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, or equivalent. There is one core paper (REHB701 Rehabilitation Principles) and students can choose other rehabilitation 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
REHB701 Rehabilitation Principles (Semester 1) - Core paper
REHB703 Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation (Semester 1, offered alternate years)
REHB704 Neurological Rehabilitation (Semester 1, offered alternate years)
REHB706 Work Rehabilitation (Semester 2)
REHB707 Rehabilitation for older adults (Semester 1)
REHB714 Personal and Psychological Factors in Rehabilitation (Semester 2)
HASC701 Working in Interprofessional Clinical Teams (Semester 2)
For further information, please contact:
The Programme administrator
Email rtru@otago.ac.nz