New Masters program in HIV/STIs

The new Masters Program in HIV/STIs and Sexual Health (MHSSH) has just been approved by the University of Sydney and will shortly be run from the STI Research Centre of the Western Clinical School. It will be the largest, most professionally diverse postgraduate program of its kind in the world.

Built on a sound biomedical foundation, the course brings together clinical, laboratory, social and psychological aspects of HIV, STIs & Sexual Health treatment and prevention. The curriculum and learning methods have been structured using the latest adult learning theories and give students from a variety of professionals backgrounds (including physicians, counsellors, educators, public health personnel, nurses and laboratory workers) an interdisciplinary, inter-professional study environment. Streaming of learning pathways provides opportunities to develop generic competencies, as well as the flexibility of choice necessary for specific professional needs and specialisations. Students performing well in their coursework and who have an interest in research, will have opportunities to progress to research candidature via the MPhil and PhD components.

The use of the latest e-Learning technologies, including streamed videos and social media, allow geographically remote and time-poor professionals to access the state of the art teaching materials, complimented by short periods of on-campus intensive face to face teaching.

By widening the range of topics covered, including the addition of a number of new units of study such as Adult Sexual Assault, it is anticipated that the 2012 intake will be around 40 EFTSL. This will make it one of the largest Masters programs in the Sydney Medical School.

Heidi Mair
STI Research Centre