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The World Health Organisation estimates a projected shortfall of 18 million health workers by 2030 – building the health workforce is a global health priority.
The Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) is a foundation degree for students who wish to pursue a career in health, naturopathic medicine, or lifestyle medicine.
To practice as a Clinical Naturopath, students must successfully complete the Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) and the Southern Cross University Master of Naturopathic Medicine. The total full-time duration for this clinical training program is four years. This is the only four-year program in Naturopathic Medicine offered in Australia where students will graduate with a Masters degree.
This course allows students to develop an understanding of health science, social science, lifestyle medicine, clinical science, scientific enquiry and naturopathic medicine. Students will also develop a theoretical and practical understanding of health promotion through undertaking a work-integrated health placement or professional engagement with Aboriginal communities.
This degree provides graduates with a solid foundation in evidence-based practice and a deep understanding of naturopathic medicine’s philosophical foundations of preventing ill-health, improving patient health outcomes, supporting a patient’s innate ability to heal and addressing the underlying causes of illness.
This is the only undergraduate Naturopathic Medicine degree in Australia offering Commonwealth Supported places (HECS-HELP).
The World Health Organisation estimates a projected shortfall of 18 million health workers by 2030 – building the health workforce is a global health priority.
The Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) is a foundation degree for students who wish to pursue a career in health, naturopathic medicine, or lifestyle medicine.
To practice as a Clinical Naturopath, students must successfully complete the Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) and the Southern Cross University Master of Naturopathic Medicine. The total full-time duration for this clinical training program is four years. This is the only four-year program in Naturopathic Medicine offered in Australia where students will graduate with a Masters degree.
This course allows students to develop an understanding of health science, social science, lifestyle medicine, clinical science, scientific enquiry and naturopathic medicine. Students will also develop a theoretical and practical understanding of health promotion through undertaking a work-integrated health placement or professional engagement with Aboriginal communities.
This degree provides graduates with a solid foundation in evidence-based practice and a deep understanding of naturopathic medicine’s philosophical foundations of preventing ill-health, improving patient health outcomes, supporting a patient’s innate ability to heal and addressing the underlying causes of illness.
This is the only undergraduate Naturopathic Medicine degree in Australia offering Commonwealth Supported places (HECS-HELP).
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
To meet the University’s minimum English Language Proficiency requirement an applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:
Recognised Countries means the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA.
Please note, Rule 2 Schedule B test scores equivalencies do not apply to this course.
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
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score or equivalent | 6.5 |
| Reading | 6.5 |
| Writing | 6.5 |
| Listening | 6.5 |
| Speaking | 6.5 |
The Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) provides a direct pathway into the Master of Naturopathic Medicine.
The 24 units of study in this course (including 23 core units and 1 elective unit) centre around three themes:
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Lismore | Term 1, Term 3 |
International students
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 | $29,360 ($3,670 per unit) | 108299A |
| Lismore | Term 1, Term 3 | $29,360 ($3,670 per unit) | 108299A |
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. | |||
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Health Science (Heath and Lifestyle), students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points) comprising:
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with the Diploma of Health after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) comprising the first eight units.
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Units | |||||
| HLTH1004 | The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar | ||||
| HLTH1001 | Introduction to Science for Health Professions | ||||
| PSYC1009 | Introducing Health Psychology | ||||
| HBIO1009 | Introductory Anatomy and Physiology | ||||
| HBIO1010 | Integrated Anatomy and Physiology | ||||
| INDG2001 | Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | ||||
| BIOL2007 | Biochemistry | ||||
| NATM2004 | Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Foundations | ||||
| Students are eligible to exit with the Diploma of Health following completion of the above 8 units | |||||
| STAT2001 | Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners | ||||
| HLTH2002 | Exercise Physiology | ||||
| PHAR2001 | Introductory Pharmacology | ||||
| NATM2005 | Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Ethics and Law | ||||
| NUTR2001 | Nutritional Medicine | ||||
| NATM2001 | Botanical Medicine | ||||
| NATM2003 | Massage and Mind-body Medicine | ||||
| NATM2002 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Assessment, Microbiology and Immunity | ||||
| WELF1003 | Counselling Theory and Practice | ||||
| NATM5001 | Practice-Based Health Research | ||||
| NATM3001 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Integumentary and Gastrointestinal systems | ||||
| PBHL2002 | Health Promotion | ||||
| NATM3002 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 3: Musculoskeletal and Nervous systems | ||||
| NATM3003 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 4: Cardiovascular and Respiratory systems | ||||
| NATM3004 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 5: Urogenital and Endocrine systems | ||||
| Choose one of the following option units: | |||||
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
Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.
Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Available | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award | ||||||||||||||||||||||
First Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH1004 | The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar | Term1,3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH1001 | Introduction to Science for Health Professions | Term1,3,5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1009 | Introducing Health Psychology | Term2,4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| HBIO1009 | Introductory Anatomy and Physiology | Term2,5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| HBIO1010 | Integrated Anatomy and Physiology | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM2004 | Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Foundations | Term3,5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| BIOL2007 | Biochemistry | Term2,4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| INDG2001 | Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Summer Term Term2,4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Students are eligible to exit with the Diploma of Health following completion of the above 8 units | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Second Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NUTR2001 | Nutritional Medicine | Term1,4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PHAR2001 | Introductory Pharmacology | Term1,5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM2005 | Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Ethics and Law | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM2001 | Botanical Medicine | Term1,3,5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH2002 | Exercise Physiology | Term4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| STAT2001 | Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners | Term1,4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM2002 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Assessment, Microbiology and Immunity | Term2,5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM2003 | Massage and Mind-body Medicine | Term5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Third Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PBHL2002 | Health Promotion | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM5001 | Practice-Based Health Research | Term5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM3001 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Integumentary and Gastrointestinal systems | Term5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM3002 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 3: Musculoskeletal and Nervous systems | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM3003 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 4: Cardiovascular and Respiratory systems | Term4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| WELF1003 | Counselling Theory and Practice | Term4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM3004 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 5: Urogenital and Endocrine systems | Not currently available | ||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM3005 | Work-integrated Health Placement | Not currently available | ||||||||||||||||||||
| OR | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| INDG2005 | Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement) | Term2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| OR | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PBHL3001 | Health Promotion Project | Term4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
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.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Interpret evidence-based clinical-decision making frameworks appropriate for contemporary health and lifestyle contexts |
Use initiative and problem-solving skills to respond creatively to intellectual, professional, environmental and social challenges |
Understand and function within applicable professional competencies, scope of practice, codes of conduct, codes of ethics, laws and policies |
Demonstrate broad and coherent understanding of health and lifestyle philosophies, theories and frameworks in applicable professional contexts Demonstrate a body of knowledge and skills derived from the physical, biological, behavioural, clinical and social sciences |
Use reflection to guide professional development and to be a self-directed and life-long learner |
Demonstrate and apply well-developed verbal and written communication skills applicable to diverse settings with high academic and professional integrity Collaborate effectively with a diverse range of individuals, groups and interdisciplinary teams |
Demonstrate respect and responsiveness to socio-cultural preferences, needs and values of individuals and groups in diverse settings Display social responsibility to others in the community and within the broader healthcare setting |
A variety of assessment methods are used in this course including essays, case studies, presentations, discussion forums, portfolios and literature reviews. Each unit comprises up to three assessment items.
Standard: On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including tutorials, workshops, practicals, professional placement, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may engage in a combination of podcast or video-linked tutorials, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums, and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
This course provides a direct pathway into the Master of Naturopathic Medicine, which enables graduates to practice as a Clinical Naturopath. As a clinical naturopath, graduates will be qualified to work in private practice, as well as a range of integrative and acute healthcare settings, such as aged care, palliative care, an emergency department or an integrative health clinic.
In addition to careers in clinical naturopathic medicine, students will be well-prepared for diverse roles working within health care teams (as an allied health assistant, health/lifestyle coach or care coordinator), community teams (as a health promotion officer, community development officer, or project officer), or independently (as a health/lifestyle consultant, or health communicator/writer).
This course includes a professional placement, with the choice of either a work-integrated health placement or professional engagement with Aboriginal communities.
There are regulatory requirements that students must meet before commencing professional placements.
Graduates may be eligible to apply for membership of the Complementary Medicine Association.
Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.
Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.
Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.