Make a difference in our community

If you want to make a difference amongst vulnerable groups in our communities, to work in ways that enhance human rights through leisure, and to work with disadvantaged groups, especially frail older people and people with disabilities, then Charles Sturt University’s accredited courses in Leisure and Health are for you.

Studying our courses by distance education will allow you to fit study into your life. The Bachelor degree offers a choice between Diversional Therapy and Community Leisure and Health strands, with a focus on social inclusion, empowerment and social justice. The teaching staff are available for consultation and there are online forums for you to discuss your study and course with fellow students. Support tools are available to assist you throughout your study, including learning skills, student services and mature age student forums. Learning support infrastructure includes our state-of-the-art Library and database access. The courses provide the opportunity to upgrade skills and qualifications as you work and offer an approach to education that allows students to develop critical problem solving skills that translates into an empowered approach to practice.

CSU’s courses in Leisure and Health have gained further accreditation by the Diversional Therapy Association of Australia National Council Limited (DTAANC) until 2013, allowing students to become level one practising Diversional Therapists. We have specialist teaching staff, including Catherine Meredith who is the National Secretary of the Diversional Therapy Association. Our staff are actively involved in research and publications within the industry and the Course Coordinator, Marie Sheahan, is published in the Diversional Therapy Journal of Australia. Our students say that the knowledge that they obtain and their capacity to apply this in practice, as well as the challenge of study and learning new concepts, are valuable aspects of studying our courses.

Students of these courses will develop skills in critical thinking, policy development, human rights and relationship to practice, ethical practice, specific programming and program development.

Students doing the Diversional Therapy strand of the degree undertake practicums in the field of their choice, for example aged care, disability and mental health. The practicum component of the course helps to give students to industry knowledge and experience they need to move into their chosen career and industry »