UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Template 7: Graduating Year Review Template 2013
Details
2103
Current Year
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences. (PGCertHealSc)
Name of Programme
(01)
UC/09 PGCertHealSc/1
Original Programme Identifier
Name of Self-Review Coordinator
Dr Lauretta Muir, Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences
and position held
Programme Statement
Description
The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences was introduced in 2009 to provide an academic base for
students moving toward health related employment or who are employed in the health sector and seek
development opportunities. It provides a staircase opportunity into more advanced/specialised health sciences
programmes for students who are unsure of their health sciences path, for those who may have been away from
university study for a prolonged period of time, or who, because of professional commitments, cannot complete
a more extensive programme. It also provides an early exit for those who decide not to continue with
postgraduate or health sciences studies.
Achievement
Graduate Profile
The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences provides graduates with an advanced introduction to researchbased understanding and knowledge of a range of aspects of the New Zealand health system and issues in the
health sector. The certificate emphasises critical thinking about and understanding of issues across a limited
range of health-related areas.
In a limited range of health issues a graduate of the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences is expected to:






demonstrate a knowledge of specific areas of health science practice and thought
explore current issues and processes in the New Zealand health sector
apply academic learning to real life contexts
communicate clearly and effectively in written and spoken English
develop analytical and critical skills relevant to lifelong learning and professional engagement
understand some of the key issues in the health sector.
Changes
There have been no changes to the PGCertHealSc programme since its inception.
Review Processes
E
Account of Review Processes.
The review panel was chaired by Sue McBain (Senior Lecturer, School of Sport and Physical Education). Panel
members were Megan McAuliffe (Associate Professor, Department of Communication Disorders), Lauretta
Muir (Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences) and Kate Reid (Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences).
The staff of the School of Health Sciences were invited to contribute to the review and analyse the enrolments
in the programme. Independent information was gathered by interviewing two of the six graduates (a further
graduate had arranged to take part but was unable to attend the interview at the last minute). Feedback was
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sought on the certificate’s ability to meet the aims of the programme and the graduate profile. A range of
student work was also viewed as were PGCertHealSc LEARN (Moodle) sites. Those interviewed also had
opportunity to comment on the relevance of the certificate to their work and to offer suggestions for
improvement.
Review Outcomes
Acceptability
E
Staff, graduates and the panel view the programme as meeting the qualification objectives. Graduates reflected
the skills, knowledge and attributes of the Graduate Profile.
Assessment procedures and student performance
The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) has appropriate assessment procedures.
Students may select two courses from an extensive schedule of courses from the Postgraduate Diploma in
Health Sciences, all of which contribute to the PGCertHealSc. The diverse courses employ a varied range of
relevant and authentic assessments which link theory to practice. All of the graduates interviewed commented
positively on the quality of the assessments, their relevance and authenticity. A range of student work was
viewed by the panel and was found to be of an appropriate standard for Level 8 of the NZQA framework.
Moderation process. The PGCertHealSc has close relationships with industry providers and health sciences
professional bodies, many of whom are contributors to this certificate. These stakeholders are also consulted
about content of assessments to ensure they are relevant to the industry and are based on assessment and
associated health industries best practice. Assessments are also peer reviewed by external experts from a range
of disciplines. Assessment and student assignments are also internally moderated by other members of the
School of Health Sciences to ensure that standards are comparable. Guest assessors and lecturers are invited for
practical and oral assessments, ensuring that assessments are relevant to the health sectors and are of an
appropriate standard. Members of this school are engaged in external moderation for other universities,
enhancing knowledge of cross-institution standards. The courses in the PGCertHealSc are internally moderated
each semester in the School of Health Sciences examiners’ meeting. This meeting monitors the distribution of
grades, making adjustments if necessary to ensure reasonable consistency/comparability of course grades from
year to year and between courses, to best reflect the calibre of student’s achievement in that year (as described
in the UC Assessment Policy).
Data
Table 1: Numbers enrolling and completing
Projected
Actual No.
Year
No.
Full-time
Enrolled
Enrolling
2010
6-8
5
0
2011
6-8
5
1
2012
6-8
14
0
Parttime
EFTS
No.
Completed
Withdrawals
5
4
14
1.6
1.9
5.3
4
1
1
1
0
0
Table 2: Distribution of grades (for final year courses)
Course
Code
No.
Enro
lled
No.
Comp
leted
2010
HLTH401
1
1
2010
HLTH409
2
2
2010
HLTH430
3
2
Year
A+
1
A
1
0
GPA
(Prog
or
Subj)
7.0
1
0
8.0
7.3
2
0
7.0
6.9
A-
B+
2
B
B-
C+
C
C-
Fai
l
GPA
(all
studs)
6.1
2010
HLTH431
1
1
1
2011
CFPY601
1
1
2011
CFPY603
1
1
2011
CFPY604
1
1
2011
HLTH401
1
1
2011
HLTH414
1
1
2011
HLTH430
1
1
2011
HLTH460
1
1
2011
HLTH472
1
1
2012
CFPY604
1
1
2012
HLTH401
2
2
2012
HLTH402
1
1
2012
HLTH407
1
1
2012
HLTH409
1
1
2012
HLTH410
2
2
2012
HLTH430
4
4
1
2012
HLTH431
1
1
1
2012
HLTH442
4
4
2012
HLTH448
2
2
2012
HLTH449
1
1
2012
HLTH451
1
1
0
5.0
5.6
1
0
7.0
6.8
1
0
7.0
6.5
0
6.0
6.7
0
5.0
5.9
0
9.0
8.1
0
7.0
6.0
0
9.0
7.0
0
8.0
6.4
0
9.0
7.0
1
0
7.5
5.8
1
0
7.0
7.4
0
9.0
5.6
1
0
7.0
5.6
2
0
7.0
6.8
0
6.5
5.9
0
8.0
7.0
1
4.3
6.6
1
1.0
5.7
0
5.0
7.1
0
6.0
4.3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Programme Evaluation
The Review Panel and College of Education staff noted that the PGCertHealSc programme has achieved its
aims and is working well, with student interest now exceeding the initial expectations expressed in the CUAP
proposal. (A significant increase was observed in 2012 as students were encouraged to take up or return to
study post-earthquakes.)
This qualification was developed to meet the specialist knowledge required for those working in health science
industry. The health science work force consists of a range of professionals (such as nurses, counsellors,
occupational therapists, physiotherapists etc), many of which are women. Many of the students completing the
PGCertHealSc are women who have been away from academic study for a considerable number of years, and
this brings unique challenges for staff. All graduates interviewed were women currently working in the health
science positions and all were very positive about the PGCertHealSc
When questioned about the aims of the graduate profile of the PGCertHealSc, those interviewed were able to
articulate clearly their learning in relation to these aims. As a group, the graduates commented on their ability
to critically analyse, question and investigate workplace practice; a direct result of their completing the
PGCertHealSc. They enjoyed the practical and applied nature of the courses as well as the diversity of students
within the courses. They commented that the student diversity brought a richness and complexity to their
learning which was valued but could have been utilised more within classes. The graduates interviewed felt
that semester 1 (2011) courses were understandably negatively impacted by the earthquakes however they
appreciated that the programme provided an exit strategy when they were unable to continue with the
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences and Masters due to the 2010/11 earthquakes. Graduates felt that they
became more current in their heath sector knowledge at the completion of the PGCertHealSc and that it has
contributed positively to their work.
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We recommend that coordination of the suite of postgraduate qualifications in health sciences continues to
ensure that this certificate programme a) supports students into tertiary education, b) provides an exit strategy
for those who are unable to progress with further academic studies, c) provides course selection guidance to
students who wish to continue to study in the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences, and d) supports the
postgraduate courses delivered by the School of Health Sciences.
The staff and students interviewed and the graduating year review panel believe that this qualification is
relevant to the health sector and that it is meeting the aims and objectives outlined in the qualification proposal.
Continuation or Discontinuation
The Panel recommends that the College of Education continues to offer the PGCertHealSc.
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