Program Overview

Diploma in Health (Mount Gambier)

The Diploma in Health (Mount Gambier) provides an alternate pathway to bachelor level study for students who have an ATAR, TAFE Certificate III or IV or have completed UniSA Foundation Studies. Students build academic literacy and study skills as well as undertaking foundational discipline specific courses.

Aim

The aim of the Diploma in Health (Mount Gambier) is to provide students with a foundation for further study in health-related fields. Upon successful completion of the diploma, students can apply to transition, via competitive entry, into a UniSA bachelor degree in a related field such as nursing or midwifery offered at Mount Gambier.

Content and Structure

The program consists of 36 units of study, comprising six foundational courses designed to develop academic literacies and foundational level discipline knowledge, and two electives from approved specialisation areas including nursing and public health. Students pursuing a midwifery pathway will complete seven foundational courses designed to develop academic literacies and foundational level discipline knowledge and one elective from the midwifery discipline.

Entry Requirements

• Recent secondary education: Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent, and qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points.
• Vocational Education and Training (VET): Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate III or Certificate IV level.
• Work and life experience: Qualify for Special Entry, or complete a University enabling program or equivalent, or hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past.

Essential Requirements for Admission

Prerequisites

None

Assumed Knowledge

None

Courses

The following courses are part of the Diploma in Health (Mount Gambier):

• Introduction to Academic Life
• Introduction to Biosciences
• Applied Computer Practices
• Elective 1
• Critical Thinking: Media and Academia
• Introduction to Anatomy
• Introduction to Human Physiology
• Elective 2

Electives are to be selected from the list above, aligning with the discipline area students wish to pursue in their bachelor degree. Some electives may have prerequisite requirements, and elective selection should be discussed with College staff.

Program Director

Dr Natasha Wilson

Related Degrees

• Diploma in Health (Whyalla)
• Diploma in Health (Biomedical Science)
• Diploma in Health
• Diploma in Health (Sport)
• Diploma in Health (Allied Health and Human Performance)

Rules

1. Students are required to complete the diploma within 2 years to transfer into an undergraduate degree, subject to competitive entry. Students who do not transfer into an undergraduate degree within this time will be required to apply via SATAC.
2. Commencing students may have their enrolments withdrawn if they fail to engage with their studies.
3. This program requires weekly participation in all enrolled courses. Student engagement is monitored, with a lack of participation or contact with student support services and/or the Program Director resulting in students being unenrolled from courses they have not engaged with.
4. To meet entry requirements, students planning to articulate into the Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery upon successful completion (subject to competitive entry) must consider the professional registration requirements, including the English Language Skills standard, and complete a declaration stating how they will demonstrate their English language competency, as determined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

Notes

1. Electives are to be selected from the list above, aligning with the discipline area students wish to pursue in their bachelor degree. It is important to note that some electives may have prerequisite requirements, and elective selection should be discussed with College staff.
2. Students may elect to study UniSA Online electives within the Public Health discipline and must discuss with the Program Director prior to enrolment.
3. Undergraduate degrees in health may have pre-placement requirements that must be met prior to commencement.
4. Due to professional accreditation limitations within the Bachelor of Midwifery, students pursuing this pathway are permitted to obtain a maximum of 4.5 units of credit.
5. Students pursuing a nursing or midwifery pathway are not permitted to complete UniSA Online electives for credit purposes.