UQ holds Information evening on graduate entry Masters programs

Are you interested in a health-related career and already hold a University degree?

The University's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is holding an information evening on graduate entry programs in Audiology, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Pathology tonight, Wednesday, August 2.

The information evening will commence at 6.30pm in Room 304 of the Therapies Building (Building No. 84) at UQ St Lucia.

Head of School Professor Bruce Murdoch said the University was introducing a suite of full time, full fee paying postgraduate entry Masters programs over the period 2000-2001.

"The School has offered a graduate entry Masters level program in Audiology for several years, with HECS places available, but not an undergraduate program," he said.

"We took our first intake in the Master of Occupational Therapy Studies in January this year and Speech Pathology will commence in December 2000. Physiotherapy will be available from December 2001. These are accelerated programs, taking two years full-time (some with summer semesters included), compared with the current four year undergraduate courses."

Professor Murdoch said the University had longstanding undergraduate programs in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Pathology. These attracted some of the most highly qualified school leavers, requiring OP scores of 1 for Physiotherapy and 3 for the other disciplines.

He said the new programs aimed to equip graduate entry students with the theoretical knowledge, clinical skills and professional attributes necessary for a career in one of these health professions. The Masters programs led to direct entry into the relevant profession upon graduation.

"The departments offering these programs are leading educators in their respective disciplines and have state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. They have strong international reputations for the quality of their graduates and research output," he said. "Employment opportunities in these professions are excellent and diverse."

They included: public and private hospitals, medical rehabilitation units, community health centres, nursing homes, psychiatric clinics, hostels and rehabilitation units, vocational rehabilitation centres, supported accommodation, employment, and leisure services for people with intellectual disability, regular and special schools, centres of tertiary education, independent living centres, workplace health and safety units, research institutions, and private practice.

People wishing to attend the information evening can contact School secretary, Barbara Parker on 3365 4753 or Email: secretary.shrs@mailbox.uq.edu.au to register.

Media: For further information contact Professor Bruce Murdoch telephone 07 3365 4753

Enquiries can also be directed to communications@mailbox.uq.edu.au