Course overview
- Description
This course provides advanced academic and professional preparation for health professionals who design, lead, and evaluate education in clinical, academic, and health system contexts. It develops graduates' capacity to integrate advanced theory, evidence, and reflective practice to address complex challenges in health professions education.
The course is structured around three Areas of Specialisation—Research Advanced Practice, Educational Leadership in Health Professions Education, and Clinical Education Advanced Practice—allowing students to develop depth of expertise aligned with their professional roles and career goals. Through their selected specialisation, students engage with advanced pedagogical theory, assessment and evaluation frameworks, and research methodologies relevant to health professions education.
Learning is situated across clinical, classroom, and online environments, reflecting the diverse settings of contemporary health education. A strong emphasis is placed on scholarly inquiry, culminating in the planning and conduct of an independent education focused dissertation that aligns with the student's chosen specialisation.
Graduates of this course are prepared to exercise advanced professional judgement, autonomy, and leadership in educational practice, contribute to evidence informed innovation, and advance the quality of health professions education at individual, organisational, and system levels.
Due to the structure of the course, International Students can only commence in Semester 1, February, each year.
- Course title
- Master of Health Professions Education (coursework and dissertation)
- Award abbreviation
- MHPEd
- Course code
- 90570
- Course type
- Master's degree by coursework and dissertation
- Status
- Current / 2027
- Administered by
- Allied Health
- CRICOS code
- 058208E
Course details
- Intake periods
- Beginning of year only
- Attendance type
- Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
- Credit points required
- 72
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester. - Standard course duration
- 1.5 years
- Time limit
- 5 years
- Delivery mode
- Multi-mode
- Locations offered
- UWA (Perth)
- Domestic fee type
- Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP
- Available to international students
- Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
- Course Coordinator(s)
- Professor Sandra Carr
- Fees
- Visit the fees calculator.
Enquiries and course advice
- Note
All coursework (48 points) is completed before commencing the dissertation
Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.
Example Study Plan
See study plans for more information.
Specialisations
SP-HPAPC Clinical Education Advanced Practice
SP-HPAPL Educational Leadership Advanced Practice
SP-HPAPR Research Advanced Practice
Course structure
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
- T1
- Trimester 1
- T3
- Trimester 3
- N/A
- not available in 2027 – may be available in 2028 or 2029
- NS
- non-standard teaching period
All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.
Students must take:
- all core units (18 points)
- 30 points of option units chosen from Groups A and B
- all units from their chosen specialisation (36 points)
Please note that students must complete 48 points in the course before commencing their dissertation.
Take all units (18 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | IMED5801 | Principles of Teaching and Learning | None | Unit is available for online students using asynchronous learning. Students enrolled face to face attend 6 x seminars for two hours and complete the online activities |
| S1 | IMED5802 | Principles of Assessment and Evaluation |
| Unit is available online flexible or face-to-face. Students enrolled face to face attend 6 x 2hr workshops and complete the online modules and learning activities. |
| S1, S2 | IMED5803 | Introduction to Research in Health Professions Education |
| Semester 1 - Unit is available face to face or online flexible. Semester 2 - Unit is online flexible |
Group A
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | IMED5804 | Clinical Teaching and Supervision | None | This unit is available online in asynchronous format of learning. The unit is also offered face to face through three x 8 hour workshops. |
| S2 | IMED5805 | Innovation and Contemporary Issues in Health Professions Education |
| This class is conducted entirely online |
| S1 | IMED5806 | Simulation and Interprofessional Learning in Health Professions Education |
| Face to face involves a compulsory two day face to face workshop, with the remaining content delivered online using asynchronous learning methods. Online flexible is delivered online using asynchronous learning methods |
| N/A | IMED5810 | Program Evaluation |
| |
| S2 | IMED5811 | Professional Portfolio |
| This class is conducted entirely online |
| N/A | IMED5813 | Health Humanities: Education and Research | None | If enrolled on-campus, the unit will be offered via 2, 8 hour workshops face to face If enrolled online only, there is not required face to face contact |
| S2 | IMED5831 | Advanced Simulation in Health Professional Education | Face to face involves a compulsory two day face to face workshop, with the remaining content delivered online using asynchronous learning methods. Online flexible is delivered online using asynchronous learning methods. | |
| N/A | IMED5832 | Interprofessional Education | None | 2 full-day workshops followed by 10 hours divided between on-campus and off-campus activities throughout the semester |
Group B
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | EDUC5608 | Integrating Pedagogy and Technology |
| 4 days of intensive teaching |
| S1 | EDUC5610 | Leading People, Culture and Change in Education | None | lectures/seminars: 2 hours per week (for 12 weeks) |
| S2 | EDUC5612 | Educational Leadership for Equity and Social Justice | None | seminars: 2 hours per week for 12 weeks; offshore as required |
| S1 | EDUC5633 | Educational Research Analysis | None | Up to 30 hours |
| S1 | EDUC5678 | Improving Learning and Teaching in the Curriculum | lectures: 2.5 hours per week (for 10 weeks); offshore as required | |
| T1, T3 | MGMT5501 | Organisational Behaviour |
| for trimester teaching periods—lectures/seminars/workshops: up to 3 hours per week; for non-standard teaching period—lectures/seminars/workshops: up to 5 hours per week over 7 weeks; online-nil |
| S2 | MGMT5508 | Organisational Behaviour and Leadership | None | 1-hour lecture and 2-hour workshop per week for 12 weeks |
| S1, S2 | PUBH4401 | Biostatistics I |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials: 1.5 hours per week. On campus flexible students are only required to attend campus for their in-person (invigilated) exam during the University Exam period |
| S1 | PUBH5705 | Health Program Evaluation |
| lectures/tutorials 3.5 hours |
| S2 | PUBH5752 | Health Systems and Economics | None | lectures/tutorials: 3 hours per week |
| NS | PUBH5763 | Health Leadership and Management | None | One week full time, plus pre-intensive week readings. |
| S2 | PUBH5805 | Qualitative Research Methods in Health | None | seminar: 3 hours per week |
Clinical Education Advanced Practice specialisation
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | IMED5804 | Clinical Teaching and Supervision | None | This unit is available online in asynchronous format of learning. The unit is also offered face to face through three x 8 hour workshops. |
| S1 | IMED5806 | Simulation and Interprofessional Learning in Health Professions Education |
| Face to face involves a compulsory two day face to face workshop, with the remaining content delivered online using asynchronous learning methods. Online flexible is delivered online using asynchronous learning methods |
Take unit(s) to a value of 24 points:
Note: After completing all 48 points of coursework, take either IMED5870 for full-time students or IMED5871 and IMED5872 for part-time students
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | IMED5870 | Dissertation Clinical Education (full-time) (24 points) |
| 2 hours/week |
| S1, S2 | IMED5871 | Dissertation Clinical Education 1 (part-time) (12 points) |
| 2 hours/week |
| S1, S2 | IMED5872 | Dissertation Clinical Education 2 (part-time) (12 points) |
| 2 hours/week |
Educational Leadership Advanced Practice specialisation
Take all units (6 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1, T3 | MGMT5501 | Organisational Behaviour |
| for trimester teaching periods—lectures/seminars/workshops: up to 3 hours per week; for non-standard teaching period—lectures/seminars/workshops: up to 5 hours per week over 7 weeks; online-nil |
take 6 points from this group:
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | EDUC5610 | Leading People, Culture and Change in Education | None | lectures/seminars: 2 hours per week (for 12 weeks) |
| S2 | MGMT5508 | Organisational Behaviour and Leadership | None | 1-hour lecture and 2-hour workshop per week for 12 weeks |
| NS | PUBH5763 | Health Leadership and Management | None | One week full time, plus pre-intensive week readings. |
Take unit(s) to a value of 24 points:
Note: After completing all 48 points of coursework, take either IMED5880 for full-time students or IMED5881 and IMED5882 for part-time students
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | IMED5880 | Dissertation Educational Leadership (full-time) (24 points) |
| 2 hours/week |
| S1, S2 | IMED5881 | Dissertation Ed Leadership 1 (part-time) (12 points) |
| 2 hours/week |
| S1, S2 | IMED5882 | Dissertation Ed Leadership 2 (part-time) (12 points) |
| 2 hours/week |
Research Advanced Practice specialisation
Take all units (6 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | IMED5805 | Innovation and Contemporary Issues in Health Professions Education |
| This class is conducted entirely online |
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | PUBH4401 | Biostatistics I |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials: 1.5 hours per week. On campus flexible students are only required to attend campus for their in-person (invigilated) exam during the University Exam period |
| S1 | PUBH5705 | Health Program Evaluation |
| lectures/tutorials 3.5 hours |
| S2 | PUBH5805 | Qualitative Research Methods in Health | None | seminar: 3 hours per week |
Take unit(s) to a value of 24 points:
Note: After completing all 48 points of coursework, take either IMED5890 for full-time students or IMED5891 and IMED5892 for part-time students
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | IMED5890 | Dissertation Research (full-time) (24 points) |
| 2 hours/week |
| S1, S2 | IMED5891 | Dissertation Research 1 (part-time) (12 points) |
| 2 hours/week |
| S1, S2 | IMED5892 | Dissertation Research 2 (part-time) (12 points) |
| 2 hours/week |
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Rules
Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures
1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.
(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules
2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).
(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.
English Language competency requirements
3. To be eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's Higher English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework Appendix:
Admission Schedule A: English Language Competence Requirements.
Part 1: Australian Secondary Qualifications.
Part 4: Previous Degree Studies.
Part 7: Professional Registration.
Part 8.2: Tests of English.
Admission requirements
4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a degree (bachelor, master or doctoral) in a health, biomedical or biological sciences-related discipline, or an equivalent qualification; or
(c) (i) completed the Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education or Graduate Diploma in Health Professions Education at UWA; and
(ii) the equivalent of a UWA mark of at least 65 per cent in all of the three core units.
Admission ranking and selection
5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
Articulations and exit awards
6.(1) The following courses form part of an articulated sequence:
- 90210 Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education (24 points)
- 90570 Master of Health Professions Education (72 points)
- 91340 Graduate Diploma in Health Professions Education (48 points)
(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Health Professions Education course before completing it, but after fulfilling the requirements of a lesser award in the above sequence, may apply for the relevant award.
Course structure
7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 72 points which must include course core units and specialisation units. The course comprises the following specialisations:
- SP-HPAPC Clinical Education Advanced Practice
- SP-HPAPL Educational Leadership Advanced Practice
- SP-HPAPR Research Advanced Practice
(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.
Satisfactory progress
8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.
9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.
Progress status
10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.
(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—
(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';
(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';
(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.
11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.
Award with distinction
12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—
(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;
(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;
and
(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.
Deferrals
13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).
Additional rules
Prerequisites
14. Unless the School permits otherwise in recognition of exceptional circumstances, students are required to complete all 48 points of coursework and achieve a mark of at least 65 per cent in each of the three core units in order to enrol in the Master of Health Professions Education dissertation unit(s).
Enrolment
15. Unless the School permits, a student must enrol in units to the value of at least 12 points in any two consecutive semesters.
Examination of dissertation
16. The Course Coordinator and the Unit Coordinator of the Dissertation units appoint examiners, consider the examiners' reports on students' dissertations and make the final recommendation to the Board of Examiners in the School of Health and Clinical Sciences.
Alternate exit requirements (Graduate Diploma)
17. Students seeking to exit this course with the award of Graduate Diploma in Health Professions Education must complete at least 24 points of study contributing to that award within this course.
Recognition of Prior Learning
18. Recognition of prior learning is available, as per the University Policy. This may be obtained at admission or during the course.
Specialisation
19. Students are to nominate ONE specialisation only and must nominate the specialisation prior to commencing the Dissertation unit(s). The nominated specialisation will be recorded by the Dissertation Unit Coordinator and the assigned supervisor will ensure that the Dissertation topic aligns with the named specialisation.