Graduate Diploma of Health Research

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Health Research will have advanced, integrated theoretical and technical Health Research knowledge, including research training and skills to successfully complete a higher degree by research program, or to seek employment as a health researcher in a health discipline area.

You will be able to plan and conduct research in health-related disciplines. You will also be prepared for professional employment in private, not-for-profit and public sector research positions. As a graduate, you will be eligible to apply for admission to higher degree research studies, which can lead to a high level research career.

Higher education

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma of Health Research, a student must:

• hold an undergraduate degree in a Health related discipline from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 5.0 (using a 7.0 point scale) over the last two years of the Bachelor degree, or
• hold a Masters degree in a related Health discipline from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing)

As a condition of acceptance into the program, students are required to find a suitable supervisor and have their research project approved by the supervisor and Program Director. Students requiring assistance in finding a suitable supervisor should contact the appropriate School Advisor. The School Advisor will be responsible for assessing and recommending applications for admission into the program, approve plans for courses of study, and act as the nominated student contact for concerns and issues that arise. The Program Director will have final approval for admissions into the program.

English Proficiency Requirements

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 program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 

• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 

• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies. 

This degree provides an alternative route for entry into a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) if you do not meet the entry requirements for direct admission.

When you complete this degree, you will be granted admission to an MPhil or PhD, providing you have fulfilled the entry requirements detailed in the Higher Degree Research policy and have completed the confirmation procedure. Your final grade will determine whether you are eligible for the PhD or MPhil.

You will undertake advanced study and supervised research work in the health discipline, defined by your undergraduate degree. In the coursework component, you will critically evaluate research and develop your knowledge and understanding of statistical analysis techniques as applied to health research. You will also develop an awareness of research proposal design and background. The multidisciplinary context of this degree will be invaluable to you if you are seeking to understand complex problems in health.

Recommended Study Pattern

The Graduate Diploma of Health Research is offered on campus full-time or part-time. The program is also available in online mode for students who meet specific criteria as outlined below. Students who wish to complete the program part-time will be required to consult with the School Advisor to determine the appropriate program structure.

Students enrolling in the Graduate Diploma of Health Research are required to complete 40 credit points of coursework and a 40 credit point dissertation (research thesis).

On-campus coursework is mainly offered at the Gold Coast campus, with some courses offered at Nathan or Southbank campus - most (but not all) courses are also available in online (off-campus) mode. The dissertation component may require you to attend the Gold Coast, Logan, Nathan or South Bank campuses and/or off campus locations, dependent on your project and/or supervisor location.

Coursework: The coursework will provide critical evaluation of research and presentation, develop the student's knowledge and understanding of statistical analyses techniques as applied to scientific research and develop an awareness of research proposal design and background.

Dissertation: Students are required to find a suitable supervisor for their research project prior to submitting their application for admission into the program. Students who are unable to locate a suitable supervisor should discuss their proposed research project with their School Advisor.

During enrolment in the dissertation component of this program, it is expected that students will be able to work independently for most of the time. The requirement for on-campus attendance is relatively flexible. However, students will be required to meet regularly with their supervisor and it is recommended that students discuss the on-campus attendance requirements with their supervisor prior to the start of the dissertation.

Where a project requires on-campus laboratory work, students are required to undertake their research at an appropriate laboratory according to the directions of the student's supervisor, School Adviser and/or Program Director. Students are to discuss required workplace health and safety training with their supervisors prior to the commencement of laboratory work. Students who fail to undertake the prescribed workplace health and safety training will not gain entry into laboratories.

Online offering: As completion of a dissertation in distance mode may not be appropriate in some cases, applicants who wish to complete the program online will need to obtain the written approval of the relevant Health Group School, and the proposed supervisor, and submit this documentation with your application. See `How to apply' section for details. Students studying online will be able to access course materials, participate in learning activities, lodge assessment items and access support services via Learning@Griffith. Access to a reliable computer with internet connection and capability for virtual videoconferencing (such as Skype or similar programs) is essential.

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• Dissertation Preparation

• Quantitative Research

• Applied Research Statistics and Meta-Analysis

• Dissertation Part 1

Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award Requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma of Health Research (GDipHealthRes), a student must acquire 80 credit points as prescribed below:

• gain 20 credit points for the core courses
• gain 20 credit points from the listed elective courses
• gain 40 credit points for the research dissertation.

Exit Points

To be eligible to exit the Graduate Diploma of Health Research program with the Graduate Certificate in Health Research award, a student must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:

• gain 40 credit points for the prescribed coursework ; OR
• gain 40 credit points for the Dissertation courses (where evidence is provided that the student has successfully completed at least 40 credit points of postgraduate coursework comprising a minimum of 20 credit points of research courses including a research preparation course such as 6001HLS Dissertation Preparation, 7001HSV Foundations of Research Inquiry or equivalent and subject to prior Program Director approval).

To exit, a student should apply for a program transfer.