Health ScienceSubject regulations

Health Science is available as a subject in the Postgraduate Certificate of Health Science (PGCertHSc), Postgraduate Diploma of Health Science (PGDipHSc), and Master of Health Science (MHSc).

Other qualifications

Prescriptions for:

To complete a Postgraduate Certificate of Health Science (PGCertHSc) students must complete 60 points at 500 level from the papers listed below.
Students do not have to follow a listed pathway; however, the following pathways are available.
Gerontology pathway
Students should complete 60 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501 and HLTSC531.
Mental Health pathway
Students should complete 60 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501 and HLTSC520.
Primary Care pathway
Students should complete 60 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501 and HLTSC561.
To complete a Postgraduate Diploma of Health Science (PGDipHSc) students must complete 120 points at 500 level, including 90 points from the papers listed below.
To complete a Master of Health Science (MHSc) students must complete 240 points at 500 level, including 210 points from the papers listed below. Students must include HLTSC592, HLTSC593, HLTSC594, or HLTSC508 and HLTSC509.
Students do not have to follow a designated pathway; however, the following pathways are available.
Child Health pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC545, HLTSC546 and HLTSC503.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.
Clinical pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level including HLTSC501, HLTSC502.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.
Registered Nurse Prescriber pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC502, HLTSC508 and HLTSC507.
Education pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC502, HLTSC540 and HLTSC541.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level, including either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc.
Gerontology pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC530, HLTSC531 and HLTSC532.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.
Leadership and Health Management pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC570, HLTSC571, HLTSC572 and HLTSC573.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.
Māori, Pacific and Indigenous pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC502, HLTSC550 and HLTSC551.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.
Mental Health pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC520, HLTSC521 and HLTSC562.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.
Nurse Practitioner pathway
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC502, HLTSC503, HLTSC507, HLTSC508, HLTSC509 and HLTSC510.
Primary, Community and Rural pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC560, HLTSC561 and HLTSC562.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC592, HLTSC580 and HLTSC593, or HLTSC594. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.
The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
The Doctor of Health Science is a three-year full-time or six-year part-time professional doctorate in health science for experienced health practitioners who have a strong academic record and who want to develop their profession through research. Students in this programme complete guided coursework and a thesis. This thesis critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, and displays intellectual independence. It makes a substantial original contribution to the research area and is of publishable quality.
The [Master of Philosophy] (https://www.waikato.ac.nz/about/calendar/regulations/higher/mphil/) is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

Health Science papers

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
HLTSC501Health Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making for Registered Nurses This paper extends the knowledge gained from undergraduate Health Assessment for nurses, to enable registered nurses to autonomously practice health...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC502Applied Science This paper extends the undergraduate understanding of pathophysiology and to inform knowledge and clinical judgement when assessing health needs and...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC503Specialty Knowledge in Nursing Practice This paper builds on foundational knowledge of assessment and clinical decision making to provide students with the opportunity to explore knowledge...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC506Special Project This paper will allow students to pursue an individual programme of study in areas where there are not sufficient numbers to make up a class cohort...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC507Pharmacological Therapy This paper will explore the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of commonly used pharmacological agents. It will also explore pharmacological...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC508Registered Nurse Prescribing Practicum This paper provides the student with structured clinical experiences in prescribing practice. This includes clinical assessment and diagnostic...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC509Advanced Clinical Practicum This paper is designed to prepare nurses for advance practice clinical roles including that of Nurse practitioner. Completion of this paper will...	30	25A (Hamilton)
HLTSC510Advanced Practice Role Development This is a self-paced course with two outputs, an analysis of an advanced practice clinical role and a business case for that advanced practice role...	30	25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC511Mātanga Tapuhi (Nurse Practitioner) Prescribing Practicum This paper provides the student with structured clinical experiences in prescribing practice. This includes clinical assessment and diagnostic...	30	25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC512New Entry To Practice: Clinical Reasoning and Population Responsiveness This paper is delivered by Te Whatu Ora – Waikato. HLTSC512 has been established to provide credit for when students enrol in postgraduate study at...	30	25A (Block) & 25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC520Mental Health Nursing Practice This paper provides an introduction to the clinical specialty of mental health nursing for nurses new to mental health. The practice builds on...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC521Psychological Therapies This paper will explore foundational learning in the theory and practice of psychological interventions in health care. Students will be supported to...	30	25A (Hamilton)
HLTSC530Gerontological Studies Gerontological studies explores the social, psychological, economic and biological basis for ageing. Recent developments within Gerontology and...	30	25A (Hamilton)
HLTSC531Biological Ageing The paper systematically addresses anatomical and physiological changes in the ageing mammal and relates these changes to the current beliefs and...	30	No occurrences
HLTSC532Palliative Care Excellence in symptom control can go a long way to relieving suffering. However, it is often the more contextual or psychological issues that cause...	30	No occurrences
HLTSC533Death and Dying This paper is designed to meet the needs of health professionals engaged in the care of terminally ill patients who wish to increase their...	30	25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC534Health Leadership This paper enables students to position health leadership within the current and future context of health delivery both in New Zealand and...	30	25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC535Managing People in the Health Sector This paper is aimed at health professionals and others working in the health sector. The paper will provide students with a set of tools to manage...	30	No occurrences
HLTSC537Leading and Managing Innovation in Health The development of knowledge and skills to lead and manage innovation in health is critical as practitioners strive to improve health outcomes for...	30	25A (Hamilton)
HLTSC540Education and Development for Practice This paper equips health professionals to facilitate learning and application of knowledge to practice using contemporary evidenced based education...	30	25A (Hamilton)
HLTSC541Supervision and Mentorship This paper introduces students to the roles of supervision and mentorship in professional practice. Students will be engaged in supervision and / or...	30	25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC545Child Health Assessment This paper extends nurses' knowledge of health assessment for children and young people enabling students to complete a comprehensive health...	30	25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC546The Biological Basis for Child Health Explores and deepens understanding of the antecedents to and pathophysiology of disease in children. It provides the scientific rationale that...	30	25A (Hamilton)
HLTSC550Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Professional Health Practice This paper builds on foundational knowledge of Māori, Pacific and indigenous perspectives of health to provide students with the opportunity to...	30	25A (Hamilton)
HLTSC551Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Health Leadership This paper builds on knowledge from HLTSC 550 to provide the opportunity for students to explore leadership from Māori, Pacific and indigenous...	30	25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC561Primary Healthcare Practice This paper provides primary care registered nurses with the knowledge, skill and nursing judgement to provide care and support for people to manage...	30	25B (Hamilton)
HLTSC592Health Science Dissertation This 60-point research project provides the research component of the honours or the Masters degree.	60	25X (Hamilton)
HLTSC593Health Science Thesis The 90-point thesis is an individual scholarly piece of work of 30,000 words which uses research methodology to systematically investigate a health...	90	25I (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton)
HLTSC594Health Science Thesis The thesis is an individual scholarly piece of work of 40,000 words which uses research methodology to systematically investigate a health issue.	120	25I (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
HLTSC800Health Science MPhil Thesis	120	25X (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
HLTSC900Health Science PhD Thesis The doctoral thesis is an individual scholarly piece of work of 80,000 to 100,000 words which uses research methodology to systematically investigate...	120	25I (Hamilton) & 25J (Hamilton) & 25K (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton)

2025 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 4 Apr 2025 01:00am

Health ScienceSubject regulations

Other qualifications

PGCertHSc

PGDipHSc and MHSc

PhD

DHSc

MPhil

Health Science papers