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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

313507 v.1 Associate Degree in Indigenous Community Health

AssocDIndigComHlth(Curtin)

This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas



Course Overview

Associate degrees prepare students to develop broad knowledge and skills for paraprofessional/highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 6 qualifications.


This course provides Indigenous students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in the policy, planning, health promotion and project management areas of the Indigenous health industry. It aims to empower and strengthen the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through an holistic, multidisciplinary approach that encompasses contemporary Indigenous healing practices, Indigenous self-determination in health, the application of Indigenous knowledge, primary health care, health promotion concepts and practices. This course will enable Indigenous primary health care practitioners to take leadership roles in the formulation and implementation of programs, in particular, through the development and application of Aboriginal Terms of Reference.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au and include flexible entry pathways.


Education, personal and work experience, existing skills, community, family and employer support, and other evidence are evaluated in an assessment process which takes place at regional centres towards the end of each year. It is preferable that prospective students be working, or prepared to undertake voluntary work, in an Indigenous Australian health-related position or similar community work.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to a bachelor degree. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Associate degrees typically contains a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences.


This course is delivered using a block system of education as the mode of delivery. There are four, two-week blocks per annum with a number of individual student field visits (reverse blocks) supported by academic staff each year.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply knowledge of Indigenous Health and Health Promotion principles and practices and understand how they integrate with other health systems

2. analyse issues related to Indigenous health to generate sustainable health outcomes for Indigenous communities

3. access and synthesise information relevant to the development of sustainable health outcomes for Indigenous communities

4. communicate with all stakeholders effectively to ensure Indigenous health needs are addressed

5. use customary and modern technologies relevant to Indigenous Health to interact with, and on behalf of, Indigenous communities

6. take responsibility for own learning and continuing professional development in the health profession

7. work with consideration of pan-Indigenous and global health perspectives

8. respect and understand human rights and cultural diversity, particularly of Indigenous Australians

9. develop ethical leadership and work professionally within a range of multi-disciplinary professions associated with Indigenous Health


Duration and Availability

This course is two years full-time study. Four study blocks per year are conducted at the Bentley Campus and or regional learning centres. Study blocks may also be held at other locations depending upon student numbers and available funds.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
313513 v.1   Indigenous Healing Practices 121 30.0 25.0
313512 v.1   Indigenous Communication Skills 101 30.0 25.0
303237 v.5   Indigenous Issues and Factors in Local Region 114 30.0 25.0
303245 v.5   Indigenous Ways of Working 124 30.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
313515 v.1   Indigenous Health Issues 122 30.0 25.0
313517 v.1   Indigenous Community Development (Health) 124 30.0 25.0
313514 v.1   Indigenous Health Issues 111 30.0 25.0
313516 v.1   Indigenous Primary Health Care 123 30.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
313519 v.1   Health Promotion for Indigenous Australians 210 30.0 25.0
313524 v.1   Australian Political and Health Systems 212 30.0 25.0
313518 v.1   Indigenous Project Management (Health) 211 30.0 25.0
309948 v.2   Indigenous Organisational Practice and Management Skills 222 30.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
313521 v.1   Global Health Perspectives 250 30.0 25.0
313522 v.1   Indigenous Health Project Evaluation 225 30.0 25.0
313523 v.1   Indigenous Professional Practice and Leadership 260 30.0 25.0
313520 v.1   Indigenous Health Project Implementation 223 30.0 25.0
  100.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Centre for Aboriginal Studies on telephone (08) 9266 7091, email cas.enquiries@curtin.edu.au or visit our website: http://gunada.curtin.edu.au.


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.