Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Science

The Graduate Diploma of Rehabilitation Science is a fully online graduate program that is designed to support students at different stages in their careers, including career starters and those with clinical experience seeking to improve their practice and gain further qualification.

The online delivery model allows this course to be structured to suit student study preferences and individual needs.

This Graduate Diploma program supports independent and collaborative learning and offers a strong cohort experience with both asynchronous and synchronous learning experiences.The emphasis in this course is on promoting contemporary best practice rehabilitation in multiple clinical and community contexts in both national and global settings.

This course builds on students’ knowledge and skills to identify and analyse the multiple determinants of health that influence wellbeing, and to design and implement rehabilitation strategies in a holistic, person-centred manner at both an individual and group level.Students will learn about the principles of rehabilitation and habilitation, the physiology of fitness and conditioning and the pathophysiology of selected conditions and specific needs in different chronic disease populations.

The use of evidence informed clinical decision-making, emerging technologies and rehabilitation approaches, and strategies for the effective and safe implementation of rehabilitation in a range of practice contexts will be examined.

Specifically, students will learn techniques including exercise prescription, goal setting and health behaviour modification, measurement of physical activity and sedentary behaviours, fitness evaluation and the selection of appropriate outcome measurements and indicators.

At a group level, students will learn to complete a health needs analysis for rehabilitation programs, write grant applications for funding of rehabilitation programs and measure group outcomes.

Course structure

Students will complete four compulsory subjects and four elective subjects.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• an undergraduate degree in the discipline of Physiotherapy, Medicine, Exercise Science, Occupational Therapy or Nursing; and
• at least two years of documented relevant professional work experience.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applicants, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• professional work experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7.0 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Intended learning outcomes

Rehabilitation theory and practice

• Fluently and accurately discuss and debate key theoretical concepts in contemporary rehabilitation practices using the language of rehabilitation science
• Incorporate knowledge of muscle and exercise physiology and pathophysiology of common conditions in designing, implementing and evaluating effective rehabilitation programs
• Recognise the influence of the social and culture determinants of health and how these influence individual’s choices and health behaviours and act consistently to promote a shared decision making model of rehabilitation practice.
• Work in a culturally competent manner with students and educators from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds to build understanding of factors that influence rehabilitation practices in diverse contexts

Evidence and innovation

• Analyse, synthesise and critically evaluate research and evidence relevant to rehabilitation practices
• Effectively measure both the health status of individuals and groups as well as monitor and measure the outcomes of rehabilitation strategies.

Clinical Practice in Context

• Safely and effectively apply evidence informed rehabilitation practices in selected practice contexts, responding to physical, social and cultural factors that influence the individual and likely outcomes
• Justify clinical decision making for a range of clinical cases in diverse rehabilitation contexts based on literature and practice priorities
• Apply all elements of best practice in rehabilitation, including respectful communication with clients and shared decision making to achieve therapeutic goals
• Advocate for the health and wellbeing of all individuals, promoting equitable access to rehabilitation services
• Australian students will further demonstrate a deep respect for Indigenous knowledge, culture and values and recognise the need to design rehabilitation to meet the needs of Indigenous communities in a culturally sensitive and safe manner.