Course summary
Nursing, sport and exercise science, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology, biomedical science, osteopathic studies, podiatry and pedorthics …there are so many career paths in health.
If you're uncertain about which one is right for you, our Diploma of Health can provide the clarity you need for your future as a health professional. You can even tailor your learning by choosing a specialisation from a range of health disciplines.
Graduates can seek professional outcomes in several areas, including as allied health assistants, personal care assistants, lab assistants, and case workers. This Diploma is also an ideal pathway towards further study at Southern Cross University and provides guaranteed entry to a range of Bachelor degrees.
This course is offered through SCU College. Additional support through workshops to develop academic and study skills is available to all SCU College students.
If you are interested in studying online, please see important information below under major areas of study.
Domestic snapshot
| Duration | Location | Session |
|---|---|---|
1F/2P | Coffs Harbour | 1, 3 |
| Gold Coast | 1, 3 | |
| Lismore | 1, 3 | |
| Online | 1, 3 |
International snapshot
| Duration | Location | Session |
|---|---|---|
1F | Gold Coast | 1, 3 |
Students select a specialisation of study to prepare them for further study in one of the following disciplines: nursing, sport and exercise science, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychological science, biomedical science, osteopathic studies, podiatry or pedorthics.
If you are interested in studying online, please note:
- For all specialisations except psychological science, some units must be completed on-campus as they are not available online and require mandatory attendance.
In addition:
- The biomedical science and osteopathic studies specialisations are not currently offered at Coffs Harbour
- All specialisations are available at the Gold Coast
- Check the individual specialisation you are interested in for more details about where the units are offered and any mandatory on-campus attendance.
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.
| Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Intellectual rigour | Exercise critical judgment and creative thinking to identify problems and contribute to their solutions in defined health settings |
| Creativity | Exercise critical judgment and creative thinking to identify problems and contribute to their solutions in defined health settings |
| Ethical practice | Apply ethical and sustainable values and practices within defined health settings |
| Knowledge of a discipline | Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills within defined contexts within the field of health. |
| Lifelong learning | Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and work in defined health contexts. |
| Communication and social skills | Communicate information, concepts and solutions, individually and/or in a team, with an awareness of diverse cultural perspective's within defined health contexts. |
| Cultural competence | Communicate information, concepts and solutions, individually and/or in a team, with an awareness of diverse cultural perspective's within defined health contexts. |
Assessment tasks vary from unit to unit and can include essays, reports, audio or video presentations, class participation, individual and group work, online quizzes, case analyses, and examinations. Assessment items are in accordance with learning outcomes and designed to ensure that all the graduate attributes are assessed throughout the course. The performance criteria, grading standards and due dates for assessment tasks are included in each Unit Information Guide. Students receive timely feedback on their assessment submissions.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, 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 receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Please note that online study in this course may require some units to be completed on campus.
Graduates of the Diploma of Health can seek professional work in a range of health professions including as allied health assistants, personal care assistants, disability support workers, case workers, and lab assistants.
The Diploma is also a pathway into a range of Bachelor degrees. Successful completion of the Diploma of Health guarantees entry and up to 8 units of credit (depending on the specialisation taken) towards a linked Southern Cross degree in Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Pedorthics, Bachelor of Podiatry, Bachelor of Speech Pathology, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies), Bachelor of Psychological Science.
Please note that not all units are offered online in health sciences. Please check the specialisation you are interested in for more details about where the units are offered. Psychological Science is the only specialisation offered entirely online. If you are interested in continuing onto a Bachelor degree, check the individual courses for details about where they are offered.
Graduates who proceed to one of the pathway degrees will have a range of career opportunities in their chosen fields.