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Planning your Studies

The Discipline of Nursing offers a wide range of postgraduate programs for registered nurses who are committed to the development of nursing practice. Three major streams of postgraduate study are designed to offer a series of articulated PostGraduate Certificates, PostGraduate Diplomas and Doctor of Nursing degrees which are intended to assist nurses in their career progression.

The professional practice stream focuses on professional studies in nursing and the design and conduct of planned practice change and rigorous clinical research.

Graduate Certificates in Nursing Science are designed to prepare specialist practitioners, who are experienced in practice.Studies are at the postgraduate level and include planned clinical training.

Graduate Diplomas in Nursing Science are designed to prepare advanced practitioners in the major specialties.Studies are at the first year Masters degree level and include extensive clinical training and advanced university classroom and laboratory studies.Graduates are eligible to enter Stage 2 of the Master of Nursing Science degree.

The Master of Nursing Science program focuses on developing nursing practice through leadership,research and creativity

The Doctor of Nursing program offers opportunities for students to study nursing practice at the doctoral level through a combination of tutorial based coursework, conducted by leading scholars in nursing (both national and international), health care planning and health policy,creative practice and the conduct of original clinical research.

The scholarly stream focuses on traditional university research training at the Masters and PhD levels.

The Master of Clinical Science program aims to train students in research methodology and techniques and in the critical evaluation of the research work carried out.Students are also required to apply and evaluate their methodologies and techniques.The thesis is examined by at least two examiners,one of whom must be external to the University.Candidates who have satisfactorily completed the first year of the degree may be considered for an upgrade or transfer to the PhD,subject to approval by the Board of Graduate Studies.

The Doctor of Philosophy program is a University wide award and is a research degree for which a thesis is presented embodying the results of original investigation.The thesis,and any other materials submitted,is assessed by examiners external to the University (in many cases,outside Australia), and must display original and critical thought,be a significant contribution to knowledge and relate the research topic to the broader framework of the discipline within which it falls.