University of Southern Queensland
Master of Nursing (Gerontology)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 3 years
Develop and fine-tune your leadership qualities while studying the biological, psychological and social aspects of ageing.
Course overview
UniSQ's Master of Nursing allows you to apply specialised knowledge, skills and technical abilities across five specialisations. Build specialist skills to review data-based research while identifying and implementing best practice care to improve individual and community health outcomes.
Study the flexible Master of Nursing program online and part-time, progressing your career while fitting study into your life and current nursing occupation. Tailor your enrolment pattern to suit your interests. Focus on the clinical aspects of nursing or select the research pathway to develop enhanced skills in health research.
In the Master of Nursing (Gerontology) program, you will specialise in aged care nursing. You’ll develop a range of skills equipping you to support the specific needs of the elderly successfully. In this program, you will also expand your expertise in the perspectives of end-of-life care and learn to provide professional, tailored care as an aged-care nurse.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
From $1,119 (CSP)
What you will study
To earn this degree, students must complete 12 units.
Core courses
- Contexts of Practice
- Research Project Design
- Health Policy Analysis and Review
- Research Design and Methodologies
- The Law and Health Care Practice or Culture as Determinants of Health
Research course
- Health Masters Project (two units)
Specialisation courses
- Foundations of Gerontology Practice
- Perspectives of Healthy Ageing
- Alzheimer's and Dementia: Contemporary Perspectives
- Perspectives on End-of-Life
Elective course
Students must choose one (1) course from UniSQ's Elective List. For more information, contact the university or visit its website.
Entry requirements
- Completed a three-year bachelor's degree in nursing from an Australian university or equivalent.
- Hold a current professional registration as a Division 1 nurse, or equivalent, with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or a relevant regulatory body in the applicant's home country.
English language requirements
To meet the English language requirements for this degree, we accept the minimum English language proficiency scores from one of the following tests. Your test must be completed within two years of applying to UniSQ.
- IELTS (Academic): Minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in the four components - listening, reading, writing and speaking.
- Pearson Test of English: Minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking.
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum total score of 94 and minimum score in each test section: 24 for listening and reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have previously studied or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. This will help reduce the number of courses you must take to finish your program. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Display an advanced body of seminal, conceptual and data-based knowledge in nursing.
- Communicate advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to health and nursing.
- Review conceptual and data-based literature using cognitive and technical skills to critique, evaluate and identify the best evidence to improve individual, community and population health outcomes.
- Apply evidence-based decision-making to clinical, policy, education and/or practice situations.
- Lead people and projects in diverse situations with high creativity, autonomy and accountability, demonstrating appropriate judgement and responsibility as an expert practitioner.
- Communicate highly in interpersonal, interprofessional and intercultural situations with people of diverse ages, backgrounds and needs.
- Employ advanced skills in competent, caring and professional nursing practice.
Career outcomes
Solidify your career as an aged-care nurse with a master’s degree encompassing hands-on experience and the theoretical skills needed to understand the intricacies of the aged-care sector fully.
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2025: $8,948 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Indicative annual fee in 2025: $26,640 (domestic full-fee paying place)
A student’s annual fee may vary depending on:
- The number of units studied.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- 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.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
- Depending on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
