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2022
Addictive Behaviours - M6014

Addictive Behaviours - M6014

The course incorporates the latest evidence in addiction theory (including biological, neurobiological, psychological and social theories of addiction aetiology and maintenance) and addiction practice (assessment, dual diagnosis, management, treatment, and recovery); historical and contemporary policies and public health strategies for managing traditional, new and emerging substance use disorders and process addictions. With the knowledge gained, you will make a positive impact on both the health and social wellbeing of individuals, groups, and communities.

This course is designed for professionals working in health and social welfare sectors, education, government or policy development (and related disciplines) who seek to broaden their knowledge and skills in treating addictive behaviours. It is suitable for those working in alcohol and other drugs (AOD) or similar social and community sectors, registered health practitioners and allied health professionals, policymakers, lawyers and criminologists. It is also suitable for those who are interested in upskilling professionally or looking to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in addictive behaviours.

Delivered part-time (via online learning), the Master of Addictive Behaviours offers the flexibility required by working professionals. You will have the opportunity to study via facilitated modules, stream video lectures, and take part in-group discussion forums and activities, incorporating innovative educational technologies and new methodologies to enrich your learning experience.

This course offers a coursework or research stream. The coursework stream will enable you to pursue your own career interests in addictive behaviours. The research stream will introduce you to designing and writing up a research project in an area of addiction of your choice, supervised by a reputable supervisor in addictive behaviours. Completion of the research stream could be your next step towards a PhD in addiction science at Monash University.

At a glance

Location	Off-campus: Part time
Duration	2 or 3 years part-time depending on prior qualifications. See entry requirements.
Start date	First Semester (February)
Qualification	Master of Addictive Behaviours

Fees

Information about fees

Course Handbook

Overview
Entry requirements
Course structure
Applications and Fees

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

Whether you are looking to move into the addiction field, advance your knowledge about addiction theories and practice, progress to a more senior role, or develop your research skills, this course will offer you specialist knowledge, professional and academic skills to advance your career. Within the Master of Addictive Behaviours, you will:

Learn how to identify, manage, and treat individuals with addictive behaviours
Evaluate a range of evidence-based treatment approaches and forms of intervention for various addictive behaviours and population groups, including substance and behavioural addictions
Understand in-depth the process by which addiction and its policies are formed and reformed
Explore the impact of addictive behaviours on individuals, families, communities and social systems.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the course are able to demonstrate a range of qualitative, quantitative, analytical and communication skills necessary to work in different settings, such as: policy and program development and evaluation, treatment and prevention services, health and community service management, research, education and training; and other services that advocate for people with addiction issues.

Research

Monash is recognised globally for its research excellence. As part of the Master of Addictive Behaviours, you can choose to undertake a research stream, where you will be matched with an expert supervisor in the field. Supported research areas include:

Socio-cultural perspectives on alcohol and drug use and treatment
Treatment interventions for people with alcohol and drug issues
Health professional attitudes, behaviours, and stigma
Family violence and child maltreatment related to alcohol and drug use
Monitoring and testing sleep interventions in AOD populations
Surveillance, public health, data quality, and suicide prevention
Gambling, gaming, and other behavioural addictions assessments and interventions
Neurocognition and peers support

Completing the research stream may be a pathway to a PhD in addictive behaviours.

“I have worked with long-term homeless and complex needs clients for many years. Through completing the Master’s program, I have become a better advocate and can apply what I have learnt to improve outcomes for this group.”
Michelle, Master of Addictive Behaviours graduate

“I’m already reaping the rewards from choosing this course. Within a short time, I’ve scaled the career ladder way beyond my imagination – from mental health graduate nurse to my current role as acting Treatment Service Manager. The knowledge I’ve gained has informed my clinical practice.” Teddy, Master of Addictive Behaviours gr…

You need to satisfy the following entrance requirements to be considered for entry to this course.

Minimum Entry Requirements (Domestic students)

Qualifications

We offer two levels of entry into our Master of Addictive Behaviours and you may be eligible to receive credit for prior qualifications and experience which reduces the duration.

Entry Level 1: Duration 3 years part-time (72 credit points to complete)

An Australian undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline* with at least a pass average

Entry Level 2: Duration 2 years part-time (48 credit points to complete)

An Australian postgraduate award (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline* with at least a pass average

AND

Current employment as a Registered health professional (e.g., General Practitioner, Nurse, Psychologist) with a minimum of three years experience (full time equivalent)

Current employment in the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) sector with a minimum of three years experience

*Cognate disciplines include medicine, psychology, nursing, health science, occupational therapy, social work, social and community welfare, science, policy, law, criminology, research, teaching, arts (multidisciplinary), and other health and social sciences.

English requirements

Level A

IELTS (Academic): 6.5 Overall score, with minimum band scores: Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0 and Speaking 6.0

Pearson Test of English (Academic): 58 Overall score, with minimum scores: Listening 50, Reading 50, Speaking 50 and Writing 50

TOEFL Internet-based test: 79 Overall score, with minimum scores: Reading 13, Listening 12, Speaking 18 and Writing 21

Equivalent approved English test

University entrance requirements

Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.

Extra Requirements

Applicants must provide before an application can be assessed:

A curriculum vitae showing relevant academic and industry experience. A statement of purpose (maximum one page) outlining reasons for undertaking the course and your area(s) of interest.

This course is not available to international students who are holders of an Australian student visa for study onshore in Australia. However, holders of some other categories of Australian visas living in Australia, and students studying off-campus by distance learning (where this option is available) and living outside of Australia, may be eligible for this course.

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

All students complete Part A and Part C. Completion of Part B 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 gaming 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

Alternative exits

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*)

*If you are admitted at entry level 2 you are not eligible to take this alternative exit.

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.

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, gaming, and other process addictions.

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Making the application

Future students

Semester one (February)

Apply directly to Monash using course code M6014

Apply

Self assess for credit eligibility

Check for study credit using the "Credit search" link on the Credit for prior study page

Fees

Fees are subject to change annually.

Full fee

Fees are per 48 credit points which represents a standard full-time course load for a year.

A$27,300

Fee assistance

As a full fee-paying student, you may be eligible to apply for the optional FEE-HELP to assist you to pay all or part of your tuition fees.

Scholarships

We offer over 360 types of scholarships, valued at up to $280,000. Some scholarships offer one-off payments while others continue for the length of your course. Learn more about Monash Scholarships.

Other costs and fees

For information on other study costs and fees, see other study costs.

Study at Monash

Study at Monash