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, exercise science, health administration, healthcare simulation education, high performance sport, human services, mental health, midwifery, nursing, nutrition science, 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, while the University continues to invest in its infrastructure with the development of physiotherapy facilities in Ballarat, an exercise laboratory in Canberra as well as science laboratories at five of ACU’s seven campuses.
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.
At undergraduate level, 2018 saw the introduction of the Bachelor of Nutrition Science to the Melbourne and North Sydney campuses. In 2019 the Faculty launches a Bachelor of High Performance Sport and Bachelor of Sport and Outdoor Education to Brisbane, Melbourne and Strathfield campuses, in addition to a Bachelor of Human Services to the Brisbane, Canberra and Strathfield campuses.
At postgraduate level, 2018 saw the expansion of our Master of High Performance Sport in Leeds UK and Notre Dame USA. The Faculty expands its postgraduate offerings in 2019 with a Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries and the Master of Family and Systemic Therapy.
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:
As part of the curriculum, health sciences 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.
The Faculty supports the field and clinical experiences of our students and ensures every student within the Faculty has access to appropriate, sustainable and high-quality professional practice placements.
ACU provide multi-disciplinary health services to ACU students, staff and the wider community which also provide quality opportunities for student professional practice placement experiences with expert clinicians.
The Faculty also has a high rate of student mobility where students undertake short or semester studies overseas. Depending on their discipline of study, students may have the opportunity to participate in international experiences in countries such as Chile, Taiwan, USA, Italy, France, Vietnam, Cambodia, UK or China.
All undergraduate students have an opportunity to participate in community engagement activities locally or off-shore. In conjunction with ACU Engagement, we work with our local partners to identify relevant opportunities for students and groups to participate in activities with organisations whose mission and values are consistent with ACU’s. Students can participate in community engagement activities offshore in locations including Timor-Leste and Vanuatu.
As part of ACU’s research intensification strategy the Faculty of Health Sciences has continued to strengthen its research agenda. The Faculty has experienced continued growth in research performance across all metrics and a remarkable achievement in the latest Excellence in Australia Research (ERA) round.
ACU has been recognised as having well above world standard research in the research areas of nursing; human movement and sports sciences; public health and health services; and psychology. ACU has achieved above world standard in the medical and health sciences research area. The Faculty continues to provide a wide range of research support initiatives to cement our position as a leading contributor to health sciences research.
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: 2019-09-25
Short url: https://handbook.acu.edu.au/1422300
Page last updated: 2019-09-25
Short url: https://handbook.acu.edu.au/1422300