Curtin University
Master of Advanced Practice (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Practice)
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Strengthen your assessment, clinical decision-making and evidence-informed practice capabilities to support holistic care for people with wounds, ostomies and continence needs.
Course overview
The growing need for specialist wound, ostomy and continence services requires nurses who can assess complex care needs and apply evidence-informed approaches to prevention, treatment and ongoing management. The Master of Advanced Practice (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Practice) supports nurses seeking to extend their specialist clinical capabilities.
You will examine the core concepts and pathophysiological processes associated with diseases and injuries relevant to wound, ostomy and continence practice. Your studies will develop advanced knowledge of assessment, management and healing, alongside clinical decision-making, patient advocacy and holistic specialty practice.
The course also explores evidence-informed clinical practice, healthcare policy and strategies for translating evidence into practice. Two weeks of specialty clinical practice provide an opportunity to consolidate your knowledge while developing interprofessional learning and collaboration. You will also examine health research methods and complete an applied research project in your area of specialisation.
Delivered at Curtin Perth, the course combines advanced specialist practice with applied research and clinical learning. Depending on your prior qualifications, the Master of Advanced Practice can be completed over one or two years of full-time equivalent study, while the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Practice specialisation is undertaken part-time and includes two weeks of specialty clinical practice. By combining specialist knowledge, clinical practice and applied research, graduates can strengthen their contribution to evidence-informed decision-making and holistic wound, ostomy and continence care.
Key facts
July, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Master of Advanced Practice (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Practice Specialisation), you must successfully complete units totalling 200 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 25 credit points.
Core units
- Evidence-Informed Clinical Practice
- Health Research Professional Project (50 credit points)
- Research and Evaluation in Health
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Practice Specialisation
- Foundations of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing
- WOCP Specialty Clinical Practice 1
- Fundamentals of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing
- WOCP Specialty Clinical Practice 2
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To be eligible for this course, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor's degree in nursing or equivalent AND have current registration as a comprehensive or general nurse in Division One with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
- Applicants must also hold three (3) years of experience in their related field post-bachelor's degree.
Entry to this course is competitive, and as such, the course's weighted average of your prior degree may be used to determine entry.
English language requirements
Curtin requires applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency. You can meet this requirement by providing evidence of one of the following:
- An IELTS Academic overall band score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
- An alternative English language test accepted by Curtin, provided you achieve the required equivalent scores.
- An eligible previous qualification or another form of English language evidence accepted by Curtin.
Contact the university or visit its website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Apply discipline knowledge, principles and concepts per relevant practice codes, standards and legislation.
- Apply critical thinking and reflective practice to clinical practice to generate innovative solutions.
- Access, evaluate and synthesise information relevant to clinical leadership and promoting optimal client outcomes.
- Communicate effectively and collaborate with clients, carers, families, communities, and the interdisciplinary health care team.
- Utilise technology safely and appropriately for the diagnosis and management of clients.
- Participate in research, critically appraise research findings and incorporate evidence-based knowledge into clinical practice.
- Relate policy, practices and standards to international trends.
- Demonstrate cultural competence in caring for all clients, families and communities.
- Demonstrate professional, legal and ethical accountability within the scope of practice for safe health care delivery.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $29,330 (Full-fee paying place)
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
