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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.
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
As per standard advanced standing rules as outlined in the Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 – Coursework Awards – General Provisions (Section 4 Advanced Standing).
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
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.5 |
| Listening | minimum 6.0 |
| Speaking | minimum 6.0 |
| Reading | minimum 6.0 |
| Writing | minimum 6.0 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Online | Term 1, Term 3 |
International students
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Term 1, Term 3 | $31,920 ($3,990 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. | |||
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
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)
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HLTH5006 | Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine I: Foundations | ||||
| HLTH5007 | Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 2: Clinical Processes | ||||
| HLTH6003 | Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 3: Planning and Management | ||||
| HLTH6004 | Psychological & Environmental Influences on Health | ||||
| HLTH6005 | Self-management and Chronic Disease | ||||
| HLTH6002 | Metabolic Health and Management | ||||
| HLTH6007 | Health Research Project A | ||||
| HLTH6008 | Health Research Project B | ||||
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
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. |
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.
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.
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.
Graduates of the Master of Lifestyle Medicine will be eligible to apply for Fellowship with the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLM).
Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.
Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.
Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.