Master of Health Science
This programme is designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced clinical practice and is also focused on developing leadership potential in nurses and other health professionals.
Students who enroll in the Master of Health Science programme can choose from several specialty pathways including mental health, primary and rural healthcare, acute care, Māori health, older person health and rehabilitation. They also have significant flexibility to choose papers aligned to other areas of interest, like child health, cancer care, death and dying.
From clinical mentors to academic supervisors, Waikato is invested in helping you to set yourself a professional development pathway through postgraduate study. We combine Waikato’s high academic standards with real healthcare settings and our programmes are unique and customisable.
Māori and Pasifika nurses are also able to undertake study that supports and develops their clinical and cultural practice and leadership development using indigenous worldviews.
Registered nurses who enrol in this Masters’ programme may also choose to pursue endorsement as a Designated Nurse Prescriber or registration as a Nurse Practitioner. These are professionally accredited pathways leading to eligibility to apply for endorsement or registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand in addition to an academic qualification.
*Nurse Practitioner and Designated Nurse Prescriber registration and endorsement are subject to Nursing Council approval.
Key information
| Years: | 2 years (full-time study) |
|---|---|
| Study Locations: | Hamilton |
| Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
| Entry Requirements: | Postgraduate International |
| Area of Study: |
Degree Planner
Choose a major for the Master of Health Science
A major is a chosen subject or field of study to represent your principal interest and upon which a large share of your study efforts will be concentrated.
Degree Planner - Master of Health Science:
To complete a Master of Health Science (MHSc) students must complete 240 points at 500 level, including 210 points from the papers listed below. Students must include HLTSC581, HLTSC582, HLTSC583, or HLTSC508 and HLTSC509.
Nurse Practitioner pathway
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC502, HLTSC503, HLTSC507, HLTSC508, HLTSC509 and HLTSC510.
Education pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC502, HLTSC540 and HLTSC541.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level, including either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC581, HLTSC580 and HLTSC582, or HLTSC583. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc.
Clinical pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level including HLTSC501, HLTSC502.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC581, HLTSC580 and HLTSC582, or HLTSC583. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.
Māori, Pacific and Indigenous pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC502, HLTSC550 and HLTSC551.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC581, HLTSC580 and HLTSC582, or HLTSC583. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.
Leadership and Health Management pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC570, HLTSC571, HLTSC572 and HLTSC573.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC581, HLTSC580 and HLTSC582, or HLTSC583. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.
Primary Care pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC560, HLTSC561 and HLTSC562.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC581, HLTSC580 and HLTSC582, or HLTSC583. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.
Mental Health pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC520, HLTSC521 and HLTSC562.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC581, HLTSC580 and HLTSC582, or HLTSC583. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.
Gerontology pathway
For a PGDipHSc, students should complete 120 points at 500 level, including HLTSC501, HLTSC530, HLTSC531 and HLTSC532.
For a MHSc, students should complete 240 points at 500 level from either: HLTSC580 and HLTSC581, HLTSC580 and HLTSC582, or HLTSC583. Included should also be the papers listed for the PGDipHSc. HLTSC504 is recommended for this pathway.Scholarships and prizes
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships