Masters in Health Sciences (endorsed in Occupational Health)

This distance taught course is offered for health professionals engaged in the practice of occupational health and safety. The course is based on two years of taught papers taken part time at a distance and a two year part time thesis. Taught papers are normally those taught by the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, and students normally graduate with a Diploma in Health Science (Occupational Health). It is possible however for students to undertake their research through the Department of Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, who have extensive experience of supervising Masters research students at a distance. This enables students to continue working in their normal place of employment and undertake study locally, provided they have access to appropriate study populations and suitable local support and facilities are available locally to the student.

Students normally complete the taught papers for the Diploma in Health Science (Occupational Health) these papers are as follows:

1. OCCX 401 – Occupational Health
2. OCCX 402 – Occupational Safety

AND
3. REHX 706 – Work Rehabilitation

OR
One other appropriate paper
4. HASC 417 – Research methodologies paper

OR
INDX 704 – Research methods in occupational health
(A number of research methods papers may be suitable to the distance taught student and may be substituted for either of these papers).

On completion of the Diploma in Health Science (Occupational Health) students can apply for approval to undertake a programme of research towards a thesis and must also apply to be admitted to the Masters degree programme. Applications for submission should be submitted to the Department providing research supervision. Students must agree on their research topic and submit a three-four page research proposal detailing methodology, ethical issues, funding, and a brief description of the background to the project.

Once a research project has been agreed, suitable student supervisors appointed, and the project approved by the Health Sciences Board of Graduate Studies, the student then enters into a two year programme of research culminating in the writing of a report thesis. It is also expected that students will normally publish their work in a peer reviewed journal.

Suitable research topics can be drawn from any area of practice of occupational health and safety. The programme will depend on submitting a suitable research topic and research methodology which will achieve the stated objectives, and demonstrated ability to access data. Supervisors will be selected to have the necessary background to provide oversight and input into the student’s research; this will normally include one local supervisor. Students will normally be expected to obtain their own funding to support their research; however a range of scholarships and research grants may be available for suitable research projects.

For further information please contact Dr Rob Griffiths, Department of Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, or Dr Hilda Firth, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine.