Program Overview

---

Master of Rural Generalist Practice

Overview

Advance your clinical and research expertise within rural and remote communities. Cultivate strong leadership skills, with a focus on developing and evaluating health service delivery to enable high-quality patient care in low-resourced communities. Emerge with a degree that is flexible and applicable to a rural generalist in your health discipline.

Fast Facts

• Location: JCU campuses or study centres where you can study this course. 'Online' means the course can be studied off-campus using a combination of online resources, printed material or other technologies. Some online courses include on-campus workshops and travel for professional placements.
  • Online
• Townsville

This course may require some on-campus attendance

• Commencing: The month(s) you can start the course. For courses offered at JCU Singapore and JCU Brisbane, see 'How to Apply'.
  • Online: February, July
• Fees: Indicative, annual cost of your course. Some courses are supported by the Australian Government with the government paying some of your fees. This is the Commonwealth Supported fee. The tuition fee is the fee payable if Commonwealth Support does not apply. You can defer your fees if eligible with HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP. The Student Services & Amenities Fee is a required payment from most students.
  • $9,280.00+ (estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load)
  • $30,750.00^ (estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load)

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible

Currently displaying fees for 2025, which are subject to change in following years.

• Duration: The time it will take you to complete the course as a full-time student. Also specifies if the course is available part-time. This section will indicate if some online courses may have a longer duration due to their different delivery method.
  • 1.5 years full-time
• Entry Requirements: This is usually a score given to Year 12 students upon completion of their studies. Non-school leavers can have their qualifications and work experience assessed to obtain an equivalent score. The score displayed is the minimum adjusted ATAR/rank that was required for entry. Some subjects are required for entry into a course. Whereas assumed knowledge indicates a minimum level of knowledge
  • AQF level 7 or AQF level 8 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline, completed more than 2 years prior to admission.

Course Detail

What to Expect

Learn how to best utilise your full scope of practice in rural, regional and remote locations. This degree will prepare you to better meet the needs of your communities with this industry-developed specialist course.

The Master of Rural Generalist Practice will equip you to demonstrate clinical leadership across your chosen specialisation and contribute to combating the challenges of practice in rural settings. Undertake a range of subjects that allow you to deliver rural and remote health services effectively and confidently in low-resource settings.

Begin by examining the unique opportunities and contexts that come with practice in rural and remote areas. You will develop an understanding of teaching for learning, enabling you to both lead and share your knowledge with peers and the wider community.

Hone your research skills with an advanced look at data and resources relevant to the health profession, with an understanding on how best to incorporate research into everyday practice. You will learn to evaluate and utilise current and evolving evidence, including biostatistics and other health data, to develop innovative solutions for complex local health and community services challenges.

Study your way by learning online, empowering you to access expert lecturers and learning resources with minimal need to leave your community. Examine real-world issues as well as solutions that can be designed, developed and implemented in your own community’s context to further health and wellbeing.

For entry to this course, you must have achieved a health-related bachelor’s degree and have at least two years’ professional experience in one of the following Allied Health practice fields: Nutrition/Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Psychology, Radiography, Social Work or Speech Pathology.

Career Opportunities

JCU’s Master of Rural Generalist Practice provides Allied Health professionals with a pathway for advancing their academic and clinical expertise in a wide range of community and clinical settings.

As a JCU graduate, you will emerge equipped with specialist, sought-after skills that allow you to work and lead effectively in rural and remote communities.

Graduates advance their careers as nutritionists/dieticians, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists, radiographers, social workers and speech pathologists, among other roles.

Handbook

Visit the JCU Course and Subject Handbook.

Fees and Scholarships

Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD9,280.00 Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD30,750.00

A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.

Pathways to JCU

JCU offers multiple Pathways to University. If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, consider exploring our available Pathways options.

Contact our friendly team today to discover which pathway is right for you.

How to Apply

Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.

Real Stories

• Alumni: Andric Lu, Graduate Diploma of Rural Generalist Practice I studied a Graduate Diploma of Rural Generalist Practice through JCU, which allowed me to advance my clinical skills and develop leadership styles. Currently, I am developing a workplace-based project to improve access and service delivery through an inpatient telehealth Physiotherapy model of care.
• Alumni: Emma Rewald, Graduate Diploma of Rural Generalist Practice I chose to study a Graduate Diploma of Rural Generalist Practice at JCU as I saw it as an excellent opportunity to develop my clinical and non-clinical capabilities. JCU’s online learning allowed me to progress through the course content in my own time, juggling commitments with working fulltime.
• Lecturer: Dr Anne Jones, Course Coordinator, Graduate Diploma of Rural Generalist Practice It can be difficult to access ongoing training and support when you work and live outside the major centres so this program is fully online. Allied Health Rural Generalist training is practical, work integrated development relevant to the needs of rural and remote communities.
• Employer: Helen Weisemann, Midwifery Unit Manager, Mater Health Services NQ I hire JCU graduates because they’re very resilient and resourceful, and they understand the requirements of working in rural and remote environments. They’re real assets to the team.