Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2010

Pastoral Care

Bachelor of Pastoral Care (Graduate Entry) – Melbourne (Bundoora) (HBPC)

This course is only available to applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree or equivalent.

The course structure is currently undergoing a review and is subject to University approval.

Division of Health Studies: (03) 9479 1750

Coordinator: Dr Bruce Rumbold

Tel: (03) 9479 5269

Duration: 2 years

This 240-credit point program is to be taken full-time, over two years, or the part-time equivalent. Study areas include the history of pastoral care provision, pastoral practice methodologies, public health knowledge and skills, knowledge of the Australian health care system, philosophical approaches to key issues in holistic health care provision and selected cultural contexts of human religious and spiritual belief. A major field placement is included in the course.

The curriculum is based on a philosophy of person-centred, holistic care and is taught within an adult-learning model. Students are encouraged to relate their relevant experiences to the theories and practice presented in the program. The curriculum allows graduates entering, with a health sciences background, to take core public health subjects whilst those with a health sciences background, can choose electives from a range of humanities and social science subjects. Students will be encouraged to make their elective choices, in consultation with the course adviser, to complement the knowledge and skills they bring to the program.

Degree requirements

The course will be offered as a two-year (graduate entry) degree for applicants with at least two years of approved tertiary study. Advanced standing may be offered to candidates who have already completed one or more of the required subjects.

Course structure

Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-1 HLT1IPA Interdisciplinary Professional Practice 15
TE-SEM-1 AST1BCE Introduction to Asian Culture and Traditions 15
  plus one of    
TE-SEM-1 or 2   an approved first year subject in philosophy or religion and spirituality studies 15
TE-SEM-1 HLT1PHW Perspectives of Health and Wellbeing 15
  plus    
TE-SEM-1 elective Can be chosen from anywhere in the University1 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE3DDB Death, Dying and Grief 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE3ISB Illness, Spirituality and Care 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE1PIC Introduction to Person-Centred Care 15
TE-SEM-1 elective Can be chosen from anywhere in the University1 15
TE-SEM-1 PHE2CPH Communication Processes in Health 20
TE-SEM-1 PHE3PFA Participatory Field Study A 30
  plus one of    
TE-SEM-1 AST2INB Introduction to Buddhism 20
TE-SEM-1 HLT2PHP Principles of Public Health Practice 15
TE-SEM-1 PHE2HED Health Education Development 15
TE-SEM-1 PHI2VML Values, Meaning and the Good Life 20
TE-SEM-1 SOC2DDM Disintegration and Dread in Modern Society 20
TE-SEM-1 SOC2EAI Ethnicity and Identity: Social and Political Approaches 20
plus    
TE-SEM-2 PHE3PFB Participatory Field Study B 30
plus one of    
TE-SEM-2 ENG2JCP Jung's Cultural Psychology 20
TE-SEM-2 PHE2LCI Living with Chronic Illness and Disability 15
TE-SEM-2 HLT2CHP Community Health Promotion 15
TE-SEM-2 SOC2SOC Sociology of Culture 20
TE-SEM-2 SOC2TDM Migration, Transnationalism and Diaspora 20

Key: 1. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they satisfy any prerequisites when choosing an elective