Program Overview

Postgraduate Diploma of Health Science

The Postgraduate Diploma of Health Science is a one-year program that provides a pathway into advanced clinical practice or leadership and management roles. The program is offered at the Hamilton campus and can be taken part-time or full-time.

Points and Duration

• The total number of points required to gain this qualification is 120.
• The expected duration of the program is one year.

Locations

• The program is offered at the Hamilton campus.

Area of Study

• The program is offered under the Division of Health.

Start Dates

• The program can be started in Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July).

Why Study the Postgraduate Diploma of Health Science?

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences provides a specific focus on equity in health care for Māori, Pacific, mental health, and addiction, primary and community health. The program combines Waikato's high academic standards with real healthcare settings, making it unique and customizable. The program has been developed to allow health professionals to better meet the needs of the people in the Midlands region.

Papers Offered

• The program offers papers that provide a specific focus on equity in health care for Māori, Pacific, mental health, and addiction, primary and community health.

Degree Information

Plan Your Study

• The program requires students to complete 120 points at the 500 level.
• Students must complete at least 90 points from 500-level Health Sciences papers.
• Students can complete up to 30 points from 500-level Elective papers.

Registered Nurse Prescriber Pathway

• The Registered Nurse Prescriber pathway requires students to complete the following papers:
  • HLTSC501 Health Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making for Registered Nurses
  • HLTSC502 Applied Science
  • HLTSC507 Pharmacological Therapy
  • HLTSC508 Registered Nurse Prescribing Practicum

Subjects

• Students can choose from a range of subjects, including Health Science and Nursing.

Fees and Scholarships

• Domestic tuition fees are approximate and may change.
• Scholarships are available, and students can visit the Scholarship finder for more information.

Graduate Outcomes

• Students undertaking the PGDipHSc will align their academic development with specialist roles, with a focus on advanced clinical reasoning, critical thinking, and specialist clinical skills.
• On completion of the program, graduates will be able to interpret demographic information relating to health needs of the population within their practice area, review and critique empirical examples of health research using routine health data, and outline an advanced practice role including the components of advanced practice role, assessment and clinical decision making, evidence for practice, and clinical leadership.

Pathways

• There are several pathways available, including:
  • Clinical Pathway
  • Education Pathway
  • Gerontology pathway
  • Leadership and Health Management pathway
  • Māori, Pacific and Indigenous pathway
  • Mental Health pathway
  • Primary Care pathway
  • Registered Nurse Prescriber pathway

Registered Nurse Prescriber Pathway

• The Registered Nurse Prescriber pathway requires students to complete the following papers:
  • HLTSC501 Health Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making for Registered Nurses
  • HLTSC502 Applied Science
  • HLTSC507 Pharmacological Therapy
  • HLTSC508 Registered Nurse Prescribing Practicum

Graduate Study Options

• Master of Health Science (2 years, Hamilton)
• Doctor of Health Science (Hamilton)
• Doctor of Philosophy (3 years, Hamilton, Tauranga)