/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/current-students/images/Coffs-harbour_student-group_20220616_33.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/current-students/services/counselling/images/RS21533_English-College-Student_20191210_DSC_6961.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/study/scholarships/images/STEPHANIE-PORTO-108-2.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/study/arts-and-humanities/images/RS20958_Chin-Yung-Pang-Andy_20190309__79I5562-960X540.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/experience/images/SCU-INTNL-STUDY-GUIDE-280422-256.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/dep-site-assets/component-library/screenshots/online-1X1.jpg)
Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
-
Start Date
-
Duration
3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
-
Location
-
Course abbreviation
BHSc(HlthLifest)
-
Course code
3007319
-
Credit points
288
-
Equivalent units
24
-
Indicative Fee
Overview
The World Health Organisation estimates a projected shortfall of 18 million health workers by 2030 – building the health workforce is a global health priority.
The Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) is a foundation degree for students who wish to pursue a career in health, naturopathic medicine, or lifestyle medicine.
To practice as a Clinical Naturopath, students must successfully complete the Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) and the Southern Cross University Master of Naturopathic Medicine. The total full-time duration for this clinical training program is four years. This is the only four-year program in Naturopathic Medicine offered in Australia where students will graduate with a Masters degree.
This course allows students to develop an understanding of health science, social science, lifestyle medicine, clinical science, scientific enquiry and naturopathic medicine. Students will also develop a theoretical and practical understanding of health promotion through undertaking a work-integrated health placement or professional engagement with Aboriginal communities.
This degree provides graduates with a solid foundation in evidence-based practice and a deep understanding of naturopathic medicine’s philosophical foundations of preventing ill-health, improving patient health outcomes, supporting a patient’s innate ability to heal and addressing the underlying causes of illness.
This is the only undergraduate Naturopathic Medicine degree in Australia offering Commonwealth Supported places (HECS-HELP).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Interpret evidence-based clinical-decision making frameworks appropriate for contemporary health and lifestyle contexts |
GA2: Creativity Use initiative and problem-solving skills to respond creatively to intellectual, professional, environmental and social challenges |
GA3: Ethical practice Understand and function within applicable professional competencies, scope of practice, codes of conduct, codes of ethics, laws and policies |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Demonstrate broad and coherent understanding of health and lifestyle philosophies, theories and frameworks in applicable professional contexts Demonstrate a body of knowledge and skills derived from the physical, biological, behavioural, clinical and social sciences |
GA5: Lifelong learning Use reflection to guide professional development and to be a self-directed and life-long learner |
GA6: Communication and social skills Demonstrate and apply well-developed verbal and written communication skills applicable to diverse settings with high academic and professional integrity Collaborate effectively with a diverse range of individuals, groups and interdisciplinary teams |
GA7: Cultural competence Demonstrate respect and responsiveness to socio-cultural preferences, needs and values of individuals and groups in diverse settings Display social responsibility to others in the community and within the broader healthcare setting |
This course includes a professional placement, with the choice of either a work-integrated health placement or professional engagement with Aboriginal communities.
There are regulatory requirements that students must meet before commencing professional placements.
The Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) provides a direct pathway into the Master of Naturopathic Medicine.
The 24 units of study in this course (including 23 core units and 1 elective unit) centre around three themes:
- Profession and Principles: professional contexts in naturopathic medicine 1-2; language and learning in your discipline.
- Practitioner and Practice: exercise physiology; introductory pharmacology; nutritional medicine; botanical medicine; manual and mind-body medicine; clinical studies in naturopathic medicine 1-5; work-integrated health placement (elective); working with Aboriginal communities I (elective).
- Patient and Population: introduction to science for health professionals; human anatomy; human physiology I and II; biological chemistry and human metabolism; psychology and sociology for health professionals; introduction to evidence for health science practitioners; health promotion and wellness; counselling theory and practice; practice-based health research.
| Location | Teaching period | UAC code | QTAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1 , Term 3 | N/A | N/A |
| Lismore | Term 1 , Term 3 | N/A | N/A |
Career Outcomes
Graduates may be eligible to apply for membership of the Complementary Medicine Association.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Health Science (Heath and Lifestyle), students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points) comprising:
- 23 core units (276 credit points), and
- 1 option unit (12 credit points).
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with the Diploma of Health after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) comprising the first eight units.
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
Course structure
Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Available | Credit points | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award |
||||||||||||||||||||||
First Year |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH1004 | The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar |
Term1,3
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH1001 | Introduction to Science for Health Professions |
Term1,3,5
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1009 | Introducing Health Psychology |
Term2,4
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| HBIO1009 | Introductory Anatomy and Physiology |
Term2,5
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| HBIO1010 | Integrated Anatomy and Physiology |
Term3
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM2004 | Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Foundations |
Term3,5
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| BIOL2007 | Biochemistry |
Term2,4
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| INDG2001 | Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples |
Summer Term
Term2,4
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Students are eligible to exit with the Diploma of Health following completion of the above 8 units | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Second Year |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| NUTR2001 | Nutritional Medicine |
Term1,4
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PHAR2001 | Introductory Pharmacology |
Term1,5
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM2005 | Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Ethics and Law |
Term3
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM2001 | Botanical Medicine |
Term1,3,5
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH2002 | Exercise Physiology |
Term4
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| STAT2001 | Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners |
Term1,4
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM2002 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Assessment, Microbiology and Immunity |
Term2,5
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM2003 | Massage and Mind-body Medicine |
Term5
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Third Year |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| PBHL2002 | Health Promotion |
Term3
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM5001 | Practice-Based Health Research |
Term5
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM3001 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Integumentary and Gastrointestinal systems |
Term5
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM3002 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 3: Musculoskeletal and Nervous systems |
Term3
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM3003 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 4: Cardiovascular and Respiratory systems |
Term4
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| WELF1003 | Counselling Theory and Practice |
Term4
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATM3004 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 5: Urogenital and Endocrine systems | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| NATM3005 | Work-integrated Health Placement | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| OR | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| INDG2005 | Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement) |
Term2
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| OR | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PBHL3001 | Health Promotion Project |
Term4
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Units | |||||
| HLTH1004 | The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar | ||||
| HLTH1001 | Introduction to Science for Health Professions | ||||
| PSYC1009 | Introducing Health Psychology | ||||
| HBIO1009 | Introductory Anatomy and Physiology | ||||
| HBIO1010 | Integrated Anatomy and Physiology | ||||
| INDG2001 | Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | ||||
| BIOL2007 | Biochemistry | ||||
| NATM2004 | Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Foundations | ||||
| Students are eligible to exit with the Diploma of Health following completion of the above 8 units | |||||
| STAT2001 | Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners | ||||
| HLTH2002 | Exercise Physiology | ||||
| PHAR2001 | Introductory Pharmacology | ||||
| NATM2005 | Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Ethics and Law | ||||
| NUTR2001 | Nutritional Medicine | ||||
| NATM2001 | Botanical Medicine | ||||
| NATM2003 | Massage and Mind-body Medicine | ||||
| NATM2002 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Assessment, Microbiology and Immunity | ||||
| WELF1003 | Counselling Theory and Practice | ||||
| NATM5001 | Practice-Based Health Research | ||||
| NATM3001 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Integumentary and Gastrointestinal systems | ||||
| PBHL2002 | Health Promotion | ||||
| NATM3002 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 3: Musculoskeletal and Nervous systems | ||||
| NATM3003 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 4: Cardiovascular and Respiratory systems | ||||
| NATM3004 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 5: Urogenital and Endocrine systems | ||||
| Choose one of the following option units: | |||||