The Faculty of Health Sciences at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) prepares highly qualified graduates in the areas of biomedical science, clinical education, clinical exercise physiology, counselling, exercise science, health administration, healthcare simulation education, high performance sport, mental health, midwifery, nursing, occupational therapy, paramedicine, physiotherapy, psychology, public health, rehabilitation, social work and speech pathology.
The Faculty of Health Sciences continues to develop its course offerings in response to the growing need for a flexible and responsive health workforce across Australia.
At undergraduate level, 2015 saw the launch of a Bachelor of Biomedical Science in Brisbane, Melbourne and North Sydney and the expansion of the Bachelor of Paramedicine to North Sydney. 2016 sees the expansion of Biomedical Science to Canberra and the introduction of a number of double degrees across our campuses in: Laws/Biomedical Science, Biomedical Science/Business Administration, Biomedical Science/Applied Public Health, Teaching/Exercise Science and Psychological Science/Laws.
The Faculty expanded its postgraduate offerings in 2015 with the introduction of a new Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Simulation Education in Brisbane, Melbourne and North Sydney, and a suite of fully online paramedicine programs. 2016 sees the launch of two new Graduate Certificates in High Performance Sport – in Sport Leadership and in Performance Analysis, and a suite of postgraduate programs in public health as well as a Graduate Certificate in Global Health and Advocacy.
The Faculty is represented on six of ACU’s seven campuses and is one of the largest faculties of Health Sciences in Australia. The Faculty is supported by the following structure:
Six national Schools:
The Centre for Learning and Teaching Health (C4LTH); The Centre for Professional Practice and Partnerships (C4PPP); and three research institutes.
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.
This new centre located within the Faculty of Health Sciences incorporates the ACU Health Clinics; the ACU/Partner Clinical Schools; and all administration services for professional practice placements across the Schools of Allied Health; Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine; Physiotherapy; and Psychology.
The ACU Health Clinics are situated in Brisbane, Melbourne, North Sydney and Strathfield, providing multi-disciplinary health services to ACU students, staff and the wider community. The clinics also provide quality opportunities for student professional practice placement experiences with expert clinicians.
Over the past year, as part of a research intensification program, the University has established three new research institutes, focusing on health sciences - the Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research; the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education; and the Institute for Health and Ageing.
These institutes incorporate areas of research strength across faculties and schools to enable high quality and high impact research in partnership with international and national experts. In keeping with the ethos and philosophy of ACU: promotion of the common good and the dignity of the human person, the institutes are responsive to Australian Government Strategic Research Priorities, including the goal of promoting population health and wellbeing.
ACU has been recognised as having world class research in:
The establishment of new schools (Allied Health and Science) and ongoing recruitment and development of research excellence within existing schools, highlights the University’s commitment to achieving recognition of its research strengths across an increasing number of health disciplines.
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
Page last updated: 2017-06-29
Short url: https://handbook.acu.edu.au/748348
Page last updated: 2017-06-29
Short url: https://handbook.acu.edu.au/748348