Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
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Duration
3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
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Location
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Placements
Yes
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ATAR
65
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Inherent Requirements
Yes
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.5
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
BHSc(HlthLifest)
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Course code
3007319
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Credit points
288
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Equivalent units
24
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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, health promotion project 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 |
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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 52 hours of professional placement. Elective units may include additional placement hours.
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 |
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Gold Coast | Term 1 , Term 3 | N/A | N/A |
Lismore | Term 1 | N/A | N/A |
Career Outcomes
Graduates are eligible to apply for membership with the Complementary Medicine Association and Massage & Myotherapy Australia.
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.
Entry requirements
To meet the University’s minimum English Language Proficiency requirement an applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:
- satisfactory completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the Recognised Countries (see below), including at least two years between years 7 and 12; or
- completed at least two years (full time equivalent combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed solely in English, in one of the Recognised Countries; or
- a. the IELTS (academic module) minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 6.5 in each of the four components: or
- the PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 59 and a minimum score of 59 in each of the four communicative skills; or
- the TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 79 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 20 listening, 19 reading, 24 writing, and 20 speaking; or
- successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes 3 program at SCU College.
Recognised Countries means the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA.
Please note, Rule 2 Schedule B test scores equivalencies do not apply to this course.
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
Category | Score |
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Overall Score or equivalent | 6.5 |
Reading | 6.5 |
Writing | 6.5 |
Listening | 6.5 |
Speaking | 6.5 |
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 and 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 and 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 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award |
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First Year |
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HLTH1004 | The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar |
Term1,3
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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HLTH1001 | Introduction to Science for Health Professions |
Term1,3,5
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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INDG2001 | Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples |
Term2,4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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HBIO1009 | Introductory Anatomy and Physiology |
Term2,3,5
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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HBIO1010 | Integrated Anatomy and Physiology |
Summer Term
Term3
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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NATM2004 | Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Foundations |
Term3,5
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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BIOL2007 | Biochemistry |
Term2,4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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PSYC1009 | Introducing Health Psychology |
Term2,4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Students are eligible to exit with the Diploma of Health following completion of the above 8 units | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Second Year |
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STAT2001 | Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners |
Term1,4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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PHAR2001 | Introductory Pharmacology |
Term1,3,5
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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NATM2005 | Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Ethics and Law |
Term2
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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NUTR2001 | Nutritional Medicine |
Term1,2,3
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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NATM2001 | Botanical Medicine |
Term1,3,5
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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NATM2003 | Massage and Mind-body Medicine |
Dual Term3
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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HLTH2002 | Exercise Physiology |
Term4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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NATM2002 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Assessment, Microbiology and Immunity |
Term2,4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Third Year |
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NATM3001 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 2: Integumentary and Gastrointestinal systems |
Term1,3
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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NATM3002 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 3: Musculoskeletal and Nervous systems |
Term2,3
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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NATM3003 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 4: Cardiovascular and Respiratory systems |
Term2,4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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PBHL2002 | Health Promotion |
Term3
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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NATM3004 | Clinical Studies in Naturopathic Medicine 5: Urogenital and Endocrine systems |
Summer Term
Term3
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Options | ||||||||||||||||||||||
WELF1003 | Counselling Theory and Practice |
Term4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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HLTH5009 | Practice-Based Health Research |
Term4,5
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||
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Core Units |
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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 | ||||
HLTH5009 | 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: | |||||