Study Rehabilitation - Master of Health Practice
Do you want to further your understanding of rehabilitation? Study the AUT Master of Health Practice in Rehabilitation degree to help you take your health career to the next level.
The Master of Health Practice in Rehabilitation is ideal for health professionals who want to extend their practical knowledge and are ready for the next step in their career. It's designed for health professionals with at least three years of clinical experience. You can select courses that reflect your career needs and interests.
This is part of the Master of Health Practice.
Download programme guides
You need a total of 180 points to complete the Master of Health Practice in Rehabilitation.
To enrol in PHTY801 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, you need to provide evidence of a minimum of two years’ postgraduate experience working in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
Complete the following course
Semester 1 course
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
And select 75 points from
Early Semester 1 courses
- RHAB817 Biomechanics (15 points)
- RHAB818 Pain: Mechanisms and Management (15 points)
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL801 Disability and Health (15 points)
- RHAB801 Occupational Ergonomics (30 points)
- RHAB802 Vocational Management and Rehabilitation (30 points)#
- RHAB807 Motor Control in Rehabilitation (15 points) (not offered in 2026)
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL819 Interprofessional Practice Innovation (15 points) (not offered in 2026)
- RHAB808 Neurological Rehabilitation (15 points)#
- RHAB809 Stroke Management (15 points)
- RHAB810 Clinical Gait Analysis (15 points)
- RHAB811 Health Ergonomics (15 points)
- RHAB812 Engagement in Rehabilitation (15 points)
- RHAB813 Breathing, Performance and Rehabilitation (15 points)# (not offered in 2026)
- RHAB818 Pain: Mechanisms and Management (15 points)
- RHAB819 Therapeutic Exercise Science (15 points)#
- RHAB820 Advanced Management of Chronic Pain (15 points)#
Early full-year course
- PHTY801 Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (45 points)#
Full-year course
- RHAB806 Hand and Upper Limb Therapy (45 points)#
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (only offered in Semester 2)
- MAOH803 Kia Tūrama - Māori Health Supervision (15 points)
And complete one of
Either
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
Or
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
- HEAL986 Research in Practice (45 points)**
- And a relevant 15-point postgraduate health science course***
# Course has special requirements
**Students who enrol in HEAL986 Research in Practice are not eligible for progression into the Doctor of Health Science/PhD
***With approval from the programme leader
This pathway is designed to equip health professionals for advanced practice in the rehabilitation of neurological conditions.
Complete the following courses
Semester 1 courses
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
- RHAB807 Motor Control in Rehabilitation (15 points) (not offered in 2026)
Semester 2 course
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (only offered in Semester 2)
- MAOH803 Kia Tūrama - Māori Health Supervision (15 points)
And complete 45 points from
- Other postgraduate courses in the rehabilitation specialisation
And complete one of
Either
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
Or
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
- HEAL986 Research in Practice (45 points)*
- And a relevant 15-point postgraduate health science course**
# Course has special requirements
*Students who enrol in HEAL986 Research in Practice are not eligible for progression into the Doctor of Health Science/PhD
**With approval from the programme leader
This pathway is designed to equip health professionals for advanced practice in the rehabilitation of occupational health conditions (for example vocational rehabilitation).
Complete the following courses
Semester 1 course
Semester 2 course
And choose one of
Semester 1 courses
- RHAB801 Occupational Ergonomics (30 points)
- RHAB802 Vocational Management and Rehabilitation (30 points)#*
*RHAB802 meets ACC's Vocational Rehabilitation Competencies
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (not currently offered)
- MAOH803 Kia Tūrama - Māori Health Supervision (15 points)
And 30 points from
- Other postgraduate courses in the rehabilitation specialisation
And complete one of
Either
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
Or
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
- HEAL986 Research in Practice (45 points)*
- And a relevant 15-point postgraduate health science course**
# Course has special requirements
*Students who enrol in HEAL986 Research in Practice are not eligible for progression into the Doctor of Health Science/PhD
**With approval from the programme leader
This pathway is designed to equip health professionals for advanced practice in the management and rehabilitation of complex pain conditions.
Complete the following courses
Early Semester 1 course
- RHAB818 Pain: Mechanisms and Management (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- RHAB812 Engagement in Rehabilitation (15 points)
- RHAB818 Pain: Mechanisms and Management (15 points)
- RHAB820 Advanced Management of Chronic Pain (15 points)#
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (not currently offered)
- MAOH803 Kia Tūrama - Māori Health Supervision (15 points)
And 30 points from
- Other postgraduate courses in the rehabilitation specialisation
And complete one of
Either
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
Or
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
- HEAL986 Research in Practice (45 points)*
- And a relevant 15-point postgraduate health science course**
# Course has special requirements
*Students who enrol in HEAL986 Research in Practice are not eligible for progression into the Doctor of Health Science/PhD
**With approval from the programme leader
This pathway is designed to equip occupational therapists and physiotherapists for advanced practice to become a registered hand and upper limb therapist.
Complete the following courses
Full-year course
- RHAB806 Hand and Upper Limb Therapy (45 points)#
Early Semester 1 course
- RHAB818 Pain: Mechanisms and Management (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- RHAB818 Pain: Mechanisms and Management (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Inquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (not currently offered)
- MAOH803 Kia Tūrama - Māori Health Supervision (15 points)
And complete 15 points from
- Other postgraduate courses in the rehabilitation specialisation
And complete one of
Either
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
Or
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
- HEAL986 Research in Practice (45 points)*
- And a relevant 15-point postgraduate health science course**
# Course has special requirements
*Students who enrol in HEAL986 Research in Practice are not eligible for progression into the Doctor of Health Science/PhD
**With approval from the programme leader
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for a course timetable or more info on a specific course use our course search.
Practice as a health professional in New Zealand is governed by legislation and a number of ‘Responsible Authorities’ (such as the NZ Psychologist Board, Physiotherapy Board and the Nursing Council who register practitioners). Overseas qualified health professionals who wish to practise in New Zealand should communicate directly with the relevant Responsible Authority. Qualifications recognised for professional registration at AUT are undergraduate; study at postgraduate level is not considered equivalent recognition for NZ Board certification.
- Equips health professionals for advanced practice in rehabilitation
- Open to all qualified health professionals
- Includes a practice project in an area of your interest
- Flexible study options, including on-campus block courses and online learning
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.