Graduate · Nursing & Health Sciences
Master of Nursing Science
La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
About this program
The Master of Nursing Science is La Trobe's postgraduate pathway for registered nurses seeking a specialist clinical qualification rather than a management-focused credential. Students typically move into specialisations like perioperative nursing, primary health care, or mental health nursing, drawing on La Trobe's clinical partnerships including its affiliated clinical school arrangement with Austin Health in Melbourne's north-east.
Because candidates already hold RN registration, the degree assumes a working clinical base and builds advanced practice knowledge and research skills on top of it, rather than repeating undergraduate nursing content. Part-time study while continuing to work clinically is the norm rather than the exception, and the course structure accommodates that with a mix of online coursework and clinically-oriented practicum or advanced placement components tied to the chosen specialisation.
Cost & duration
English test scores
Course structure
6 terms of coursework
- Core subjects: Advanced Nursing Practice, Research Methods in Health Sciences, Evidence-Based Practice, Health Care Ethics and Policy
- Specialisation stream (choose one): Perioperative Nursing, Primary Health Care, or Mental Health Nursing
- Advanced clinical/practicum component tied to chosen specialisation
- Elective subjects to complete the degree
- Research project or minor thesis in final stage
- Delivered via clinical partner network including La Trobe's affiliation with Austin Health
Admissions
Bachelor's degree in a health-related discipline