Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health)

The Djirruwang Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health program at Charles Sturt University (CSU) delivers a tertiary level course in mental health.

The course was developed in collaboration with Aboriginal community-based organisations, the mental health industry and CSU to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It evolved from a pilot program in 1994 at the Southern Area Health Service, NSW.

The Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) is conducted through the School of Nursing and Midwifery and has produced graduates who have been successfully employed at various levels within mainstream mental health, community mental health services, Aboriginal organisations and Aboriginal community controlled health services. It was upgraded to a Bachelor degree in 2000 to provide greater educational pathways and career opportunities for existing and future graduates.

Students are provided with the opportunity to gain formal mental health certificate, diploma or degree qualifications.

The course is conducted over a three-year period, with two semesters each year, and is delivered by mixed mode. This involves a mixture of block release residential teaching (four per year), supplemented by teaching/topic materials (study guides) and compulsory workplace experience (clinical practicum). Each semester students undertake four subjects. All four subjects are taught during two residential teaching blocks in each semester to ensure students are gaining foundation mental health information.

The Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) online course brochure provides more information on admission requirements, how to apply, course structure and links to the subjects that you will study. Further information can be obtained by contacting info.csu or the Course Coordinator.