Charles Sturt University

What you'll study

This program explores ageing from multidisciplinary perspectives including biology, clinical care, public health, ethics and social policy. Core study areas typically include the biology and physiology of ageing, chronic disease management in older adults, geriatric assessment and rehabilitation, palliative and end-of-life care, mental health and cognition in later life, and models of care for community and residential aged care settings.

The course combines coursework units and a substantial applied component. Typical modules and topics you can expect are:

• Foundations of Gerontology – theories of ageing, demographic trends and social determinants of health.
• Clinical Assessment and Management – comprehensive geriatric assessment, medication management and frailty.
• Chronic Disease and Multimorbidity – management strategies for common long-term conditions affecting older people.
• Mental Health, Cognition and Dementia – recognition, intervention and support for cognitive impairment and mood disorders.
• Palliative and End-of-Life Care – principles of comfort care, advance care planning and family-centred practice.
• Health Promotion and Ageing Well – prevention, physical activity, nutrition and social engagement to support healthy ageing.
• Leadership, Policy and Service Design – governance, quality improvement, workforce issues and models of integrated care.
• Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice – epidemiology, qualitative and quantitative methods, and a capstone research project or practicum.

Teaching methods include online lectures, case-based learning, simulation and supervised clinical or community placements. Students can usually choose a research-focused pathway or a professional practice pathway depending on their career goals.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor degree in a health, allied health, nursing or related discipline, or to have substantial relevant professional experience in health or aged care. Equivalent qualifications and significant work experience in aged care, community services or primary care may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English. You may also be asked to provide a curriculum vitae, a statement of purpose outlining your reasons for study and, where applicable, evidence of current professional registration or employer support for placements. Specific admission pathways, credit for prior learning and articulation from postgraduate diplomas may be available; contact Charles Sturt University for assessed eligibility.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for specialist roles across clinical, community and policy settings. Typical career destinations include:

• Advanced clinical roles in geriatric medicine, nursing and allied health (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, speech pathology).
• Case management and care coordination roles in community, primary care and residential aged care.
• Service management, quality improvement and policy development for aged-care providers and health departments.
• Health promotion and community program leadership focusing on healthy ageing and chronic disease prevention.
• Research positions or progression to higher research degrees focusing on gerontology, ageing policy or clinical trials.

Because the program emphasises applied skills and evidence-based practice, graduates are equipped to lead practice change, contribute to multidisciplinary teams and implement models of care that improve outcomes for older people.

Why study at Charles Sturt University

Charles Sturt University offers an applied and flexible approach to postgraduate health education, with strong emphasis on workplace relevance and rural and regional health needs. The university has established partnerships with health services and aged-care providers that support placement opportunities and real-world projects.

Key advantages include a mix of online and face-to-face learning options to suit working professionals, access to simulated clinical learning environments, and supervision from academic staff with clinical and research expertise in gerontology, chronic illness and community care. The program’s focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, leadership and research equips graduates to respond to the complex challenges of an ageing population across diverse care settings.