Master of 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).

Course Learning Outcome

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 research principles and methods to investigating and contributing to lifestyle medicine practice and scholarship.

GA2: Creativity

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

GA3: Ethical practice

• Understand and function within applicable professional competencies, scopes of practice, codes of conduct, codes of ethics, laws and policies.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and critical application of pertinent lifestyle medicine theories and frameworks in clinical and professional contexts.
• Apply an integrated body of knowledge of, and be responsive to, local and global determinants of health across a range of populations in a safe and competent manner.

GA5: Lifelong learning

• Critically reflect on current skills, knowledge, attitudes and practices to plan and implement ongoing personal and professional learning.
• Apply autonomy, accountability, adaptability, professional advocacy, responsibility and leadership in lifestyle medicine across diverse teams and settings.

GA6: Communication and social skills

• Demonstrate advanced verbal and written communication skills that drive appropriate patient and population outcomes in diverse settings.

GA7: Cultural competence

• Demonstrate an ability to advocate the socio-cultural preferences, needs and values of individuals and groups across diverse settings and within interdisciplinary teams.

A large percentage of chronic disease risk can be attributed to lifestyle behaviours. However, assisting individuals to modify their lifestyle remains an ongoing challenge for many health practitioners.

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

The Master of 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 and models of care, and strategies and interventions for preventing and managing disease. A capstone research project also enables students to investigate an area of interest in depth.

This course is part of Southern Cross University’s suite of health degrees that take an interdisciplinary and patient-centred approach to healthcare. 

Recommended study pattern

• HLTH5006 Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine I: Foundations
• HLTH5007 Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 2: Clinical Processes
• HLTH6003 Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 3: Planning and Management
• HLTH6004 Psychological & Environmental Influences on Health
• HLTH6005 Self-management and Chronic Disease
• HLTH6002 Metabolic Health and Management
• NATM6003 Health Research Project A
• NATM6004 Health Research Project B.

Award requirements

To be eligible to receive the Master of Lifestyle Medicine, students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:

- 8 core units (96 credit points).

Southern Cross University believes in the power of change. Their graduates stride the global stage at the frontline of healthcare, transforming education in the classroom, and tackling the world’s wicked problems with scientific and engineering solutions. Students enjoy award winning support, teaching quality, and online delivery. Ranked among the best for many years, they will help you make the change you seek to transform your tomorrow.

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A Bachelor degree in a health discipline, and two years of documented relevant professional experience.

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:

Overall 6.5

• Listening minimum- 6.0
• Speaking minimum- 6.0
• Reading  minimum - 6.0
• Writing minimum- 6.0.

Applicants or students that can provide supporting documents to verify they already know, understand and can perform the learning outcomes for one or more units within a Southern Cross course, are eligible to have their prior learning assessed for credit by submitting an application for Advanced Standing.