B Health Science

Health Promotion, Health Services Management, Therapeutic Recreation
Note: Social Health Studies major has been cancelled.

University of Western Sydney
    CRICOS provider number: 00917K


CampusType of
place		UAC code IntakeCourse duration
(years)		 2008 UAI
cut-off		Indicative annual
tuition fee+		CRICOS
course code
Penrith IFEE  704370  February, July 3 62.05 A$ 17 200 044779G
IFEE - course available to international applicants.
+ Tuition fees may be subject to change; contact UWS International for up-to-date prices. Students will be expected to pay the fees current at the time of their enrolment.

Assumed knowledge: Any two units of English.

Major studies: Health promotion, health services management, social health studies, therapeutic recreation – refer to key programs below.

Practical experience: A number of units require students to undertake fieldwork experience in a variety of government and non-government settings. The extent of fieldwork placement required will depend on the chosen specialisation and will occur predominantly in the second and third years of the degree. Fieldwork placements allow students to apply content-based skills covered in classes to develop practical skills and understanding of workplace procedures, policies and working relationships.

Honours: Available as an additional year to meritorious students.

Professional recognition: Graduates can apply for full membership with the following associations: the Australian College of Health Services Executives, the Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals, the Public

Health Association and the Diversional Therapy Association of Australia (for Therapeutic Recreation graduates).

Career opportunities: Examples include positions in health promotion, health education, health services administration, health policy and planning or as a research/project officer. Specific areas of graduate employment include working in health promotion teams in area health services. These range from youth health, injury prevention, sun safety, quit smoking, nutrition and physical activity promotion to community development and capacity building. You may also be qualified to work with ethnic groups and the Indigenous

population as well as local councils and non-government organisations to improve the health status of disadvantaged groups.

Diversional therapists (therapeutic recreation practitioners) work in the health sector, particularly in aged care services, hospitals, rehabilitation and psychiatric units. Co-ordinators of therapeutic recreation programs also work in a variety of community engagement environments such as local councils and community settings.

The flexible structure of the course means that, if you wish to, you can complete a double major or combine your major with a wide range of available sub-majors.

Health Promotion

This program focuses on facilitating changes that improve health status. Students will develop skills enabling them to work on specific health promotion projects such as injury prevention, nutrition and physical activity, smoking, HIV/AIDS awareness, and community development projects, as well as in areas that deal with policy initiative, services planning, development and evaluation.

Health Services Management

This program aims to develop introductory level health managers and project workers who will understand, and facilitate, the new directions that health care systems are taking. This key program is accredited by the Australian College of Health Services Executives (ACHSE). In recent years a number of graduates have won highly competitive traineeships with the ACHSE.

Social Health Studies

This program aims to give graduates an in-depth understanding of the social and behavioural processes contributing to health and illness. It allows students to draw from a suite of specialist units that examine the social and behavioural nature and social impact of health and illness within society. It also provides access to the latest research and knowledge about health in society.

Therapeutic Recreation

This course involves the study of recreation and leisure theory and practice. It explores therapeutic use of these activities for people with special needs. Therapeutic recreation specialists are specifically educated to work in a broad range of health care and community settings. The course strongly emphasises self-directed learning, which means fewer contact hours on campus and more time applying the principles of leisure and recreation in real world health and community settings.

Note: Special government policies apply.