Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) aims to prepare graduates who have appropriate knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes to work competently as a mental health worker within their own communities and mainstream mental health services.

Originally designed in collaboration with a community-based Aboriginal Mental Health Steering Committee and the Greater Southern Area Health Service, this course was specifically designed for Indigenous mental health practitioners to meet the needs of the mental health workforce with a specific understanding of contemporary health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Today, this specialist course aims to prepare graduates to work within mental health services with all members of the community, with an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, their families and communities. It places mental health workers within a multi-disciplinary team working alongside other health professionals, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

What will I learn?

An understanding of primary healthcare, cultural safety, equity and socio-cultural aspects of care will enhance the graduates' understanding and appreciation of the clients' and their family's experience of emotional and social trauma and mental health problems.

Students may elect to exit the course following the completion of the first year of study with the Diploma of Health Science (Mental Health), or the first two years of study with the Associate Degree in Health Science (Mental Health).

Credit and articulation

Students who have already successfully completed the previously offered stand-alone Diploma of Health Science (Mental Health) or equivalent are awarded 128 points of credit into the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health).

All recognition of prior learning will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

More information about credit and pathways.

Additional admission requirements

Refer to the workplace learning section for information on:

• Immunisation
• National Criminal Record Clearance

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.