Postgraduate Coursework
Graduate Certificate of Primary Health Care
2021
The Graduate Certificate of Primary Health Care will course will augment and extend the knowledge acquired through undergraduate health studies and expand scope of practice.
Through this course, you will synthesise the principles of equity, empowerment, and the socio-political determinants of health through an inter-sectoral focus on the individual, family, and community access to health services.
The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards that relate to Primary Health such as the Clinical Governance, Comprehensive Care, Partnering with Consumers and Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standards are central components in this course.
This course will expand on your current or recent experience within the primary health service, and you will undertake education and assessments that have a direct application to your current or future professional practice.
On completion of the Graduate Certificate of Primary Health Care, you may progress to the Master of Nursing, with advanced standing of completed studies.
Career opportunities
Graduating from this course will demonstrate expertise in the selected primary healthcare specialty. Career opportunities afforded to graduates of this degree include the possibility of working in specialised areas of primary healthcare. Completion of postgraduate education is a necessity for a wide range of career advances such as management, leadership or education roles or academic or research positions.
Credit transfers and pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
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This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
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Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
Admission criteria
- Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree in an associated health, behavioural or social science studies or allied health field; such as nursing, midwifery, pharmacology, social work, oral or skin health.
- Applicants to the Remote Nursing specialisation must also hold current registration as a registered nurse or midwife with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
- It is expected applicants have current or recent work experience in a primary health care setting. This may include (but not be limited to) Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives, Social Workers and Pharmacists.
Essential requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Navitas Academic English (will not be accepted from 2021 onwards) | A minimum overall pass and 65% in Academic English 3 with a 65% pass in the research essay. (Note: this score will not be accepted from 2021 intakes onwards). |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
Course structure
This 40-credit point course consists of three core units.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core (2 units) |
20cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below:
PHC500 Screening and Assessment |
| Specialist Elective (1 unit)
|
20cp | Specialist Elective unit totalling 20 credit points selected from one of the specialisations detailed below.
Sexual Health Oral Health Remote Nursing Dementia Management Skin Health Maternal and Child Health Chronic Condition Management |
| 40cp | Total Credit Points |
Students who commenced in or after 2013
The grade of "PC" cannot be counted towards a Graduate Certificate AQF Level 8 course award.
Students should refer to the current Grading Policy and Common Course Rules for further information.
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full time or part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use these as a guide to create an individual study plan.
Full-time Study Plan
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| PHC500 Screening and Assessment | CO | ||
| PHC501 Foundations of Primary Health Care | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective (20 credit points) | SE | ||
Part-time Study Plan
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| PHC500 Screening and Assessment | CO | Specialist Elective (20 credit points) | SE |
| PHC501 Foundations of Primary Health Care | CO | ||
Students commencing in Semester 2
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard full time or part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use these as a guide to create an individual study plan.
Full-time Study Plan
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| PHC500 Screening and Assessment | CO | ||
| PHC501 Foundations of Primary Health Care | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective (20 credit points) | SE | ||
Part-time Study Plan
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Course fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
2021: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.