethics,
    HASC 411  Research Design and Evaluation,
    HASC 413  Biostatistics,
    HASC 415  Regression Methods: Health Science Applications,
    HASC 780, or HASX 780  Research Project, or other approved Research Project,
    HEIX 702  Principles of Health Informatics,
    HEIX 703  Health Information Systems,
    PUBH 721  Advanced Epidemiology.

    Note: alternative papers to the value of 30 points may be substituted with the approval of the Board of Graduate Studies in Health Sciences.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy

Papers

  • COBE 401  Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy; and

  • COBX 404  Advanced Topics in Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy.

    Substitution for COBE 401 may be granted if papers to the value of 60 points of equivalent content and level have been completed.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Gerontology

Papers

  • HASX 404  Health Care of the Elderly, or NURX 426  Nursing - Gerontology; and

  • HASX 409  Social Care of the Elderly; and 

  • Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points; and

  • One other approved paper.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Gerontology is available through Distance Learning.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Hazard Assessment and Management

Papers

  • Papers worth 120 points from
    HAZX 401  Management of Chemical Hazards,
    HAZX 402  Biosecurity (this paper is no longer offered),
    HAZX 403  Genetically Modified Organisms (this paper is no longer offered),
    HAZX 404  Environmental Risk Assessment and Management,
    HAZX 405  Basic Toxicology,
    HAZX 406  Risk Management Law 1,
    HAZX 408  Radiation Hazards,
    HAZX 409  New Organisms: Risk Assessment and Management,
    HAZX 411 (this paper is no longer offered),
    OCCX 401  Occupational Health,
    OCCX 402  Occupational Safety.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Hazard Assessment and Management is available through Distance Learning.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Human Nutrition

Papers

  • NUTX 401 Principles of Human Nutrition; and

  • Two of
    NUTX 402 Nutrition and Health Promotion,
    NUTX 404 Nutrition and Chronic Disease,
    NUTX 407 Advanced Sports Nutrition; and

  • Further approved papers to the value of 30 points.

Further information regarding the PGDipHealSc endorsed in Human Nutrition is available from the Department of Human Nutrition website.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Papers

  • PSMX 427  Interpersonal Psychotherapy; and

  • Two other approved papers to the value of 60 points, including at least one of PSMX 425 Introduction to Interpersonal Psychotherapy, or PSMX 426 Advanced Applications of Interpersonal Psychotherapy.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Interpersonal Psychotherapy is available through Distance Learning.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Mental Health

Papers

  • Three approved papers to the value of 90 points from
    400-level PSME or PSMX papers,
    NURX 403  Mental Health Nursing Pratice,
    NURX 404  Advanced Mental Health Nursing Practice; and

  • Other approved paper(s) to the value of 30 points.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Mental Health is available through Distance Learning.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Musculoskeletal Management

Papers

  • MSMX 704  Introduction to Pain; and

  • MSMX 707  Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation; and

  • MSMX 708  Introduction to Pain Management; and

  • Other approved papers to the value of 75 points.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Nursing

Papers

  • Two approved papers in Nursing; and

  • Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points; and

  • Other approved paper(s) to the value of 30 points.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Nursing is available through Distance Learning.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Nursing (Primary Health Care)

Papers

  • NURX 405  Health Assessment and Advanced Nursing Practice; and

  • NURX 413  Primary Health Care Nursing - Rural/Urban; and

  • Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points; and

  • Other approved paper(s) to the value of 30 points.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Nursing (Primary Health Care) is available through Distance Learning.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Occupational Health

Papers

  • OCCX 401  Occupational Health; and

  • OCCX 402  Occupational Safety; and 

  • An approved research methods paper to the value of 30 points; and

  • One other approved paper.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Occupational Health is available through Distance Learning.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Pain and Pain Management

Papers

  • MSMX 704  Introduction to Pain; and

  • MSMX 708  Introduction to Pain Management; and

  • MSMX 711  Pain Assessment; and

  • PAIX 701  Neurobiology of Pain; and 

  • PAIX 702  Biomedical Pain Management; and 

  • PAIX 703  Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects of Pain; and

  • Further approved paper(s) to the value of 30 points.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Resuscitation

Papers

  • RESX 701; and

  • RESX 702; and

  • RESX 703; and

  • RESX 706; and

  • RESX 707; and

  • RESX 785.

Note: these papers are no longer offered.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Resuscitation is available through Distance Learning.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Rural Nursing

Papers

  • NURX 405  Health Assessment and Advanced Nursing Practice; and

  • NURX 416  Nursing - Applied Pharmacology; and

  • NURX 431  Rural Nursing; and

  • An approved research methods paper to the value of 30 points at 400-level or above.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Rural Nursing is available through Distance Learning.

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Regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc)

  1. Admission to the Programme

    1. Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
    2. Every applicant shall
      1. be a graduate or possess an appropriate health professional qualification requiring at least three years' full-time tertiary study;
      2. if enrolling for an endorsed diploma, have experience of or be currently working in the relevant field of health care;
      3. present evidence of ability for advanced level academic study.

  2. Structure of the Programme

    1. The programme of study shall consist of approved papers, to the value of 120 points, which must be as specified in the schedule of endorsed options if the diploma is to be endorsed in an area of specialisation.
    2. With prior approval, up to two 400-level papers in a relevant or related subject offered by another university or tertiary institution may be credited to the diploma.
    3. The papers shall constitute a coherent and integrated programme of study in the Health Sciences discipline.
    4. A candidate who has completed the requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences shall be exempted from those papers in the programme for the diploma which have been previously passed for the certificate.

    Note: Students should normally enrol initially for the Postgraduate Certificate programme before proceeding to the diploma.

  3. Duration of the Programme

    1. A candidate for the diploma shall normally follow a programme of study for not less than one year of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study.
    2. A full-time candidate shall complete the requirements for the diploma within two years of admission to the programme and a part-time candidate shall complete the requirements within four years.

  4. Level of Award of the Diploma

    The diploma may be awarded with distinction or with credit.

  5. Variations

    The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.

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