(01) UC/09-PGCertHealSc/1
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
CUAP Proposal-New Qualification/Subject
Section A
Proposal Description
Purpose of the proposal
To introduce a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences. (PGCertHealSc)
Justification
The proposed certificate meets the strategic academic and professional goals of the Health Sciences Centre and the
College of Education, particularly in relation to the enhancement of opportunities at the postgraduate level and as a
pathway into the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences and Master of Health Sciences for those students 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.
The postgraduate certificate provides the opportunity of a stairway for students coming to the programme unsure of their
career path, and provides an early exit for those who decide not to continue with postgraduate or health sciences studies.
The Certificate meets these goals by:
Offering a curriculum that will be attractive to potential students and employers in the wider health sector in terms of
advanced academic study and professional development
Introducing students to postgraduate studies in Health Sciences who may have been away from University study for a
prolonged period in a way that is professionally relevant
Offering a qualification that provides a clear path to a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences and Master of Health
Sciences
Marketing to potential students and employers; regionally, nationally and internationally.
The proposal reflects the University’s key strategic areas as follows:
Attracts students to the study of Health Sciences from a wide diversity of backgrounds and supports them in their
postgraduate study
Curriculum development and teaching that is research rich and which supports life-long learning and develops the
intellectual potential and independence of students
Develops a sense of scholarly community for students of Health Sciences within the College of Education and extends
that sense beyond the University
Develops a programme that encourages strong and mutual relations with sectors of the wider health community
Develops graduates who are prepared to make a difference and be leaders in the health profession.
Strategic development of Health Sciences is consistent with the UC Profile, the stated role of the Health Sciences Centre
being “to foster health related interdisciplinary and collaborative initiatives within the University, with other tertiary
education providers in Canterbury and beyond, and with the health sector”. The proposed Postgraduate Certificate will
expand and strengthen postgraduate health sciences, will provide a broader academic base for students moving toward
health related employment or further postgraduate study and will contribute to development of the New Zealand health
workforce. This is consistent with the strategic directions of the College of Education.
The health sector is one of New Zealand’s largest employers, with its Ministry of Health estimated workforce of 130,000,
perhaps a third of which are not in clinical roles. In addition, many students find employment in health related sectors,
including central or local government agencies, community social services, sport and recreation. Enrolments in our
postgraduate courses have demonstrated that there is an untapped student market at the postgraduate level, particularly
those in the health and related workforces, or who have an interest in health, whose interest in a postgraduate qualification
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will be satisfied by the demands of a Postgraduate Certificate. A postgraduate certificate in the field of health sciences is
available from other providers but not UC. The UC qualification will enable students who want to complete a
postgraduate certificate in the field of health sciences to do so at UC and to take their courses in UC Health Sciences
Centre’s areas of expertise, namely inter and cross disciplinary health sciences. There is an increasing tendency for health
professionals to work collaboratively and in cross-disciplinary teams and for those working across disciplinary
boundaries, the postgraduate certificate will allow students who would otherwise not be at UC to engage in studies with
an interdisciplinary focus, in a way that could not be obtained from discipline specific programmes.
A number of the health sector professional registration bodies require professional development of their membership to
retain registration. The Postgraduate Certificate allows health professionals to meet those obligations and to acquire a
recognised qualification, and a proportion of these students will then proceed to further study.
The proposal fits the teaching and research specifications of Health Science Centre staff, and lecturers from other
University departments who will contribute their health related expertise to the courses available for credit to the
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences.
Acceptability
The proposal arises from recognition of a workforce development need for postgraduate study to be accessible and to
relate to the professional development requirements for maintaining registration. A number of students have asked for the
Postgraduate Certificate option as a means of returning to postgraduate study, and meeting their workplace demands.
This proposal has been reviewed by the Joint Board of Studies: Health. Consultation has included key health sector
agencies, including the Ministry of Health and the Canterbury District Health Board, the Christchurch Polytechnic
Institute of Technology and UC academic staff and students.
External contacts:
 Jane Cartwright, CEO, Partnership Health Canterbury
 Dr Fran McGrath, Deputy Director Public Health, MoH
 Nanette Ainge, Nursing Advisor, CDHB
 Dr Cathy Andrew, Head, School of Nursing and Human Services, CPIT
 Dr Paul Watson, Postgraduate Programme Leader/Senior Lecturer, CPIT
 Siobhan Storey, CCC
 Carolyn Gullery, GM Planning and Funding, CDHB
 Jim Magee, CEO, Nurse Maude
Internal contacts:
 Prof Ross Barnett, Geography
 Prof Dennis Dutton, Philosophy
 Prof Mike Robb, Communication Disorders
 Assoc Prof Neville Blampied, HOD Psychology
 Assoc. Prof Wendy Lawson, HOD Geography
 Assoc Prof Terry Austrin, Sociology
 Assoc Prof Kathleen Liberty, Education
 Dr Catherine Moran, HOD Communication Disorders
 Alison Holmes, UCTL
 Patricia Jordon, Library
 Marcella Payton, UCSA
This correspondence is available on request.
Goals of the programme
The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences is designed to give health professionals, non-clinical members of the
health workforce and others interested in the health sector, or health issues, the opportunity to examine critically
significant issues in health sciences, and where relevant to improve their professional practice. The certificate investigates
theories and practices in a range of areas, including: early intervention, health behaviour change, bioethics, health
information management, the New Zealand health system, health intervention assessment, men’s health and palliative
care. The coherence of a student’s programme of study will be guaranteed by the provision of systematic academic
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advice and direction and by approval of each student’s course of study by the Director of the Health Sciences Centre, as
set out in the regulations to the award.
Graduate profile
The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences provides graduates with an advanced introduction to research-based
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:
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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 life long learning and professional engagement
understand the some of the key issues in the health sector
Programme Overview
The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences is a one semester- two year programme. The two courses are taken from
the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences schedule as approved by the Dean of Education.
Outcome statement
The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences provides graduates with an advanced introduction to research-based
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.
Proposed teaching/delivery methods
Teaching in the Health Sciences Centre typically comprises lectures, seminar presentations, workshops, guest speakers
and case studies that may draw on the experience and expertise of members of the health profession, as appropriate.
Teaching will be classroom-based and web-based. Some courses have weekly campus sessions, and others are taught in
blocks, typically two or three blocks of two or three days, with online interaction and support between blocks.
Assessment procedures
Assessment will be undertaken via a range of methods which are consistent with the University of Canterbury and the
College of Education’s assessment procedures and may include the following: essays, tests, reports, examinations,
portfolios and presentations (both individually and in groups), and on-line assessments, as appropriate. From time to time
academic visitors to the Health Sciences Centre and members of relevant professional bodies will also be used for
purposes of ongoing moderation and review.
Resources
There are no additional resourcing implications in this proposal. Current room allocations, library holdings and staffing
are sufficient for anticipated student growth.
Plans for monitoring programme quality
Assessments in all HLTH courses will be subject to moderation consistent with University of Canterbury practice. There
will be regular course and teaching surveys conducted by UCTL
Confirmation that Section B has been prepared and will be made available to CUAP on request
Section B has been prepared.
For New Qualifications – TEC/NZQA/NZVCC Requirements
EFTS value of qualification
0.50 EFTS
NZSCED code
06-99
NZQA exit level of qualification to go on the register
Level 8
Statement regarding funding
The qualification meets the criteria to be fully funded at the postgraduate level.
Memorandum of understanding
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(01) UC/09-PGCertHealSc/1
N/A
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Calendar Form
New Qualification Regulations
2009 Calendar, p.186, After the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCertEd) add: Postgraduate Certificate in Health
Sciences (PGCertHealSc) Regulations.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc)
See also General Course and Examination Regulations.
1. Qualifications Required to Enrol in the Certificate
Every candidate for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences shall have:
(a) i. qualified for a degree in a Tertiary Educational Organisation which is of relevance to the health sciences and the
proposed course of study; or
ii. an appropriate health or allied professional qualification requiring at least three years equivalent full-time tertiary
study at an appropriate level; or
iii. successfully completed a qualifying course prescribed by the Joint Board of Studies: Health; and
iv. presented evidence of ability for advanced level academic study; or
v. been admitted ad eundem statum to enrol for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences.
(b) been approved as a candidate for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences by the Dean of Education.
2. Structure of the Certificate
(a) All students admitted to the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences will complete a coherent programme
of study approved by the Joint Board of Studies: Health.
(b) The course of study for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences shall comprise courses equivalent to
0.50 EFTS (60 points).
3. Courses for the Certificate
The courses for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences are the HLTH coded courses listed in the Schedule to the
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences Regulations.
Note: Not all courses will be offered in any one year.
4. Approval of Course of Study
Each candidate is subject to the approval of the Dean of Education. Prior qualifications and experience of the candidate
will be taken into account in approving the course of study.
5. Time Limits
The minimum period of enrolment for a full-time candidate is one semester. A candidate must complete the qualification
for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences within two years of the date of first enrolment.
6. Re-enrolling in Courses
A candidate who fails any course for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences may not re-enrol in that course but,
with the approval of the Dean of Education, may substitute another course for it.
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