The Faculty of Health Sciences at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) prepares highly qualified graduates in the areas of environmental science, exercise science, counselling, midwifery, nursing, paramedicine, physiotherapy, psychology, public health, occupational therapy, social work and speech pathology.
The Faculty of Health Sciences continues to introduce new courses in response to the growing need for a flexible and responsive health workforce across Australia. 2013 saw the expansion of Occupational Therapy to the North Sydney campus as well as the introduction of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology to Melbourne and North Sydney. These new allied health disciplines are being offered at the Brisbane campus for the first time in 2014, as well as dual degrees in Exercise Science/Business Administration, Exercise Science/Public Health and Applied Public Health/Global Studies.
The Faculty has expanded its postgraduate offerings in 2014 with the introduction of new online offerings: a suite of degrees in high performance sport (Master of High Performance Sport/Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport/Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport); mental health (Master of Mental Health/Graduate Diploma in Mental Health/Graduate Certificate in Mental Health); and mental health nursing (Master of Mental Health (Nursing)/Graduate Diploma in Mental Health (Nursing)/Graduate Certificate in Mental Health (Nursing)).
In addition, as a result of a University restructure, the disciplines of environmental science, counselling, psychology and social work and their respective undergraduate and postgraduate offerings now sit within the Faculty of Health Sciences.
The Faculty is represented on all seven campuses of ACU and is one of the largest faculties of Health Sciences in Australia. The Faculty is supported by the following structure:
Six national Schools:
- School of Allied Health
- School of Exercise Science
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
- School of Physiotherapy
- School of Psychology
- School of Science
The Centre for Learning and Teaching Health (C4LTH); and
The Faculty Research Centre.
The Faculty’s courses are developed within the Catholic intellectual tradition with the goal of preparing graduates in health with an emphasis on social justice and equity, and sustainability. The courses on offer within the Faculty of Health Sciences focus on health outcomes and include undergraduate and postgraduate programs of study, along with research degrees.
As part of the curriculum, Health Science students undertake field and clinical experience that is supervised by experienced practitioners. Catholic hospitals and other public, private and specialty organisations, as well as schools and various health, fitness and sports centres offer this valued and essential experience to our students.
As a community of scholars, the Faculty seeks to promote the uniqueness, personal integrity and the potential of each of its members. Its goals are closely linked to the mission of the University with key areas of achievement that include learning and teaching, research and community engagement with specific objectives regarding internationalisation, quality and resource management. The Faculty is committed to helping the vulnerable in society including Indigenous, the elderly and disabled people and aims to enhance the dignity of each individual within its Schools.
If you are enrolling in one of our courses for the first time this year, I extend a warm welcome to you. The Faculty of Health Sciences endeavours to promote an approachable, friendly atmosphere in which students can pursue their studies under the direction of qualified and professional staff. I am sure you will find your studies with the Faculty of Health Sciences a rewarding experience.
Professor Michelle Campbell
Executive Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences