HIV, STIs and Sexual Health
Graduate Certificate in Medicine (HIV, STIs and Sexual Health)
Graduate Diploma in Medicine (HIV, STIs and Sexual Health)
Master of Medicine (HIV, STIs and Sexual Health)
Master of Medicine (Advanced) (HIV, STIs and Sexual Health)
Graduate Certificate in Science in Medicine (HIV, STIs and Sexual Health)
Graduate Diploma in Science in Medicine (HIV, STIs and Sexual Health)
Master of Science in Medicine (HIV, STIs and Sexual Health)
Master of Science in Medicine (Advanced) (HIV, STIs and Sexual Health)
| Graduate Certificate | Graduate Diploma | Master | Master (Advanced) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course code (degree in Medicine) |
GCMEDICI2HSX |
GCMEDICI2HSX |
MAMEDICI4HSX |
MAMEDADV1HSX |
| Course code (degree in Science in Medicine) | GCSCMEDI1HSX | GCSCMEDI1HSX | MASCMEDI1HSX | MASCMEAD1HSX |
|
Available Pathways: Clinical Medicine |
Available Pathways: Clinical Medicine |
Available Pathways: Clinical Medicine |
Available Pathways: Clinical Medicine |
|
| CRICOS code | Medicine: 083649E Science in Medicine: 083650A |
Medicine: 083647G Science in Medicine: 083648F |
Medicine: 083643M Science in Medicine: 083721B |
Medicine: 083644K Science in Medicine: 083646G |
| Degree Abbreviation |
GradCertMed(HSSH) |
GradDipMed(HSSH) GradDipScMed(HSSH) |
MMed(HSSH) MScMed(HSSH) |
MMed(Adv)(HSSH) MScMed(Adv)(HSSH) |
| Credit points required to complete | 24 | 36 | 48 | 60 |
| Time to complete full-time | 0.5 years | 1 year | 1 year | 1.5 years |
| Time to complete part-time | 1 - 2 years | 1.5 - 3 years | 2 - 4 years | 2 - 5 years |
Overview
The Postgraduate Program in HIV, STIs and Sexual Health provides a comprehensive, evidence-based, inter-professional and research-informed learning experience that meets the needs of Australian and international students working in a range of disciplines related to HIV, STIs and Sexual Health. It also creates opportunities to seamlessly transition to research candidature.
This unique Program enables students to specialise in one of five Pathways: Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Counselling (Sexology/Sex Therapy), Laboratory, and Public Health. This Program is of interest to a range of students, from those who already work in HIV, STIs and Sexual Health / Sexology, as well as those who want to develop expertise in the field.
Sexual health is not merely the absence of disease and requires a holistic understanding of sexual health, sexuality, sexual function, sex education, reproductive health and sexual health counselling/sex therapy. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are major public health concerns in developed and developing countries, with millions of adults and children becoming infected each year. Effective prevention, diagnosis, management and surveillance of HIV and STIs and other Sexual Health issues require a thorough understanding of issues such as psychosocial contexts, microbiology, immunology, diagnostics, therapeutics, harm reduction strategies and program delivery.
Units of study provide professionals with foundational competence in medicine, nursing, laboratory, sexual health counselling/sex therapy and public health Pathways. An additional wide range of electives creates opportunities for candidates to further explore related areas of interest. In addition, the inter-professional structure encourages students to develop effective multidisciplinary collaborative approaches and prepares them for work in a wide variety of healthcare settings.
All units of study are founded on evidence-based practice and focus strongly on critical review of recent literature. Upon successful completion of their coursework, strong candidates are encouraged to proceed to a research degree.
Our Postgraduate Program in HIV, STIs and Sexual Health is designed to improve knowledge and skills in sexual health and apply these in practice in their respective professional domains.
Course outcomes
Graduates will be able to:
- Develop high levels of knowledge and appropriate skills in dealing with the psychosocial contexts, effective prevention strategies and management techniques for HIV, STIs and other Sexual Health and Sex Therapy issues;
- Work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams on the practical challenges faced by professionals working in these areas;
- Acquire competencies recognised as essential components in the professional training in sexual health medicine, sexual health nursing, sexual health counselling/sex therapy, laboratory or public health; and
- Critically evaluate relevant research publications and contribute to the growing body of evidence-based, effective interventions.
Accreditation
Components of the degree count towards formal study requirements for the Advanced Training of the Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Completing the Master’s in the Sexual Health Counselling/Sex Therapy Pathway meets the sexological education and training requirements for professional accreditation with the Society of Australian Sexologists (SAS), ASSERT NSW and American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).
Further information
The program is offered as either a coursework-only degree or as a double degree (for international students only - see Double Degree for further information) with the coursework-only Master degree followed by a research master's degree (Master of Philosophy). Domestic students enrol in the separate degrees. Information on the Master of Philosophy is available in the Postgraduate Research Studies chapter.
To qualify for the coursework only degrees, students must complete coursework equivalent to 24 credit points to qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate; 36 credit points to qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma; 48 credit points to qualify for the Master; or 60 credit points to qualify for the Master (Advanced). Students complete these degrees in one of the following Pathways:
Many of the units of study are available either face-to-face and/or online and are complimented by intensive teaching blocks each semester. In addition, students may be required to undertake field visits to clinical and laboratory areas, as well as placements. While lectures take place at the University of Sydney’s Camperdown Campus and at Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre, clinical and laboratory experience occurs at a variety of locations throughout Sydney and beyond.
Further enquiries
For the Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Laboratory and Public Health Pathways:
Dr Shailendra Sawleshwarkar
Phone: +61 2 9762 5390
Fax: +61 2 9762 5387
Email:
Website: sydney.edu.au/medicine/wsshc
For the Counselling Pathway:
Dr Chris Fox
Phone: +61 29762 5390
Fax: +61 2 9762 5387
Email: or
Website: sydney.edu.au/medicine/wsshc