Overview
The Master of Health Science endorsed in Rehabilitation programme is an option for students who wish to pursue study at a higher academic level. Students completing the MHealSc (Rehabilitation) will not only demonstrate evidence of their ability to complete high level academic study, but also possession of research skills to an internationally recognised standard. The main objective of doing a research project at master's level is to demonstrate that you can tackle research in an appropriate way, collect and manage data, interpret your findings and carry out constructive criticism. While not a requirement, many of our students' research projects end up being published in major international journals.
Structure
Our research supervisors will use principally emails, videoconferences and face-to-face contact. Students are also strongly encouraged to attend two research students seminars (once per semester) in Wellington.
The MHealSc (Rehabilitation) includes a taught component and a research component, a total value of 240 points. There are 2 options:
- 120 points of taught papers and a 120-point thesis
- 180 points of taught papers (including 30 points of research methods) plus a 60-point dissertation
To receive the endorsement in rehabilitation you would normally be expected to complete a minimum of three rehabilitation papers, one of them must be REHB701. Most MHealSc(Rehabilitation) candidates complete the PGDipRehab first. There are some instances where, with the approval of the Board of Graduate Studies for Health Sciences, a Master's candidate can substitute up to two alternative papers for the required rehabilitation papers. It is best to discuss individual cases with the master’s coordinator, Fi Graham.
With regard to the research component of the degree, the University has indicated some guidelines about the amount of work / time required for both thesis and dissertation.
Study opportunities after the MHealSc (Rehabilitation)
A completed master's degree indicates you have strong research skills, a comprehensive understanding of the four core themes of the RTRU (the person in context, interdisciplinary rehabilitation, ICF as a conceptual framework, and rehabilitation process and outcome) and model excellence in evidence-based rehabilitation. With a completed master's degree, you may also continue on to a PhD. If this is your intention, we recommend the master's thesis pathway.
To apply
More information and to begin the enrolment process
Contact
For further information, please contact the master’s coordinator, Fi Graham at fi.graham@otago.ac.nz or the Programme Administrator at rtru@otago.ac.nz.
