Master of Lifestyle Medicine

2023 course information for Domestic Students
2023 course information for International Students

updated 6:11 AM on Thu, 27 April

Domestic snapshot

International snapshot

IELTS
View full English language requirements
Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Location
Online
Online
Start date
March, July
February, June
Course code
1209300
Course abbreviation
MLifestyleMed
Credit points
96
Equivalent units
8
CRICOS
View in availability and fee details
Fees
Commonwealth supported
Fees
View in availability and fee details

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Course overview

A large percentage of chronic disease risk can be attributed to lifestyle behaviours. However, assisting individuals to modify their lifestyle remains an ongoing challenge for many health practitioners.

The Master of Lifestyle Medicine is designed for health practitioners working in general medicine, allied health, nursing or other health disciplines who wish to develop skills and knowledge in the specialised field of lifestyle medicine. The course assists practitioners to more confidently prescribe lifestyle interventions and facilitate behaviour change in order to support the prevention and management of chronic disease and to improve patient outcomes.

The Master of Lifestyle Medicine is taught by leaders in the field and uses an evidence-based approach to examine the principles and practices of lifestyle medicine, including determinants of health, clinical processes and models of care, and strategies and interventions for preventing and managing disease. A capstone research project also enables students to investigate an area of interest in depth.

This course is part of Southern Cross University’s suite of health degrees that take an interdisciplinary and patient-centred approach to healthcare. 

A large percentage of chronic disease risk can be attributed to lifestyle behaviours. However, assisting individuals to modify their lifestyle remains an ongoing challenge for many health practitioners.

The Master of Lifestyle Medicine is designed for health practitioners working in general medicine, allied health, nursing or other health disciplines who wish to develop skills and knowledge in the specialised field of lifestyle medicine. The course assists practitioners to more confidently prescribe lifestyle interventions and facilitate behaviour change in order to support the prevention and management of chronic disease and to improve patient outcomes.

The Master of Lifestyle Medicine is taught by leaders in the field and uses an evidence-based approach to examine the principles and practices of lifestyle medicine, including determinants of health, clinical processes and models of care, and strategies and interventions for preventing and managing disease. A capstone research project also enables students to investigate an area of interest in depth.

This course is part of Southern Cross University’s suite of health degrees that take an interdisciplinary and patient-centred approach to healthcare. 

Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.

Entry requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

A Bachelor degree in a health discipline, and two years of documented relevant professional experience

Credit for prior learning

As per standard advanced standing rules as outlined in the Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 – Coursework Awards – General Provisions (Section 4 Advanced Standing).

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.5
Listeningminimum 6.0
Speakingminimum 6.0
Readingminimum 6.0
Writingminimum 6.0

About the course

Core units include: principles and practice of lifestyle medicine – foundations, clinical processes, planning and management; psychological and environmental influences on health; self-management and chronic disease; and metabolic health and management. Students are also required to complete a major health research project.

Domestic students

Location Teaching period
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3

International students

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3$30,400 ($3,800 per unit)N/A

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

How to apply

Where and when do you want to study?

Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.

Australian/Domestic students

Online
Term 3 July 2023

International students studying online or outside of Australia

Online
Term 3 June 2023
View domestic application details View international application details

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Master of Lifestyle Medicine, students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:

- 8 core units (96 credit points)


Course structure


Schedule of units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
HLTH5006Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine I: Foundations
HLTH5007Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 2: Clinical Processes
HLTH6003Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 3: Planning and Management
HLTH6004Psychological & Environmental Influences on Health
HLTH6005Self-management and Chronic Disease
HLTH6002Metabolic Health and Management
NATM6003Health Research Project A
NATM6004Health Research Project B


Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

HLTH5006Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine I: Foundations
Term1,3
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1,3
Term3
Enrolment informationTo participate in this online unit, students must have access to a computer and the internet.
HLTH5007Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 2: Clinical Processes
Term2,4
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2,4
Term4
Pre-requisitesHLTH5006 - Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine I: Foundations
Enrolment informationTo participate in this online unit, students must have access to a computer and the internet.
HLTH6003Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 3: Planning and Management
Term3,5
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3,5
Term5
Pre-requisitesHLTH5006 - Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine I: Foundations AND HLTH5007 - Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 2: Clinical Processes
Enrolment informationTo participate in this online unit, students must have access to a computer and the internet.
HLTH6004Psychological & Environmental Influences on Health
Term4
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisitesNil
Co-requisitesNil
Anti-requisitesNil
Enrolment informationTo participate in this online unit, students must have access to a computer and the internet.
Enrolment restrictionsNil
HLTH6005Self-management and Chronic Disease
Term5
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term5
Term5
Pre-requisitesNil
Co-requisitesNil
Anti-requisitesNil
Enrolment informationTo participate in this online unit, students must have access to a computer and the internet.
Enrolment restrictionsNil
HLTH6002Metabolic Health and Management
Summer Term
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Summer Term
Summer Term
Enrolment informationTo participate in this online unit, students must have access to a computer and the internet. Prior knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and pathology is desirable.
NATM6003Health Research Project A
Term1,3
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
NATM6004Health Research Project B
Term2,4
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2,4
Term2
Pre-requisitesNATM6003 - Health Research Project A



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Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020

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5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies

Good Universities Guide 2021

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Course Learning Outcome

1. Apply an evidence-based clinical-decision making framework using appropriate evidence and critical thinking within contemporary lifestyle medicine practice.

2. Apply knowledge of research principles and methods to investigating and contributing to lifestyle medicine practice and scholarship.

3. Critically and creatively evaluate and respond to actual and potential health problems impacting individuals, families and communities.

4. Understand and function within applicable professional competencies, scopes of practice, codes of conduct, codes of ethics, laws and policies.

5. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and critical application of pertinent lifestyle medicine theories and frameworks in clinical and professional contexts.

6. Apply an integrated body of knowledge of, and be responsive to, local and global determinants of health across a range of populations in a safe and competent manner.

7. Critically reflect on current skills, knowledge, attitudes and practices to plan and implement ongoing personal and professional learning.

8. Apply autonomy, accountability, adaptability, professional advocacy, responsibility and leadership in lifestyle medicine across diverse teams and settings.

9. Demonstrate advanced verbal and written communication skills that drive appropriate patient and population outcomes in diverse settings.

10. Demonstrate an ability to advocate the socio-cultural preferences, needs and values of individuals and groups across diverse settings and within interdisciplinary teams.


Assessment methods

A variety of assessment methods are used in this course including essays, case studies, presentations, discussion forums, and literature reviews. Each unit comprises three assessment items.

Teaching methods

Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video material, online content, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

 

Career opportunities

This course enables clinicians to enhance their practice by developing knowledge and skills in the area of lifestyle medicine, with a view to aiding the prevention and management of chronic disease, and improving health outcomes.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the Master of Lifestyle Medicine will be eligible to apply for Fellowship with the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLM).

Ask a question

Domestic future
students

Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.

International future
students

Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.

Current
students

Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.

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