Master of Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation)

The Master of Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) is aimed at wellness and rehabilitation practitioners and recent graduates (in fields such as chiropractic, health sciences, massage therapy, medicine, naturopathy, nursing, occupational therapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy, sport and exercise) who want to undertake an advanced programme of study in order to prepare for further study or to assist with obtaining a more senior position.

You will learn to extend your capability in critical and professional/clinical reasoning for specialist practice, leadership, and management in professional settings.

The areas of focus in this programme are:

• Completing health, wellness, and rehabilitation research
• Health and wellness
• Holistic wellness
• Nutrition for wellness
• Pain management
• Musculoskeletal and Neurological Rehabilitation
• Cardiovascular, Pulmonary and Metabolic Health
• Female health and wellness
• Wellness for the older population
• Massage therapy for wellness and rehabilitation

The programme will be delivered through a blended learning method. Full-time or part-time on campus options are available as well. Blended delivery allows students to study from anywhere. This course is taught using a mix of online learning, practical experience, classroom teaching and compulsory block courses in Invercargill.

Master of Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) students will undertake a coherent programme of 180 credits approved by the programme manager and will follow one of two pathways.

The first pathway is the Masters of Applied Health Sciences via Research Projects: 

Students will need to complete the following papers:

WR800 Wellness and Rehabilitation Principles

WR810 Research Skills for Professional Practice

WR901 Research Project

and an approved selection of two papers worth 60 credits  from the following list:

WR801 Advanced Practice to Support Older Persons’ Well-being

WR802 Advancing Specialist Practice

WR803 Case Management

WR804 Cardiovascular, Pulmonary and Metabolic Health

WR805 Musculoskeletal and Neurological Rehabilitation

WR807 Special Topic

Elective 30 credits at level 8 or above from a relevant postgraduate programme.

The second pathway is the Masters of Applied Health Sciences via Research Thesis:

Students will need to complete the following papers:

WR800 Wellness and Rehabilitation Principles

WR810 Research Skills for Professional Practice

WR902 Thesis

and an approved one paper from the following list:

WR801 Advanced Practice to Support Older Persons’ Well-being

WR802 Advancing Specialist Practice

WR803 Case Management

WR804 Cardiovascular, Pulmonary and Metabolic Health

WR805 Musculoskeletal and Neurological Rehabilitation

WR807 Special Topic

Paper descriptions:

WR800 Wellness and Rehabilitation Principles

This course enables practitioners to develop knowledge and skills in lifestyle wellness coaching to improve people’s health habits and coach people towards achieving their personal, health and fitness goals.  Practitioners will also apply the principles and practices of an interdisciplinary and client-centered approach to wellness and rehabilitation within their clinical or industry setting to enhance lifestyle management and healthy outcomes.  

WR801 Advanced Practice to Support Older Persons’ Well-being

This paper recognises the diversity of the older adult age group and the complex relationship between determinants of health, health status and well-being.  With the steady increase in the number of older people, many of whom will experience chronic disease states and/or declining functional abilities, it is vital that advanced practitioners are able to assess, plan, deliver and facilitate appropriate evidence-based care and services for this age group. The paper examines the scope of independent/collaborative practice in relation to health promotion, maintenance and restoration of health, preventative care, rehabilitation and/or palliative care and encourages the generation of new approaches to the delivery of expert care in different settings.

WR802 Advancing Specialist Practice

This paper enables students to develop advancing specialist skills within their clinical or industry setting. Through the use of a professional portfolio, students will demonstrate competencies consistent with an advancing specialist practitioner role: leadership; consultancy; involvement in standard and policy setting and monitoring; research and theory utilisation; interdisciplinary collaboration; and expert clinical practice. 

WR803 Case Management

Students will reflect on case management as a complete approach to wellness and rehabilitation with emphasis on empowerment rather than dependence. This paper will enable students to approach wellness and rehabilitation from a holistic perspective, through taking a specific client, or group of clients, with a common health need. Students will consider the role of client assessment, interventions, collaboration, and evaluation of intervention with the emphasis on empowerment of the client. 

WR804 Cardiovascular, Pulmonary and Metabolic Health 

The paper will explore cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic health and wellness. This paper assumes knowledge of the body’s response to normal anatomical/physiological function and directs the student towards a progressive and more critical understanding of altered, complex health states. This will include the multiple interrelationships of physical activity for daily living, exercise physiology and exercise prescription, to complement and inform advanced wellness practice. Students will design and implement quality integrated wellness and rehabilitation programmes for clients with cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic health conditions. Students will reflect on case management as a complete approach to wellness with emphasis on empowerment rather than dependence. 

WR805 Musculoskeletal and Neurological Health 

The paper will explore musculoskeletal and neurologic health and wellness. This paper builds on knowledge of the body’s response to physical activity, normal anatomical/ physiological function and directs the student towards a progressive and more critical understanding of altered, complex health states. This will include the multiple interrelationships of physical activity for daily living, exercise physiology and exercise prescription, to complement and inform advanced wellness practice. Students will design and implement quality integrated wellness and rehabilitation programmes for clients with musculoskeletal and neurological health conditions. Students will reflect on case management as a complete approach to wellness with emphasis on empowerment rather than dependence. 

WR807 Special Topics (2021) 

This paper is used to explore current issues and make use of the particular expertise of individual staff members, including visitors. Students will critically examine current developments and emerging issues in a specified topic area.

Part A: Nutrition for Wellness

The course will investigate current issues of nutrition as therapy for wellness. The emphasis will be on nutrition strategies for specific populations with New Zealand.

Part B: Massage Therapy in Wellness and Rehabilitation

This course critically explores the philosophy of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in wellness and rehabilitation. The role of massage therapy as a body-based CAM therapy is critically examined.  Practitioners will apply the principles and practices of touch and massage therapy to support a client’s wellness.

WR810 Research Skills for Professional Practice

This paper provides an introduction to quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research methodologies used in health sciences.   Students will develop knowledge of fundamental biostatistical concepts and skills of critiquing and evaluating research within their clinical or industry setting.  Students will apply these learnings to the design of a master’s level research project proposal.

WR901 Research Project

The student will develop expertise in conducting applied research that informs professional practice in wellness and rehabilitation.

WR902 Thesis

The student will develop expertise in conducting publishable research about wellness and rehabilitation.