Graduate Diploma/Certificate in Adolescent Health and Welfare

Page content : 1. Course overview | 2. Course structure | 3. Fees | 4. Scholarships | 5. How to apply | 6. Key contact

Course overview

Of all the age groups in Australia, young people are the only group whose health has not improved over the past three decades. The Centre for Adolescent Health recognises that a key way to improve young people's health and wellbeing is to enhance the capabilities of practitioners who work with young people.

The Graduate Diploma/Certificate is offered by the Centre for Adolescent Health through the Department of Paediatrics. This relationship creates a unique opportunity for students to engage in an academic program, for which they receive a qualification and to be involved with the Centre, which is at the forefront of responses to adolescent health and wellbeing issues.

The course is offered in flexible learning mode and is specifically designed to meet the professional development needs, goals and interests of participants who work with young people in different disciplines and community service settings. The course also provides an attractive pathway for graduates interested in working with young people in an adolescent health and welfare related field.

This course offers a multi-disciplinary forum where you can:

• share knowledge and build professional learning networks
• address the importance of the developmental, social and environmental contexts that impact on young people's lives and gain critical insight into the underlying causes of adolescent health problems
• build a repertoire of professional capabilities for implementing effective programs and practices in the settings where young people live, work, learn and play and in the health care settings where young people are likely to be seen
• experience broad and inclusive content that links theory with practice
• engage with recognised experts in adolescent health research and practice
• study areas of particular interest to you

You will be encouraged to explore a range of theoretical, policy, research and practice perspectives and to use these insights to develop enhanced prevention and intervention strategies when working with young people, families, communities and other agencies.

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Course structure

The program is offered in flexible learning mode to meet the needs of students located in metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Australia. Most subjects combine distance learning with opportunities for group learning and interaction through 'optional' on-campus subject tutorials, informal learning group meetings/online discussion forums and/or seminars with course lecturers. The timing and focus of 'optional' on-campus subject tutorials will be negotiated with students and will be held 2-4 times per semester.

The program provides a supportive learning environment that encourages interaction, mentoring support and professional networking. All students are required to attend a two day residential workshop program prior to the commencement of each year of their course (ie. one per year for part-time students). Full-time students may be required to attend two residential programs per year. The residential program is designed to introduce key adolescent health themes and flexible learning requirements and to create opportunities for students to interact with other students and the course team. Residential workshops are held in February/March and July, depending on when you enrol - refer to application pack for details of dates.

• Depending on student interest, workshops may be convened in different states/rural areas to help offset student travel costs
• Students enrolled in subjects that include online learning requirements will participate in practical 'getting started with online learning' workshops as part of the on-campus residential workshop program
• Depending on student numbers, some elective subjects may be offered in on campus 'block' mode

The learning and assessment approaches aim to encourage active learning and application of new adolescent health knowledge and skills in 'real world' settings, relevant to your professional practice.

• You can enrol in the course part-time or full-time
• The Graduate Diploma is one year full-time or two years part-time
• The Graduate Certificate is one year part-time
• Course work and independent learning will take approximately 5-10 hours per week, per subject (part-time) and 10-20 hours per week, per subject (full-time)

The Graduate Certificate course requires successful completion of the following four core subjects:

The Graduate Diploma requires successful completion of the four core subjects listed in the table above and four elective subjects from a choice of the six electives listed in the table below.

Please vist the Centre for Adolescent Health website for detailed subject information.

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Fees

Please contact Merran Guest (see Key contact) for information about fees.

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Scholarships

We understand that many of you are enthusiastic to advance your knowledge in the area of adolescent health, but are restricted financially. Following are some funding options for you to explore.

Rotary

We have established a strong relationship with a number of Victorian Rotary Clubs, whereby clubs support students with partial scholarships (up to 50%) to complete our course. The criteria for scholarships from Rotary Clubs varies from club to club, however overall, clubs support students who are committed to working with young people and who require financial assistance to undertake the course. They are available to students across Australia.

To apply for a Rotary Scholarship, applicants are required to submit:

• The application form for the Graduate Diploma/Certificate in Adolescent Health and Welfare by the due date
• A letter outlining your work with young people and your need for financial assistance (general information only)

An interview may also be required. If successful you may also be required to speak about your work to the supporting Rotary Club at one of their meetings.

Grosvenor Settlement Trust

There are scholarships available for new applicants who live in rural or remote areas of Australia and who work with young people. These scholarships are up to 50%. A letter attached to your application form outlining your work with young people and your geographical location would be required to apply. An interview may also be required (this
could be by phone).

Silk Miller Scholarship

The Rotary Club Central Melbourne Sunrise, the Victorian Police and the Centre for Adolescent Health offer a partial scholarship to a current member of the Victorian Police in memory of Rod Miller and Gary Silk. The scholarship is available for the March intake only. For further information on the Silk Miller Scholarship, contact Senior Constable Lynne Allan on +61 3 9247 5282 or email lynne.allan@police.vic.gov.au

Mary-Ann Hope scholarship

The Department of Human Services and Centre for Adolescent Health offer partial scholarships to Victorian Secondary School Nurses both in rural and metropolitan areas. Nurses must have been in the position for over 12 months. For further information on Mary-Ann Hope scholarships please contact us.

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How to apply

Prerequisites

• A degree in education, teaching, youth work, health science, health/welfare-related disciplines or sociology
• Limited places are available for those without tertiary qualifications but with significant relevant work experience

• Applicants without a tertiary degree are required to complete a 1500 word entry essay as part of their application (this can be negotiated)

Australian and New Zealand applicants

Applications close on the last Friday in November for commencement in late February the following year.

Application form for Australian and New Zealand applicants [PDF 43K]

International applicants

Please visit the University of Melbourne Future students website.

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Key contact

Merran Guest
Manager Education Programs
Centre for Adolescent Health

tel: +61 3 9345 6671
fax: +61 3 9345 6273
email: merran.guest@rch.org.au

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