Graduate Diploma in Lifestyle Medicine

About

The Graduate Diploma in Lifestyle Medicine empowers students to recognise and promote effective lifestyle-based therapies to prevent, manage and, in some instances, even reverse chronic disease.
The Graduate Diploma is available to students passionate about lifestyle-based therapies. For individuals with existing healthcare qualifications, it is also a pathway into the Master of Lifestyle Medicine. Major topics of study include an examination of the history of disease and the rationale for Lifestyle Medicine, core Lifestyle Medicine pillars, the pivotal roles of nutrition and physical activity, underlying physiological factors in chronic disease, psychological influences, environmental factors, substance use (with a focus on nicotine), the processes used to utilise Lifestyle Medicine, cultural factors that influence Lifestyle Medicine interventions, and more.

The course is recognised by the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine as a pathway to becoming a Fellow of the Society.

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Lifestyle Medicine, graduates will be able to:

• explain and critique the diverse elements of Lifestyle Medicine informed by an integrated understanding of the contemporary body of knowledge;
• articulate, apply and evaluate a whole-of-health perspective encompassing freedom from disease through to positive wellbeing;
• advocate for the implementation of Lifestyle Medicine informed by an integrated knowledge of the relationship between lifestyle and disease, and the underlying causation of chronic diseases;
• utilise a research-led methodological approach to develop and present the concepts of Lifestyle Medicine within the context of public health and clinical practice;
• communicate the principles of Lifestyle Medicine to a diverse range of recipients with regard to culture, age and gender using multiple forms of communication;
• design and apply Lifestyle Medicine interventions in a variety of cultural settings and employ appropriate evaluation processes to monitor and modify the effectiveness of these interventions;
• argue for the role of identity, meaning and spirituality in the effectiveness of Lifestyle Medicine interventions and be able to recognise, design, apply and appraise these elements in Lifestyle Medicine interventions.

The Graduate Diploma in Lifestyle Medicine is designed for students who are passionate about implementing lifestyle-based therapies with patients and clients. The course will benefit doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, dietitians, health coaches and health educators, who want to diversify their knowledge in the healthcare field. By completing this course, graduates accumulate points that go towards becoming a Fellow of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine.

Admission criteria

To qualify for admission, an applicant must have completed:

• an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher, or
• an Australian Graduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine or equivalent, or
• an overseas qualification comparable to an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher.

In exceptional circumstances an applicant may be admitted based on qualifications deemed equivalent as assessed by the Course Convenor in consultation with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

Advanced standing

Applicants who have completed prior study may be eligible for advanced standing (credit recognition). Applicants should discuss their eligibility for advanced standing with the Admissions Team or the Course Convenor.

Fees and charges

^ Indicative total only. Actual total will depend on subject selection, rate of program completion and annual review of fee levels. Check the latest fee information.

Australian Government financial assistance

Equity Scholarships through UAC

Further information

Read the full course details on the Avondale University website.

Visit the Avondale University website.
Call 1300 219 159
Email the College of Health Sciences.