Master of Clinical Pharmacy

Program Overview

The Master of Clinical Pharmacy is a fully online, flexible program designed to enhance the skills of registered pharmacists in utilizing medicines effectively and improving their clinical decision-making abilities. The program consists of 150 credit points, including coursework units and research units or professional impact project units. Graduates are prepared for advanced practice roles in community and hospital settings, including clinical consultants, leaders in clinical trials, and providers of professional clinical services.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Clinical Pharmacy is a fully online, flexible, and self-directed program designed to enhance the abilities of registered pharmacists in utilizing medicines effectively and improving their critical analysis and clinical decision-making skills. The program is structured to diversify the skills of students for various advanced practice roles emerging in community and hospital settings. Through the program, students can develop formal training in clinical services, enhance their critical analysis, clinical decision-making, evidence-based management skills, and generally improve their ability to contribute to the quality use of medicine. Additionally, the course can be utilized to support students' efforts in becoming accredited to conduct medication reviews. Graduates of the program will develop enhanced communication skills with other health professionals and patients, enabling them to lead in a healthcare team.

Outline:

The program consists of 150 credit points (12 units), comprised of:

• Eight 12.5-credit points coursework units and four 12.5-credit points research units.
or,
• Ten 12.5-credit points coursework units and two 12.5-credit points professional impact project units.
Stage 1: Students must complete 4 units (1 core and 3 choice) Stage 1 Core Unit:
• CSA721 Introduction to Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Practice
Stage 1 Choice Units:
• CSA722 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics in Cardiovascular Diseases
• CSA723 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics in Respiratory and Renal Diseases
• CSA724 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics in Infectious Diseases
• CSA725 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics in Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Oncology Care
• CSA726 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics in Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders
Stage 2: Students must complete 4 units (1 core and 3 choice) Stage 2 Core Unit:
• CSA728 Quality Use of Medicines and Medicines Safety in Vulnerable Populations
Stage 2 Choice Units:
• BAA543 Clinical Governance in Healthcare
• BAA544 Integrating Governance Systems and Structures into Safety and Quality in Healthcare
• BAA545 Communicating Safety and Quality in Healthcare
• BAA546 Principles and Models for Engagement with Consumers in Healthcare
• CAM528 Introduction to Epidemiology
• CAM529 Introduction to Public Health
• CAM530 Systems Thinking in Public Health
• CAM540 Healthcare Quality and Safety: A Patient-Centred Approach
• CAM554 Clinical Redesign (This unit is currently unavailable.)
• CAM625 Introduction to Biostatistics
• CAM638 Health Policy, Economics and Advocacy
• CSA408 Research Methodology and Project Design
• CSA722 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics in Cardiovascular Diseases
• CSA723 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics in Respiratory and Renal Diseases
• CSA724 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics in Infectious Diseases
• CSA725 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics in Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Oncology Care

Teaching:

The program is fully online, offering flexibility and self-directed learning for students. Students are provided with access to leading pharmacists in Australia, with staff passionate about teaching, including researchers from the highly successful Unit for Medication Outcomes Research and Education (UMORE) in the College of Health and Medicine.

Careers:

Completion of the Master of Clinical Pharmacy can prepare students for various advanced practice roles in community and hospital settings. Graduates may find opportunities as clinical consultants managing drug therapy regimens, leaders in clinical trials and research in the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare organizations, and providers of professional clinical services within community pharmacy settings. Within Australia and overseas, the Master of Clinical Pharmacy is often preferred for senior clinical positions. Successful completion of the program can also lead to further study in a Research Higher Degree, including:

• Master of Pharmacy
• Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy)
• Professional Doctorate