student standing in front of health clinic

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    March, July

  • Duration

    1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

  • Location

    Online

  • Placement

    No  

  • Course abbreviation

    MLifestyleMed

  • Course code

    1209300

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Scholarships

  • Indicative fee

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

International snapshot

  • Start Date

    February, June

  • Duration

    1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

  • Location

    Online

  • Placement

    No  

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Overview

A large percentage of chronic disease risk can be attributed to lifestyle behaviours. However, assisting individuals to modify their lifestyle remains an ongoing challenge for many health practitioners.

The Master of Lifestyle Medicine is designed for health practitioners working in general medicine, allied health, nursing or other health disciplines who wish to develop skills and knowledge in the specialised field of lifestyle medicine. The course assists practitioners to more confidently prescribe lifestyle interventions and facilitate behaviour change in order to support the prevention and management of chronic disease and to improve patient outcomes.

The Master of Lifestyle Medicine is taught by leaders in the field and uses an evidence-based approach to examine the principles and practices of lifestyle medicine, including determinants of health, clinical processes and models of care, and strategies and interventions for preventing and managing disease. A capstone research project also enables students to investigate an area of interest in depth.

This course is part of Southern Cross University’s suite of health degrees that take an interdisciplinary and patient-centred approach to healthcare. 

Master of Lifestyle Medicine graduate Dr Lauren Prictor standing in clinic reception

“Having lifestyle medicine as an evidence-based strategy for preventing and managing diseases has set me up with a good arsenal of tools to help people move towards prevention rather than cure.”

The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.

Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.

Learn more

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

1. Apply an evidence-based clinical-decision making framework using appropriate evidence and critical thinking within contemporary lifestyle medicine practice.

2. Apply knowledge of research principles and methods to investigating and contributing to lifestyle medicine practice and scholarship.

GA2: Creativity

3. Critically and creatively evaluate and respond to actual and potential health problems impacting individuals, families and communities.

GA3: Ethical practice

4. Understand and function within applicable professional competencies, scopes of practice, codes of conduct, codes of ethics, laws and policies.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

5. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and critical application of pertinent lifestyle medicine theories and frameworks in clinical and professional contexts.

6. Apply an integrated body of knowledge of, and be responsive to, local and global determinants of health across a range of populations in a safe and competent manner.

GA5: Lifelong learning

7. Critically reflect on current skills, knowledge, attitudes and practices to plan and implement ongoing personal and professional learning.

8. Apply autonomy, accountability, adaptability, professional advocacy, responsibility and leadership in lifestyle medicine across diverse teams and settings.

GA6: Communication and social skills

9. Demonstrate advanced verbal and written communication skills that drive appropriate patient and population outcomes in diverse settings.

GA7: Cultural competence

10. Demonstrate an ability to advocate the socio-cultural preferences, needs and values of individuals and groups across diverse settings and within interdisciplinary teams.

Core units include: principles and practice of lifestyle medicine – foundations, clinical processes, planning and management; psychological and environmental influences on health; self-management and chronic disease; and metabolic health and management. Students are also required to complete a major health research project.

Location Teaching period
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3
Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3$31,920 ($3,990 per unit)N/A

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Career Outcomes

This course enables clinicians to enhance their practice by developing knowledge and skills in the area of lifestyle medicine, with a view to aiding the prevention and management of chronic disease, and improving health outcomes.

Graduates of the Master of Lifestyle Medicine will be eligible to apply for Fellowship with the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLM).

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor degree in a health discipline, and two years of documented relevant professional experience

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.5
Listeningminimum 6.0
Speakingminimum 6.0
Readingminimum 6.0
Writingminimum 6.0

Credit for prior learning

As per standard advanced standing rules as outlined in the Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 – Coursework Awards – General Provisions (Section 4 Advanced Standing).

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Master of Lifestyle Medicine, students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:

  • 8 core units (96 credit points)

Other things to consider

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Learn more


Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Current Students should select their units by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment as these may be different.

View Student Handbook

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

HLTH5006Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine I: Foundations
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1,3
Term3
HLTH6005Self-management and Chronic Disease
Term1,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
HLTH5007Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 2: Clinical Processes
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2
N/A
Pre-requisitesHLTH5006 - Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine I: Foundations
HLTH6002Metabolic Health and Management
Summer Term
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Summer Term
Term2
Summer Term
Term2
Enrolment informationPrior knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and pathology is desirable.
HLTH6003Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 3: Planning and Management
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisitesHLTH5006 - Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine I: Foundations AND HLTH5007 - Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 2: Clinical Processes
HLTH6007Health Research Project A
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
HLTH6004Psychological & Environmental Influences on Health
Summer Term
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Summer Term
Term4
Summer Term
Term4
HLTH6008Health Research Project B
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
Pre-requisitesHLTH6007 - Health Research Project A


Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
HLTH5006Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine I: Foundations
HLTH5007Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 2: Clinical Processes
HLTH6003Principles & Practice of Lifestyle Medicine 3: Planning and Management
HLTH6004Psychological & Environmental Influences on Health
HLTH6005Self-management and Chronic Disease
HLTH6002Metabolic Health and Management
HLTH6007Health Research Project A
HLTH6008Health Research Project B

Why Health at SCU

One of the best clinical lab facilities in Australia

Health Clinics on-campus provide safe and supervised environments for practicums

5-star health ratings

We are 5-star rated in psychology, nursing and health services and support

(GUG 2023)

Graduates in very high demand

Health graduates in very high demand as Health Care and Social Assistance is Australia's largest and fastest growing industry

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic students

You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.

Commonwealth Supported Places:

In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.

Full Fee-Paying Places:

A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Fees and Scholarships

International Students

If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Apply now

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  2. Get supporting documents ready
  3. Choose where and when from the available options

Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.

Choose where you want to study

Online

International students studying online or outside of Australia

Online

Dates for the diary

Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.

See key dates

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.

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Entry Pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a pathway