About our courses

Bridging courses into Health Sciences

A range of programs and services are available to assist students in their preparation for undergraduate studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Contact the School of Human Biosciences for more details on courses including:

Bridging course for students who do not have Year 11 Chemistry
Bridging course in Physiology and Anatomy

Clinical and professional placements

Prospective students should note that most courses require students to undertake unpaid clinical or professional placements. Placements may be located in metropolitan or rural areas, interstate and sometimes overseas. In most courses that require students to undertake placements, the placement involves being assigned to an agency on a full-time basis, over a period of weeks. It should be noted that students may be required to complete clinical placement outside of University semester time. The University maintains insurance policies to protect students undertaking outside, clinical or practical placements as a compulsory course requirement.

Police security clearance procedures

In those courses where students are required to undertake clinical or professional placements, most agencies require students to provide the results of a Victorian and/or New South Wales police security clearance check. As the check is valid for 12 months only, students are expected to obtain a new check in each year that a clinical or fieldwork placement is required as part of their course. If you are unsure about the outcome of a police security clearance check you will need to discuss this with the course coordinator as it may not be possible for you to complete clinical or fieldwork placements. For further information please view the Faculty policy.

Immunisation and health procedures

It is strongly suggested that students undergo a medical examination with a view to preventing or detecting disease. As many institutions are now requiring students/staff to provide proof of immunisations/testing, it is strongly recommended that students take steps to immunise or test themselves against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertuissis (Whooping Cough) and Chicken Pox.

Students with an infectious condition such as HIV or HBV should take every reasonable precaution to ensure that no other person is placed at risk of infection, as advised by their treating doctor. For further information please view the Faculty policy.

Graduate entry into the professions

The Faculty of Health Sciences offers a number of courses to graduates of other disciplines to enable a qualification in a health or social work profession to be obtained in two years. The courses offered are as follows:

General Information

The courses provide an excellent opportunity for students who may have just completed an undergraduate degree to pursue further study immediately. Alternatively it enables those with another qualification who have been working, to return to study and pursue a different direction in their careers. The courses recognise the skills that applicants bring with them through having previously completed an undergraduate degree, thus facilitating the more intensive learning required in these two year programs. The Bachelor of Social Work, the Bachelor of Pastoral Care and the Bachelor of Nursing are offered as Commonwealth Supported Places while the Master of Speech Pathology and Master of Occupational Therapy Practice are available as full-fee paying places only (a FEE-HELP loans scheme is available through the Federal Government for applicants that qualify). Graduates of the above degrees are eligible to apply for immediate registration with the relevant professional bodies once qualified.

Students with a disability

Most of the courses conducted by the Faculty of Health Sciences include some type of clinical or professional practice experience which is a compulsory requirement of the course. The Faculty recognises that professional and clinical placements can present particular challenges to students with disabilities. Every effort will be made to make reasonable adjustments to the learning experience and assessment requirements of a clinical or professional practicum within the requirements of the course.

In order to do this, students who have a temporary or permanent disability of any type which may have an impact upon their ability to undertake a practicum are encouraged to meet with the course coordinator or contact the Equality and Diversity Unit prior to commencement of the course.

Study support

Because university study can be a bit daunting at first the Faculty has implemented the Study Skills Assistance Scheme (SSAS) which provides all Health Sciences students study skills assistance beyond their normal class time. Study skills advisers are available to students for individual consultations as well as group lunch-time seminars.

Further information

You are encouraged to attend a course information session on Open day.

Further written information about courses offered within the Faculty of Health Sciences is available from:

2010 VTAC Guide – will be published by VTAC in July 2009. Telephone: 1300 364 133 or 1902 241 114, or the website www.vtac.edu.au
La Trobe University Course Handbook – available on loan from school or university libraries, or careers resource centres. Available for purchase from the La Trobe University Bookshops.
Study at La Trobe – A Guide to Undergraduate Courses – available from the Future Students Centre . Telephone: (03) 9479 1993 or 1300 135 045.
Health Sciences Postgraduate Prospectus – available from each Division or the Faculty Office.

Faculty of Health Sciences
Telephone: (03) 9479 3583
Email: health@latrobe.edu.au

For further information contact either Bart Strzebonskiin the Faculty Office, telephone (03) 9479 3579.