Program Overview

Master of Health Science

The Master of Health Science programme is designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced clinical practice and develop leadership potential in nurses and other health professionals.

Programme Details

• Points and Duration: 240 points, 2 years
• Locations: Hamilton
• Area of Study: Division of Health
• Start Dates: Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)

Why Study the Master of Health Science?

Students can choose study in several specialty areas, including mental health, primary, community and rural healthcare, acute care, Māori health, older person health, and rehabilitation. They also have flexibility to choose papers aligned to other areas of interest.

Programme Structure

To complete a Master of Health Science, students must complete 240 points at 500 level, including one of:

• HLTSC592: Health Science Dissertation (60pt)
• HLTSC593: Health Science Thesis (90pt)
• HLTSC594: Health Science Thesis (120pt)

Nurse Practitioner Pathway

Students undertaking the Nurse Practitioner pathway are not required to complete a dissertation or thesis and should instead complete specific papers.

Entry Requirements

To enrol in the Master of Health Science, students should have completed a Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent) and have achieved a B average across their final year of study.

Fees and Scholarships

• Estimated Fees: $8,569 - $10,441 per year
• Domestic Tuition Fees: Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
• Scholarships: Available, with details found through the Scholarship Finder.

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Critically discuss the place of research in generating knowledge for clinical practice and service development
• Articulate the relationship between health problems, research questions, and research methods
• Engage with research issues and service development for Māori, Pacific, and other indigenous communities
• Articulate the implications of the research study for health equity
• Write a structured research report that follows the steps of the research process

Research Areas

The programme encompasses various research areas, including but not limited to:

• Health Science
• Nursing
• Māori Health
• Pacific Health
• Older Person Health
• Rehabilitation

Additional Information

For further details, please refer to the Health Sciences entry in the Subject Regulations. The University of Waikato offers a range of support services and facilities to enhance the student experience.