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Nursing, naturopathy, sport and exercise science, occupational therapy, community welfare, psychology, biomedical science, osteopathic studies …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.
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.
Students select a specialisation of study to prepare them for further study in one of the following disciplines: exercise science and exercise physiology, occupational therapy, community welfare, psychological science, biomedical science, osteopathic studies, naturopathic studies or nursing.
If you are interested in studying online, please note the following:
Additional points to note:
See the Career Opportunities section for information about the Nursing Specialisation, credit arrangements and professional placement.
Nursing, naturopathy, sport and exercise science, occupational therapy, community welfare, psychology, biomedical science, osteopathic studies …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.
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.
Students select a specialisation of study to prepare them for further study in one of the following disciplines: exercise science and exercise physiology, occupational therapy, community welfare, psychological science, biomedical science, osteopathic studies, naturopathic studies or nursing.
If you are interested in studying online, please note the following:
Additional points to note:
See the Career Opportunities section for information about the Nursing Specialisation, credit arrangements and professional placement.
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.
Naturopathic Studies Specialisation:
Community Welfare Specialisation:
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 | 5.5 |
| Reading | 5.0 |
| Writing | 5.5 |
| Listening | 5.0 |
| Speaking | 5.0 |
Students select a specialisation of study to prepare them for further study in one of the following disciplines: nursing, exercise science and exercise physiology, occupational therapy, psychological science, biomedical science, naturopathic studies, community welfare or osteopathic studies.
If you are interested in studying online, please note:
In addition:
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Term 1 |
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Lismore | Term 1 |
| Online | Term 1 |
If you are interested in studying online, please note:
In addition:
International students
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1 | $30,832 ($3,854 per unit) | 0101136 |
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 Diploma of Health, students must complete 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:
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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 |
|---|
Exercise judgement to identify problems and contribute to their solutions in defined health or community settings. |
Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills within defined contexts in the fields of health or community welfare. |
Apply ethical and sustainable values and practices within defined health or community contexts. |
Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills within defined contexts in the fields of health or community welfare. Exercise judgement to identify problems and contribute to their solutions in defined health or community settings. |
Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and work within defined health or community contexts. |
Apply academic knowledge and skills to communicate information, concepts, and solutions individually and/or in a team within defined health or community contexts. |
Demonstrate an awareness of diverse cultural perspectives within defined health or community 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. Please note that the Diploma qualification does not allow you to register to practise as a health professional, nor advertise as a professionally qualified practitioner.
The Diploma is also a pathway into a range of Bachelor degrees. Successful completion of the Diploma of Health enables entry and up to 8 units of credit (depending on the specialisation taken) towards a linked Southern Cross Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology, Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle), Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies), Bachelor of Community Welfare, Bachelor of Social Work or a Bachelor of Psychological Science. Please note duration of Diploma plus a linked Bachelor degree may vary depending on unit availabilities, and Bachelor degrees may have professional placement requirements.
Please note: not all units are offered online. Check the specialisation you are interested in for more details. Psychological Science is the only specialisation offered entirely online. If you are interested in continuing onto a Bachelor degree, check the individual course for details about where they are offered.
Nursing specialisation:
Graduates of the Diploma in the Nursing specialisation who have an Academic IELTS 7.0, with no band less than 7.0, qualify for direct entry into the Bachelor of Nursing. Applicants need to meet the English Language standards specified by NMBA registration standards in order to meet the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) accreditation standards.
Graduates of the Diploma who qualify for direct entry will need to commence the Bachelor of Nursing in early January, with a unit that includes professional placement. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to commencement.
Up to 7 units of advanced standing is included in this pathway. Please note duration of the Diploma of Health plus a Bachelor of Nursing may take longer than 3 years depending on unit availabilities.
All linked Bachelor degrees at Southern Cross University, except Psychological Science, include professional placement. Evidence of compliance for Placement must be provided prior to any professional experience placement and some compliance requirements can take up to 4 months to fulfil. See the Faculty of Health professional experience page.
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.