Sexual and Reproductive Health

Graduate Certificate in Medicine (Sexual and Reproductive Health)

Graduate Diploma in Medicine (Sexual and Reproductive Health)

Master of Medicine (Sexual and Reproductive Health)

Master of Medicine (Advanced) (Sexual and Reproductive Health)

Graduate Certificate in Science in Medicine (Sexual and Reproductive Health)

Graduate Diploma in Science in Medicine (Sexual and Reproductive Health)

Master of Science in Medicine (Sexual and Reproductive Health)

Master of Science in Medicine (Advanced) (Sexual and Reproductive Health)

Overview

The Postgraduate Program in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) provides a diverse and inter-professional curriculum suitable for Australian and international students interested in the range of disciplines related to HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Globally, the challenges of SRH including HIV/STIs, infertility and unintended pregnancy continue to be a significant public health issue. Challenges to sexual function and wellbeing also impacts on the health of individuals. Comprehesive prevention and treatment of SRH issues require a thorough understanding of the psycho-social contexts in which they occur as well as the biological and diagnostic aspects of sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing.

The Postgraduate Program in Sexual and Reproductive Health enables students to address these challenges through a range of units, with an option to choose one of four distinct pathways (STIs and HIV, Psychosexual Therapy, Reproductive Health and Infertility, and Public Health).

Compulsory and stream specific units of study provide students with foundational competence in these areas, while a wide range of electives creates the opportunity for students to further explore areas of interest. The inter-professional and multi-disciplinary structure encourages students to develop effective collaborative approaches to employment in a variety of healthcare settings.

The Postgraduate Program in Sexual and Reproductive Health is designed to provide the maximum professional relevance, flexibility and choice. All units of study engage the current evidence base and encourage critical engagement with the evidence. To facilitate the best educational and professional outcomes from their studies, each student is advised to discuss their unit of study choices with a Pathway Coordinator before the commencement of each semester. The Postgraduate Program in Sexual and Reproductive Health provides opportunities for students to transition to higher degree research candidature.

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, Sexual and Reproductive Health issues;
• learn to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams on the practical challenges faced by professionals working in these areas;
• acquire skills recognised as essential components of the professional training in HIV and STIs, sexology/sexual health counselling/psychosexual therapy and reproductive health and fertility;
• learn to critically evaluate relevant research and contribute to the growing body of evidence-based, effective interventions.

Accreditation

Several of the units of study are regconised as providing training for the Sexual Health curriculum of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians' Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine. Completing the Master’s in the Psychosexual Therapy Pathway meets the sexological education and training requirements for professional accreditation with the Society of Australian Sexologists (SAS), and ASSERT NSW.

Further information

The program is offered as either a coursework-only degree or as a double degree with the coursework-only master degree followed by research master's degree (for international students on Australia Awards only - see double degree program for further information). Double Degree Domestic and other international students enrol in the separate degrees. Information on the Master of Philosophy is available in the Postgraduate Research Studies chapter.

To qualify for the award of the coursework-only degrees, students must complete coursework units of study 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:

• HIV and STIs
• Public Health
• Psychosexual Therapy
• Reproductive Health and Fertility
• No Pathway

Much of the learning is conducted via our interactive eLearning sites. In addition, students may be required to attend lectures and/or tutorials and undertake field visits, while 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, while lectures take place at the University of Sydney’s Camperdown Campus and at Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre at Parramatta/Westmead. Professional experience occurs at a variety of locations throughout Sydney and beyond. Assessment varies with each unit of study and may include a combination of written assignments, oral presentations, multiple choice quizzes, online discussions, professional practice reports and written examination.

Further enquiries

HIV and STIs and Public Health Pathways Coordinator:
Dr Shailendra Sawleshwarkar
Phone: +61 2 9762 5390
Fax: +61 2 9762 5387
Email: or
Website: sydney.edu.au/medicine/wsshc

Psychosexual Therapy (Sexology/Sexual Health Counselling) Pathway Coordinator:
Dr Christopher Fox
Phone: +61 29762 5390
Fax: +61 2 9762 5387
Email: or
Website: sydney.edu.au/medicine/wsshc

Reproductive Health and Fertility Pathway Coordinator:
Associate Professor Kirsten Black
Phone: +61 29762 5390
Fax: +61 2 9762 5387
Email: or
Website: sydney.edu.au/medicine/wsshc