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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).

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

Division of Health Sciences website

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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

  • PSME 404 Addiction Assessment

  • Two of:
  • One other approved paper

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

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

Papers

  • AVME 717   Medical Logistics in Aeromedical Transport

  • AVME 718  Operational Aspects of Aeromedical Transport

  • AVME 719  Aeromedical Studies for Nurses and Paramedics

  • AVME 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.

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Bioethics

Papers

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.

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

Papers
  • COBE 401  Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
  • COBE 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.

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

Papers
  • NUTN 401 Principles of Human Nutrition
  • Two of:
  • 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.

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

Papers
  • PSME 427  Interpersonal Psychotherapy
  • Two other approved papers to the value of 60 points, including at least one of:
    • PSME 425 Introduction to Interpersonal Psychotherapy
    • PSME 426 Advanced Applications of Interpersonal Psychotherapy

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

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

Papers
  • Three approved papers to the value of 90 points from:
  • 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.

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

Papers
  • MSME 707  Musculoskeletal Management
  • PAIN 710  Introduction to Pain
  • PAIN 711  Introduction to Pain Management
  • Other approved papers to the value of 75 points

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Nursing

Papers

  • Two approved papers in Nursing

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

  • 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.

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

Papers
  • NURS 405  Health Assessment and Advanced Nursing Practice
  • NURS 413  Primary Health Care Nursing - Rural/Urban
  • Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points
  • 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.

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Obesity Prevention and Management

No new enrolments are being accepted for this endorsement for 2023.

Papers

GENA 737  Obesity Prevention and Management*

NUTN 404  Nutrition and Chronic Disease

SPME 711  Exercise Prescription

Further approved papers from the following lists to the value of at least 30 points, including at least one of OBPM 401-403:

*Candidates should complete GENA 737 before proceeding to the other paper.

Note: With the approval of the Programme Academic Co-ordinator, a Research Methods paper to the value of 30 points may be substituted by those planning to progress to MHealSc.

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

Papers
  • OCCH 401  Occupational Health
  • OCCH 402  Occupational Safety
  • An approved research methods paper to the value of 30 points
  • One other approved paper

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

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

Papers
  • PAIN 710  Introduction to Pain
  • PAIN 711  Introduction to Pain Management
  • PAIN 712  Pain Assessment
  • PAIN 713  Pain Neurobiology
  • PAIN 714  Biomedical Pain Management
  • PAIN 715  Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects of Pain
  • Further approved paper(s) to the value of 30 points

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

Papers
  • NURS 405  Health Assessment and Advanced Nursing Practice
  • NURS 416  Nursing - Applied Pharmacology
  • NURS 431  Rural Nursing
  • 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.

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 approval from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences), papers to the value of 60 points 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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