Master of Ageing and Health

The Master of Ageing and Health from Charles Sturt University gives you the advanced skills and knowledge to strengthen the community's capacity to deliver exceptional healthcare and wellbeing outcomes for older people.

This master's degree is available online and focuses on social models of ageing, keeping you up to date with advanced theoretical foundations and practice which you can apply to any workplace.

Flexible online study

The Master of Ageing and Health offers great flexibility combined with a comprehensive learning experience. You can study online while continuing to work, allowing you to apply your knowledge within your current role.

Choice of research or coursework

With Charles Sturt University you'll have the option to complete your masters' degree by research or coursework. In the research strand, you'll develop specific skills in research and evaluation by completing core subjects and a research dissertation facilitating your knowledge contribution to practice. If you choose the coursework strand, you'll take a selection of core and elective subjects to augment your professional skills in human services.

Enhance your skillset

The interdisciplinary nature of this gerontology degree means that it is a great postgraduate study option for people from a range of health professions and disciplines engaged in the aged care sector, including nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and social work. We offer a wide selection of topics relevant to practice so you can study areas of interest to help you achieve your career goals. Why not try our free short course, Understanding Ageing, to get a feel for some of the topics, challenges and opportunities in this dynamic field?

Our academic expertise

Our academics are dedicated professional educators who are highly experienced in their fields, and who provide personal engagement and support to guide you through your studies. People like Dr Belinda Cash and Robin Harvey, who have both received the Distinguished Member award from the Australian Association of Gerontology for their services to the field. Belinda has clinical practice experience in mental health and older adults, and rural carers and services, while Robin's professional background includes experience in the fields of health promotion with older adults, mental health, and age-friendly communities and environments.

Recommended study pattern

The below information is for new students. Current students should select their subjects by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment

Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Health

Master of Ageing and Health - Credit Points: 96

Refer to 1715GT01 Master of Ageing and Health for details

Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Health - Credit Points: 64

Refer to 1616GT01 Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Health for details

Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Health - Credit Points: 32

Core subjects - Credit Points: 32

GER401 Social Determinants of Ageing and Health (8)

GER402 Health, Wellbeing and Family Care in Later Life (8)

GER404 Ageing and Professional Practice (8)

GER406 Issues in Dementia Care and Communication (8)

Master of Ageing and Health

Master of Ageing and Health - Credit Points: 96

Essential set - Core subjects - Credit Points: 32

GER401 Social Determinants of Ageing and Health (8)

GER402 Health, Wellbeing and Family Care in Later Life (8)

GER404 Ageing and Professional Practice (8)

GER406 Issues in Dementia Care and Communication (8)

Essential set - Restricted electives - Credit Points: 64

Masters students select either the Professional Practice OR Research/Policy, completing one of the options detailed below.

Professional Practice - Compulsory subjects - Credit Points: 40

ETH402 Vulnerability and the Ethics of Intervention (8)

GER501 Contemporary Issues in Gerontology (8)

GER502 End of Life and Palliative Care Issues in Ageing (8)

GER503 Leadership in Complex Aged Care Practice (8)

SPE502 Social Work and Social Policy Practice (8)

Professional Practice - Restricted electives - Credit Points: 24

Students select SWK504 or HLT505 and two additional subjects from following. Students with a Registered Nurse qualification may also choose a subject from nursing as an elective with the Course Directors approval. Other electives will be considered with the Course Directors approval.

SWK504 Human Services Research Methods (8)

OR

HLT505 Research practice in healthcare (8)

HSM404 Management and Leadership of Health and Aged Care Services (8)

HCS523 Leadership in Human Services Practice (8)

SOC401 Advanced Social Inequality (8)

WEL424 Loss, Grief and Palliative Care for Older People (8)

WEL429 Indigenous Australian Practice for Human Service Workers (8)

WEL523 Contemporary Theories for Case Management (8)

Research/Policy - Compulsory subjects - Credit Points: 48

ETH402 Vulnerability and the Ethics of Intervention (8)

GER501 Contemporary Issues in Gerontology (8)

GER503 Leadership in Complex Aged Care Practice (8)

SWK500 Social Work and Human Services Dissertation (16)

SPE502 Social Work and Social Policy Practice (8)

Research/Policy - Restricted electives - Credit Points: 16

Students undertaking this research/policy strand can select an elective that supports their research focus.

SWK504 Human Services Research Methods (8)

OR

HLT505 Research practice in healthcare (8)

XUN008 Unrestricted elective (8)

OR

XRT008 Restricted elective (8)

Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Health [Exit point only] - Credit Points: 64

Refer to Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Health [Exit point only] for details

Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Health - Credit Points: 32

Refer to 4301GE01 Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Health for details

Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Health [Exit point only]

Master of Ageing and Health - Credit Points: 96

Refer to 1715GT01 Master of Ageing and Health for details

Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Health [Exit point only] - Credit Points: 64

Essential set - Core subjects - Credit Points: 32

GER401 Social Determinants of Ageing and Health (8)

GER402 Health, Wellbeing and Family Care in Later Life (8)

GER404 Ageing and Professional Practice (8)

GER406 Issues in Dementia Care and Communication (8)

Essential set - Restricted electives - Credit Points: 32

Students select 4 subject from either the Professional Practice or Research/Policy stream.

Professional Practice

SWK504 Human Services Research Methods (8)

HLT505 Research practice in healthcare (8)

HSM404 Management and Leadership of Health and Aged Care Services (8)

HCS523 Leadership in Human Services Practice (8)

SOC401 Advanced Social Inequality (8)

WEL424 Loss, Grief and Palliative Care for Older People (8)

WEL429 Indigenous Australian Practice for Human Service Workers (8)

WEL523 Contemporary Theories for Case Management (8)

Research/Policy

SWK504 Human Services Research Methods (8)

HLT505 Research practice in healthcare (8)

Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Health - Credit Points: 32

Refer to 4301GE01 Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Health for details

Award requirements

As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.

Master of Ageing and Health

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 96 points.

Exit points

Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Health - exit point only

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $12,632

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.

Learn more about CSU.

Explore CSU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

34

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

37

Applicants for the Master of Ageing and Health must meet the following requirements.

• A Bachelor's Degree (or AQF equivalent) in Human Services, Social Work, Social Welfare, Social Science, Health or relevant undergraduate degree in humanities and health.

OR

• Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Health.

Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. Refer to http://futurestudents.csu.edu.au/apply/english-language for the specific requirements. This will apply to both domestic and international applicants. Offer may be conditional on ELP but applicants will be required to provide evidence of meeting these requirements before the start of studies.

If you’ve studied before, you may be able to fast-track your postgraduate degree with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study, you could be awarded credit for your postgraduate degree. Get in touch to see if you’re eligible for credit based on your previous qualifications or industry experience.

Applicants with relevant post-graduate qualifications may be eligible for credit.

Credit will be awarded for all four (4) subjects completed in the Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Health.

Credit will be awarded to students who have undertaken the course offered through the Wangaratta Study Centre (CSU) Leadership in Healthy Ageing. Students must provide evidence of course work completion.