Course details

Summary

In general, this qualification is intended for health professionals who have completed three years of tertiary study and already have experience in the field. The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) may be taken either as a generic qualification or, more usually, with an endorsement in a specific area of specialization.

The endorsement in Pain and Pain Management is open to medical practitioners and allied health care professionals and can be studied part-time.

It is designed to present an understanding of the importance of pain to the individual and to society, and how best to optimise its management. It provides candidates with the necessary skills to better understand and manage pain problems that pertain to their particular discipline within health care.

Papers

• MSME 704 Introduction to Pain
• MSME 708 Introduction to Pain Management
• PAIN 701 Neurobiology of Pain
• PAIN 702 Biomedical Pain Management
• PAIN 703 Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects of Pain
• Further approved paper(s) to the value of 45 points

Structure of the Programme

• The programme of study shall consist of approved papers, to the value of 120 points, which must be as specified in the schedule of endorsed options if the diploma is to be endorsed in an area of specialisation.
• With prior approval, up to two 400-level papers in a relevant or related subject offered by another university or tertiary institution may be credited to the diploma.
• The papers shall constitute a coherent and integrated programme of study in the Health Sciences discipline.

Entry criteria

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
Every applicant shall

• be a graduate or possess an appropriate health professional qualification requiring at least three years' full-time tertiary study;
• if enrolling for an endorsed diploma, have experience of or be currently working in the relevant field of health care;
• present evidence of ability for advanced level academic study.

English Language Requirements: IELTS - Score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 95 with a minimum writing score of 22.; Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 587 (TWE 4.5); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57; University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd: Completion of 'English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes' with a grade of C or higher.