Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation (PGDipRehab)
What does it involve?
The Diploma is a one-year full-time-equivalent postgraduate course, although most often it is completed by people studying part-time over two years. The course needs to be completed within a maximum of four years. The Diploma combines an interdisciplinary learning model with clinical and research expertise, making this course unique.
Who is it intended for?
The course is intended for people from a wide range of professional backgrounds who are:
- Involved in rehabilitation or wishing to address rehabilitation issues
- Wanting to develop a questioning approach to their practice
- Wanting to work towards a recognised academic qualification
Previous students have included nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists, social workers, psychologists, mental health professionals and support workers, doctors, case managers, health service managers, exercise specialists and vocational counsellors.
Previous students have come from a range of backgrounds including hospitals, community services, rehabilitation clinics, vocational or work-site rehabilitation practices, general practices, private hospitals or rest homes, supported housing for mental health consumers, ACC case management, government departments or insurance companies and private practice.
The course regulations for the Diploma in Rehabilitation are set out in the annual University of Otago Calendar. Students are required to have a tertiary degree or equivalent qualification to undertake this course. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the required conditions for admission please contact the programme administrator rtru@otago.ac.nz
What is the course content?
Students undertaking the Diploma are required to complete four 30-point papers. There are two core papers (REHX701 Rehabilitation Principles and REHX712 Evaluating Rehabilitation) but students are able to choose the other two papers according to their specific areas of interest. There is a broad range of optional papers to meet student demand and to allow, where possible, for links with other postgraduate courses. You may also substitute papers from other programmes if they meet the academic level and content required by the Board of Studies. It is necessary to have any substitution of papers approved by the Board of Studies. If you think you might wish to do this then please contact us in good time so we can discuss your programme of study.
Each paper requires about ten to twelve hours work each week per academic semester. Thus the Diploma is usually gained over a two-year period. Individual papers may also be undertaken as a "stand alone" option for enhancing your professional profile - this is called completing a Certificate of Proficiency.
Further information on specific papers
REHX701 Rehabilitation Principles (Semester One) - Core paper
REHX703 Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation (Semester One, offered alternate years)
REHX704 Neurological Rehabilitation (Semester One, offered alternate years)
REHX706 Work Rehabilitation (Semester Two)
REHX707 Rehabilitation for older adults (Offered alternate years, next in 2013)
REHX709 Family Systems and Rehabilitation (Semester One)
REHX712 Evaluating Rehabilitation (Semester Two) - Core paper for PGDipRehab only
REHX713 Goal Setting and the Therapeutic Relationship (Offered alternate years, next in 2013)
REHX714 Personal and Psychological Factors in Rehabilitation (Semester Two)
REHX715 Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (Offered alternate years, next in 2013)
REHX780 Research Project (no fixed Semester)
For further information please email the Programme administrator rtru@otago.ac.nz