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Master of Lifestyle Medicine

Masters by Coursework

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    MLifestyleMed

  • Course code

    1209300

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

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. 

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

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.

GA2: Creativity

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

GA3: Ethical practice

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

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

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.

GA5: Lifelong learning

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.

GA6: Communication and social skills

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

GA7: Cultural competence

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

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.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Online Term 1 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

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

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

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)

Entry 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

Language 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

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.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

HLTH5006 Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine I: Foundations
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
HLTH6005 Self-management and Chronic Disease
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
HLTH5007 Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 2: Clinical Processes
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
N/A
Pre-requisites HLTH5006 - Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine I: Foundations
HLTH6002 Metabolic Health and Management
Summer Term
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Summer Term
Term2
Summer Term
Term2
Enrolment information Prior knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and pathology is desirable.
HLTH6003 Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 3: Planning and Management
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites HLTH5006 - Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine I: Foundations AND HLTH5007 - Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 2: Clinical Processes
HLTH6007 Health Research Project A
Dual Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Dual Term2,4
Dual Term2,4
HLTH6004 Psychological & Environmental Influences on Health
Summer Term
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Summer Term
Term4
Summer Term
Term4
HLTH6008 Health Research Project B
Dual Term3
12 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Online
Dual Term3
Dual Term3
Pre-requisites HLTH6007 - Health Research Project A

Note 1:

Students that receive Advanced Standing for CPD hours against HLTH3001, as listed in the Schedule of Units, are not required to complete this unit.

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
AND
HLTH6008 Health Research Project B Note 1
OR
students who have accrued 150 hours of CPD may be eligible to apply for Advanced Standing for the following unit, in line with Advanced Standing and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and Procedures:
HLTH3001 Independent Study - Health Science