Welcome to the Faculty of Health

Diane GibsonThe Faculty of Health at the University of Canberra aims to contribute to building a healthier community, both in the ACT and nationally. The Faculty trains nurses and midwives, psychologists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dietitians, nutritionists, exercise scientists, sport management and media professionals, and experts in coaching and exercise science. We are also intent on developing additional courses to respond to skills shortages and the needs and interests of people in the ACT and surrounding regions.

Both the Faculty and the University have a bold vision for the future, guided by the University’s strategic plan which sets out a clear and focussed forward direction, promoting excellence in teaching, expanding research capacity, and engaging with the ACT community and its region.

This is an exciting time for the Faculty of Health. In 2009, 2 new degrees commenced: the Bachelor of Midwifery and the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing. We established a new Cross Faculty Institute in Sport Studies, UCNISS (National Institute of Sport Studies at the University of Canberra) to drive forward a re-invigorated and expanded agenda in sport studies and exercise science.

In 2010, we will have our first intake into the Master of Exercise Science (Semester 2), and commence an Honours degree in Sport Science (Semester 1) the Graduate Certificate in Research (Health), Post Graduate Diploma in Research (Health) and a Masters of Health by Research. For those already working in health policy or health practice, these research degrees offer the opportunity to develop your skills in areas relating to policy analysis and research.

The University of Canberra has traditionally been known for delivering professional education and undertaking applied research. We are harnessing these strengths by bringing research, policy and practice together with the establishment of our new research centre, CeRAPH (Centre for Research and Action in Public Health). What we learn through research can be taught to our students as part of the sharing of best practice, and in turn both teaching and practice will shape the questions our staff pose in their research.

Through the Faculty of Health Clinics and headspace ACT our staff and students are obtaining experience in work-integrated learning here on campus as well as in health services across the Capital Region. There is scope to build on the existing relationships between our experts in disciplines from psychology and nutrition through to physiotherapy and sports science, to pharmacy, midwifery and nursing. Opportunities for inter-professional learning mirror the trend in health provision for different disciplines to work together, particularly in areas of emerging national importance such as primary care, prevention, mental health and the management of chronic disease. The Faculty of Health, both staff and students, look forward to meeting this challenge.


Discipline Areas

The Faculty of Health is organised into six discipline areas:

  1. Nursing and Midwifery
  2. Nutrition and Dietetics
  3. Pharmacy
  4. Physiotherapy
  5. Psychology
  6. Sport Studies

We also host the Centre for Research Action in Public Health (CeRAPH), the Faculty of Health Clinics - Allied Health Service, and the National Institute of Sport Studies (UCNISS).


Teaching and Learning

Faculty of Health courses take place in purpose-built buildings, with well-equipped laboratories, hospital-like wards, kitchens including institutional cooking and refrigeration equipment, pharmacy dispensing units, a range of physical laboratories for exercise and physical assessment, work placements and online.

Other supports for teaching and learning include:

Should you wish to provide feedback on our performance in health education, please email the Associate Dean (Education).

 

Work Integrated Learning

Many of our courses include work-integrated learning placements to build practical skills in locations such as the Faculty of Health Clinic, hospitals, pharmacies, community organisations, and sporting venues. Work-integrated learning is essential to ensure our graduates meet the standards set of regulatory and other accrediting bodies, as well as our industry partners.

*News* 4th February 2010. Our Knowlege Our Future: Clinicians workshop. This workshop is designed for clinicians who are working with pre-service nursing, midwifery or allied health students.

Requirements

Health workers are expected to be immunised according to a schedule against a range of diseases.  Students should also be screened regularly for tuberculosis. As such, students are strongly advised to be fully immunised prior to entering their study program. Costs associated with immunisation are met by the student.

The nature of health work requires students to work with vulnerable populations such as the frail elderly and children. The University's health partners now insist that students undergo a police record check. Those students with criminal records will undergo an interview with the course convener prior to placement. Costs associated with the police record check are met by the student.

The Clinical and Field Placement Handbook (TBA) advises on the policies of the University for Students who undertake work-integrated learning placements. The Handbook is available to students, teachers and organisations that host University of Canberra students. Each of the discipline groups will also have handbooks to govern work-integrated learning. 

For more information please visit our Health Placement website.

Further opportunities

The University of Canberra Faculty of Health, in partnership with the Australian National University Medical School, provides opportunities for students to undertake an interprofessional placement in a rural community. Students who are interested in this opportunity should let their course convener know.

The University of Canberra recognises the contribution of its partners in facilitation of student learning through the Professional Adjuncts program. Individuals interested in becoming a Professional Adjunct of the University can contact the Associate Dean (Education) for more information.

If you would like further information regarding the Faculty of Health's Work-Integrated Learning Placements, please contact: FoHClinicalAdmin@canberra.edu.au

More information regarding work-integrated learning placements.