Graduate Diploma of Health Research

The Graduate Diploma of Health Research is offered full-time on-campus or full-time and part-time online. The online program (for off-campus and/or online study outside Australia, or in Australia on a visa other than a student visa), is available for students who meet specific criteria as outlined below. Students who wish to complete the program part-time will be required to consult with the School Advisor to determine the appropriate program structure.

Students enrolling in the Graduate Diploma of Health Research are required to complete 40 credit points of coursework and a 40 credit point dissertation (research thesis).

On-campus coursework is mainly conducted at the Gold Coast campus, with some courses offered at Nathan or Southbank campus - most, but not all, courses are also available in online (off-campus) mode. The dissertation component may require you to attend the Gold Coast, Logan, Nathan or South Bank campuses and/or off campus locations, dependent on your project and/or supervisor location.

Coursework: The coursework will provide critical evaluation of research and presentation, develop the student's knowledge and understanding of statistical analyses techniques as applied to scientific research and develop an awareness of research proposal design and background.

Dissertation: Students are required to find a suitable supervisor for their research project prior to submitting their application for admission into the program. Students who are unable to locate a suitable supervisor should discuss their proposed research project with their School Advisor.

During enrolment in the dissertation component of this program, it is expected that students will be able to work independently for most of the time. The requirement for on-campus attendance is relatively flexible. However, students will be required to meet regularly with their supervisor and it is recommended that students discuss the on-campus attendance requirements with their supervisor prior to the start of the dissertation.

Where a project requires on-campus laboratory work, students are required to undertake their research at an appropriate laboratory according to the directions of the student's supervisor, School Adviser and/or Program Director. Students are to discuss required workplace health and safety training with their supervisors prior to the commencement of laboratory work. Students who fail to undertake the prescribed workplace health and safety training will not gain entry into laboratories.

Online offering: The online offering is only available for International students studying in their home country or in Australia on a visa other than a student visa. As completion of a dissertation in distance mode may not be appropriate in some cases, applicants who wish to complete the program online will need to obtain the written approval of the relevant Health Group School, and the proposed Supervisor, and submit this documentation with your application. See the `How to apply' section for details. Students studying online will be able to access course materials, participate in learning activities, lodge assessment items and access support services via Learning@Griffith. Access to a reliable computer with internet connection and capability for virtual videoconferencing (such as Skype or similar programs) is essential.

You will be able to plan and conduct research in health-related disciplines. You will also be prepared for professional employment in private, not-for-profit and public sector research positions. As a graduate, you will be eligible to apply for admission to higher degree research studies, which can lead to a high level research career.

Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma of Health Research (and have achieved a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher with a grade of 5 in the dissertation component) are eligible to be admitted into the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) program subject to fulfilment of requirements for candidature as specified in the Higher Degree Research Policy and successful completion of the confirmation procedure.

Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma of Health Research (and have achieved a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher with a grade of 6 in the dissertation component) are eligible to be admitted into the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program subject to fulfilment of requirements for candidature as specified in the Higher Degree Research Policy and successful completion of the confirmation procedure.