Master of Addictive Behaviours - 2018

The Master of Addictive Behaviours is offered in partnership with Turning Point, an internationally renowned clinical treatment and research centre.

The course provides you with a comprehensive overview of addiction science, policy and practice. It is a multidisciplinary, modular post-graduate course that is delivered online but which retains a strongly interactive and dynamic focus. Covering key contemporary issues such as problem drinking and gambling, and misuse of prescribed and illicit drugs, the course is delivered by a team of national and international experts from Monash University, Turning Point and other leading universities both nationally and internationally. This master's program is built on a strong conceptual and theoretical foundation and covers key topics in epidemiology, public health and policy, prevention and treatment and research methods. The course is suitable for graduates in psychology, criminology, nursing, medicine and social work, and for professionals engaged in criminal justice, mental health, community health and public policy. It enables you to enhance your career development, improve your academic skills and gain a rewarding and satisfying educational experience.

All units in this course are delivered online. Contact with teaching staff is available via forum discussions, announcements, email and telephone.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

1. critically analyse biopsychosocial models of addiction and current discourses around addictive behaviours
2. identify and describe the historical, political, economic and social factors that influence addictive behaviours in Australia and Internationally
3. evaluate the impact of addictive behaviours on individuals, families, communities and social systems
4. examine addictive behaviours in relation to special population groups (dual diagnosis, indigenous, youth, older adult, GLBTI, transcultural)
5. outline the process by which addiction health policies are formed and reformed
6. recognise and compare the basic concepts and research methods used in the area of addiction studies
7. evaluate evidence based models of interventions for various addictive behaviours.

   In addition, if you complete the research stream, you will be able to:

8. design, undertake and write up a research project (minor thesis) in the area of addiction studies.

The course is structured into four parts: Part A. Foundation studies for addictive behaviours, Part B. Core studies in addictive behaviours, Part C. Specialist studies in addictive behaviours and Part D. Elective studies in addictive behaviours.

You must complete Part A and Part B. Completion of Part C and Part D will depend on your prior qualifications and experience.

Part A. Foundation studies for addictive behaviours

These studies will enable you to develop your knowledge and capacity to evaluate current theories of addiction, including aetiological, developmental and public health models. You will explore the theoretical basis for effective identification, management and treatment of individuals with addictive behaviours; and the skills to effectively critique the research evidence on medical, psychological and social intervention approaches to addictive behaviours and apply the strategies in practice.

Part B. Core studies in addictive behaviours

The focus of these studies is acquiring greater depth in key areas of expertise in addictive behaviours. You will gain an understanding of trends in the use of particular substances including tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs and behavioural addictions including binge eating and gambling. You will learn the major historical, political, economic and social factors that have impacted on our understanding of addiction in Australia and internationally. You will also be able to critically evaluate the empirical and theoretical literature across a range of socio-cultural perspectives of addiction. You will learn about the history of policy development and the public health measures employed around the world, including prevention, harm minimisation and treatments for managing problem use of substances and other process addictions.

Part C. Specialist studies in addictive behaviours

The focus of the specialist studies is professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. You have two options: a research stream or a coursework stream to suit your interests, skills and career goals.

Coursework stream

In the coursework stream you are able to elect units that suit your own career interests and receive an in depth and broader understanding of specialised areas of the addictive field. Some of the more specialised areas include the recovery movement, co-occurring disorders in mental health and addiction, developmental factors involved in substance use and other addictive behaviours as well as learning about gambling and other process addictions.

Research stream

In the research stream you will further your skills required to conduct professional focused research through the review of existing research literature. You will create a research question, select an appropriate methodology and finalise a research protocol for institutional ethics approval. Through an interactive and collaborative process with your supervisor, you will create a research report which will communicate your research findings to a wider professional audience.

Part D. Elective studies in addictive behaviours

The focus of Part D is for students that require further studies to complete their course based on their qualifications and experience. You are able to elect units that suit your own career interests and receive an in depth and broader understanding of specialised areas of the addiction field. Some of the more specialised areas include the recovery movement, co-occurring disorders in mental health and addiction, developmental factors involved in substance use and other addictive behaviours as well as learning about gambling and other process addictions.

The course comprises 96 points structured into four parts: Part A. Foundation studies for addictive behaviours (24 points), Part B. Core studies in addictive behaviours (24 points), Part C. Specialist studies in addictive behaviours (24 points) and Part D. Elective studies in addictive behaviours (24 points).

If you are admitted at:

• entry level 1 you complete 96 points, comprising Parts A, B, C and D
• entry level 2 you complete 72 points, comprising Parts A, B and C
• entry level 3 you complete 48 points, comprising Parts A and B.

Note:

All students complete Part A and Part B to complete the core units as a cohort.

If you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

Units are 12 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Foundation studies for addictive behaviours (24 points)

You must complete:

• ASC5001 Addiction Science: A biopsychosocial overview
• ASC5004 Addiction assessment and treatment: Practice and innovation

Part B. Core studies in addictive behaviours (24 points)

You must complete:

• ASC5002 Sociocultural perspectives of addiction
• ASC5003 Addiction policies, prevention and public health

Part C. Specialist studies in addictive behaviours (24 points)

You must complete a. or b. below:

a. Coursework stream

You must complete two units chosen from:

• ASC5007Not offered in 2018 Recovery principles
• ASC5008 Co-occurring disorders in mental health and addiction
• ASC5009Not offered in 2018 Developmental factors - children and families, youth and early interventions
• ASC5010 Gambling and other process addictions

b. Research stream*

You must complete:

• MAP5000 Research in advanced health professional practice
• MAP5010 Advanced health practice research project

*To be eligible to enrol in these research stream units you need to demonstrate you have a background in research methodology (either education or research) and pass ASC5001, ASC5002, ASC5003 and ASC5004 with an overall average score of Distinction. The proposed research project will also need to be discussed with and approved by a supervisor from Turning Point, before you can enrol in these research stream units. If you do not achieve the eligibility requirements for the research stream you will complete the coursework stream.

Part D. Elective studies in addictive behaviours (24 points)

You must complete two electives chosen from:

• ASC5007Not offered in 2018 Recovery principles
• ASC5008 Co-occurring disorders in mental health and addiction
• ASC5009Not offered in 2018 Developmental factors - children and families, youth and early interventions
• ASC5010 Gambling and other process addictions

You may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided you have satisfied the requirements for that award during your enrolment in this master's course:

• Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours after successful completion of Part A (24 points).
• Graduate Diploma of Addictive Behaviours after successful completion of Part A and Part B (48 credit points*).

* Students admitted at entry level 3 will exit with a Master of Addictive Behaviours only.

Students undertaking the research option complete a research project (24 points) that may provide a pathway to a higher degree by research.

If you are admitted at entry level 3 you will normally already have an honours degree or higher qualification that provides a pathway to a higher degree by research. However, if you wish to complete a research project you should discuss the options with the course director.