Master of Adolescent Health & Welfare

The Master of Adolescent Health & Welfare program will provide a unique learning opportunity for students to develop in-depth knowledge and advanced skills in the specialist discipline of adolescent health and well being. The research component (subject and thesis) will require students to propose a research question, choose and design a methodology for a relevant adolescent health issue. They then conduct the investigation under the guidance of a supervisor and apply what is learnt to their own workplace and practice. This research cycle, from conception to implementation and adaptation, serves as a rigorous exercise in academic excellence.

• Further develop and apply critically reflective, evidence-informed approaches to adolescent health and welfare practice, program development and policy analysis;
• Analyse and critically evaluate contemporary theories of adolescence and adolescent development (including historical and cultural contexts), to enhance own practice in working with young people, families, communities and agencies;
• identify national and international adolescent health issues and trends and relate these to the broader socio-environmental contexts impacting on the health and wellbeing of young people;
• identify the principles associated with 'micro' and 'macro' approaches to practice and use these to develop enhanced prevention and intervention strategies when working with young people, families, communities and agencies;
• analyse, evaluate and apply ecological models of resiliency, risk and protection in adolescent health;
• engage young people, families and other professionals in the development and implementation of strategies to promote adolescent health and wellbeing;
• Demonstrate a commitment to critical enquiry and evidence-based practice so as to maintain currency with contemporary debates and continuously inform practice;
• Analyse and reflect on national and international adolescent health issues and trends as they relate to particular communities and professional practice settings;
• Further develop and apply principles associated with 'micro' and 'macro' approaches to practice in adolescent health and welfare;
• Plan, implement and evaluate effective prevention, early intervention and intervention strategies relevant to work with young people.

Six core subjects and eight electives from lists below. Students have the option of exiting at a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma level.

Core Subjects

Electives Group 1

Choose 4 subjects (50 credit points) from the following list of electives:

Electives Group 2

Choose 4 subjects (50 credit points) from the following list of electives:

• A degree in education, teaching, youth work, health science, health/welfare-related disciplines or sociology
• Limited places are available for those without tertiary qualifications but with significant relevant work experience (please contact the Course Coordinator)

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.
It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

In addition to the objectives outlined above, the Master of Adolescent Health & Welfare is designed to enable students to:

• Further develop and apply holistic, evidence informed approaches to practice with young people in a cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary context;
• Develop the ability to design and undertake advanced research at a postgraduate level;
• Prepare an adolescent health minor thesis that contributes to our understanding of young peoples health and wellbeing.