Who are these programmes intended for?
These programmes are for allied health professionals involved in the care, management and rehabilitation of patients with musculoskeletal and pain problems, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, podiatrists, chiropractors and osteopaths.
How long will it take?
The postgraduate certificate is usually completed in one to two years of part-time study.
The postgraduate diploma may be completed in two years of part-time study. Candidates have four years to complete the requirements of the qualification.
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Musculoskeletal Management
Total points for the programme is 60 points. This includes two compulsory papers totalling 30 points plus two further approved papers totalling 30 points.
Requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc)
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Musculoskeletal Management
Total points for the programme is 120. This includes three compulsory papers totalling 45 points, plus five further approved papers to the value of 75 points.
Students hoping to advance to the master's programme are advised to include relevant research methods papers to the value of 30 points in their postgraduate diploma programme.
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc)
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Musculoskeletal Management
The Master of Health Sciences degree allows study at a postgraduate level across a range of health disciplines, and research experience in the student's area of specialisation. There are two options available to those undertaking a Master of Health Sciences endorsed in Musculoskeletal Management; the coursework pathway or a research pathway (thesis).
Normally before embarking upon study within the Master of Health Sciences programme, candidates are first required to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) and achieve an overall B grade average.
Admission to the master's programme also requires candidates to have completed 30 points of research methods papers at NZQF Level 8 with a grade (or average grade if more than one paper is used to complete the 30 points) of B+ or better.
The total points for the Master of Health Sciences is 240.
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc)
What do our recent students say?
“I chose to study for an MHealSc to upskill as a physiotherapist. The variety of postgraduate papers on offer at Otago has allowed me to build a course that works for me, and meant that I could do a rehabilitation paper that meets ACC requirements for vocational work, as well as pain papers and sports medicine papers. The flexibility of Otago's postgraduate study is great. I can study in my own time and it's easy to fit evening lectures around work and other commitments.”
— Kimberley Bond
Physiotherapist Studying for a Master of Health Sciences (Musculoskeletal Management)
