The Master of Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) is aimed at wellness and rehabilitation practitioners and recent graduates (in fields such as chiropractic, health sciences, massage therapy, medicine, naturopathy, nursing, occupational therapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy, sport and exercise) wishing to undertake an advanced programme of study in order to prepare for further study or to assist with obtaining a more senior position. The programme will enable them to extend their capability in critical and professional/clinical reasoning for specialist practice, leadership and management in professional settings.
The programme is tailored to the individual study needs of each student.
Master of Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) students will undertake a coherent programme of 180 credits approved by the programme manager and will follow one of two pathways.
The first pathway is designed for students who want to undertake more course work and consists of three compulsory components
WR800 Wellness and Rehabilitation Principles
WR810 Research Skills for Professional Practice
WR901 Research Project
and an approved selection of two papers worth 60 credits from the following list:
WR801 Advanced Practice to Support Older Persons’ Well-being
WR802 Advancing Specialist Practice
WR803 Case Management
WR804 Cardiovascular, Pulmonary and Metabolic Health
WR805 Musculoskeletal and Neurological Rehabilitation
WR806 Pain Assessment and Management
WR807 Special Topic
Elective 30 credits at level 8 or above from a relevant postgraduate programme
The second pathway is designed for students who want to undertake a more substantial research project and consists of three compulsory components
WR800 Wellness and Rehabilitation Principles
WR810 Research Skills for Professional Practice
WR902 Thesis
and an approved paper from the following list
WR801 Advanced Practice to Support Older Persons’ Well-being
WR802 Advancing Specialist Practice
WR803 Case Management
WR804 Cardiovascular, Pulmonary and Metabolic Health
WR805 Musculoskeletal and Neurological Rehabilitation
WR806 Pain Assessment and Management
WR807 Special Topic
Graduates of the Master of Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) will be able to:
- Set and justify priorities, solve complex problems using credible evidence in novel environments, and organise and manage resources related to wellness and rehabilitation or performance
- Design, carry out and communicate the results of significant research projects in the field of wellness and rehabilitation and relate the findings to professional and research literature
- Analyse and critique professional research publications in wellness, rehabilitation and related subject areas, identify practical applications and relate findings to their own research
- Apply their analytical and research capabilities to unfamiliar situations involving the application of wellness and rehabilitation practices
- Research, integrate and apply advanced understanding of wellness and rehabilitation approaches, assessment, training and methodology
- Demonstrate high levels of skill as a wellness and rehabilitation practitioner or in a research role in an organisation
- Think critically and act responsibly when confronted with academic or professional challenges
Public and private sector organisations employing graduates of the Master of Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) will benefit from the advanced knowledge and capabilities (including analytical and research) that the graduates have acquired during their programme of study.
Possible roles may be in clinical leadership and specialist positions, as a disability support service manager, health promotion advisor, rehabilitation professional, specialist advisory and health manager, ACC case manager, clinical practice manager, or complementary integrative medicine professional.
Students will have completed all requirements of a bachelor degree or graduate diploma in a relevant field (such as chiropractic, health sciences, massage therapy, medicine, naturopathy, nursing, occupational therapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy, sport and exercise) with at least a 70-74% average at Level 7.
To proceed to the Master of Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) from the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) or equivalent programme, applicants will be expected to have achieved a 70% grade or higher on average in that programme of study. All postgraduate diploma level papers must be at Level 8 or above.
Language Requirements
Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate of at least 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having passed an NZQA approved internal English Language Assessment, or one of the following tests of English language competence in accordance with the NZQA rules below
- IELTS test - Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6
- TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) – Score of 590 (with an essay score 5.5 TWE)
- TOEFL Internet- based test (iBT) – Score of 79 (with a writing score of 21)
- University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations – CAE or CPE with a score of 176. No less than 169 in each skill.
- NZCEL – Level 5 with the Academic endorsement
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PToE (Academic score of 58)
- City of Guilds IESOL – C1 Expert with a score of 42
Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate below 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English must provide evidence that they
- Have gained NCEA Level 3 and met New Zealand University Entrance requirements or
- Hold a bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, The Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America or
- Have achieved a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, CELTA or
- IELTS test - Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6
- TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) – Score of 590 (with an essay score 5.5 TWE)
- TOEFL Internet- based test (iBT) – Score of 79 (with a writing score of 21)
- University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations – CAE or CPE with a score of 176. No less than 169 in each skill.
- NZCEL – Level 5 with the Academic endorsement
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PToE (Academic score of 58)
- City of Guilds IESOL – C1 Expert with a score of 42
All enrolments in the Master of Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) are approved at the discretion of the Programme Manager in consultation with the Head of Faculty and teaching staff as required. The Head of Faculty will determine the maximum number of students permitted to enrol in the Masters programme.