Graduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA):

GA1: Intellectual rigour

• Apply an evidence-based clinical decision-making framework using appropriate evidence and critical thinking within contemporary lifestyle medicine practice.
• Apply knowledge of the principles and methods of evidence-based practice to the practice of lifestyle medicine.

GA2: Creativity

• Critically and creatively evaluate and respond to actual and potential health problems impacting individuals, families and communities.

GA3: Ethical practice

• Exhibit professional competencies, scopes of practice, codes of conduct, codes of ethics, laws and policies.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

• Critically apply pertinent lifestyle medicine theories and frameworks in clinical and professional contexts.
• Apply knowledge of local and global determinants of health, for different populations and settings.

GA5: Lifelong learning

• Critically reflect on current skills, knowledge, attitudes and practices to plan and implement ongoing personal and professional learning.

GA6: Communication and social skills

• Apply autonomy, accountability, adaptability and professional advocacy in lifestyle medicine across diverse teams and settings.
• Demonstrate advanced verbal and written communication skills that drive appropriate patient and population outcomes in diverse settings.

GA7: Cultural competence

• Advocate the socio-cultural preferences, needs and values of individuals and groups across diverse settings and within interdisciplinary teams.

Lifestyle Medicine is an internationally recognised discipline that focuses on the prevention and reversal of chronic and lifestyle-related diseases through the modification of behavioural, social and environmental determinants.

The Graduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine is designed for health practitioners working in general medicine, allied health, nursing or other health disciplines who wish to develop foundational skills and knowledge in the field of lifestyle medicine. The course assists practitioners to prescribe lifestyle interventions and facilitate behaviour change in order to support the prevention and management of chronic disease and to improve patient outcomes.

The Graduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine is taught by leaders in the field and uses an evidence based approach to examine the principles and practices of lifestyle medicine, including determinants of health, clinical processes, models of care, and strategies and interventions for preventing and managing disease. 

Award requirements

To be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine, students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points) comprising:

• 3 core units (36 credit points) and
• 1 option unit (12 credit points).

Choose your subjects

Majors

Students will study three core units and one elective unit across the following areas: principles and practice of lifestyle medicine – foundations, clinical processes, planning and management; psychological and environmental influences on health; and self management and chronic disease.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $4,940

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying part-time, which is typically 4 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

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An Australian equivalent Bachelor degree in biomedical science or a clinical health discipline.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows. Don’t meet the English language requirements? View our English language programs.

• Overall: 6.5
• Listening: minimum 6.0
• Speaking: minimum 6.0
• Reading: minimum 6.0
• Writing: minimum 6.0

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.