Western Sydney University
Master of Child and Family Health (Karitane)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 3 years
This program equips professionals with advanced expertise to support children and families' health, development and well-being.
Course overview
The Master of Child and Family Health (Karitane) aims to provide registered nurses and registered midwives with theoretical knowledge and associated skills that prepare them to work autonomously and across various clinical settings with children and families. Graduates can apply evidence-based practice, concepts and analysis and lead practice to promote optimal health outcomes for children and families. This will involve the design, implementation and evaluation of advanced clinical nursing care systems and the analysis and synthesis of nursing concepts that will lead to a basis for advanced nursing practice and the facilitation of change.
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
What you will study
Qualification for this award requires successfully completing 120 credit points, including the subjects listed below. Unless otherwise indicated, each subject is valued at 10 credit points.
Core subjects (110 credit points)
- Child and Family Health: Professional Practice and Frameworks
- Child and Family Health Practice: Supporting Growth and Development
- Clinical Practice: Infant and Child Nutrition and Feeding
- Perinatal, Infant and Child Mental Health
- Healthy Families and Communities
- Contemporary Issues in Child and Adolescent Health
- Evidence-Based Health Care
- Primary Health Care and Its Applications
- Leadership in Clinical Practice
- Capstone Experience in Health Care (20 credit points)
Elective (10 credit points)
Select one subject from the following:
- Health Promotion and the Nurse
- Building Organisational Capacity in Health Care
- Leadership for Quality and Safety in Health Care
- Clinical Teaching for Learning
Entry requirements
- Registered nurse or midwife (currently registered to practice with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Nursing and Midwifery) or eligibility for the same, or certificate of nursing registration, within the last five years, in their own country. Any other registration type (non-practising, limited, or student) is unacceptable for this course.
- Completion of an undergraduate degree in Nursing or Midwifery.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit for Prior Learning is the recognition of prior learning in terms of experience and/or studies. When you apply for Credit for Prior Learning, the university will assess your prior learning. It may award you Credit for Prior Learning in the program you are currently studying in recognition of what you have achieved. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Graduates of this program can look forward to enhanced professional status and career opportunities in their chosen fields, including:
- Primary settings, including home visiting and centre-based services.
- Secondary-level service delivery includes family care centres, sustained home visiting programs and outreach specialist services.
- Tertiary level service delivery, including residential family care facilities.
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2025: $4,627 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
A student's annual fee may vary depending on:
- The number of subjects studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of subjects.
- 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 subject 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.
