Study with the Department of Rural Health Sciences
We are meeting rural workforce challenges by attracting students from rural areas, providing them with rural placements, and producing graduates who are proud to build their careers in regional areas.
Our contemporary, evidence-based courses in Nursing, Midwifery and Mental Health focus on practical skills in rural health and on preparing students for careers that are professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling.
Our postgraduate research degrees, and continuing professional development programs, give health professionals the opportunity to upskill, reskill, advance into leadership roles, or pursue research.
Courses
Student experience
Our students are taught by knowledgeable and caring academic staff. They learn in a supportive environment where they are encouraged to develop the practical skills and theoretical knowledge they need to graduate with confidence.
With access to our extensive network of rural healthcare services and industry partners, our students can connect with peers, academics and rural health professionals to build new knowledge and practices together.
Find out how we set out students up for success.
At La Trobe University, we have a longstanding commitment to diversity, inclusion and social justice; our students are among the most diverse of all Australian universities, and we are committed to providing a learning environment and workplace where all students and staff feel valued, respected and supported to achieve their full potential.
We care about building a connected community that actively champions diversity and inclusion to help people thrive. We achieve this by supporting our people, valuing diverse thinking as a key driver of innovation, and holding ourselves to account in delivering a culture where equity is a way of life.
La Trobe is committed to promoting equal opportunities and support for all students and staff, with a focus on six key pillars: cultural, disability, gender equality, Indigenous, LGBTIQA and life stages.
Find out more about our services and events.
We want our students to have an excellent experience with us. Our goal is to create a positive learning environment that not only supports learning, but also encourages our alumni to return to La Trobe to engage with professional development and short courses.
We meet regularly with student representatives, and host forums to stay attuned to the evolving needs of our student cohort. Our commitment to small class sizes ensures that students have easy access to our dedicated staff and state-of-the-art teaching facilities.
Students can engage socially through the La Trobe Rural Health Club. School and campus events also provide students with opportunities to connect with peers and network with members of their future professions – creating a sense of community and collaboration.
There are comprehensive support services available at La Trobe, at all our campuses and online, to optimise student success, help when needed, and contribute to an enriching overall experience.
A range of scholarships and financial support is also available. Find out more.
Our students get exposure to the workplace through our work-based learning and clinical placement programs in rural and regional settings.
These opportunities equip students with the discipline skills and confidence to practice safely and effectively upon graduation, and gain experience in varied practice environments.
La Trobe’s Bachelor of Nursing, for example, supports students to undertake 800 hours of clinical placement starting from their first year of full time study. This immersive approach gives students early exposure to practical scenarios, enhancing their understanding of the healthcare sector.
We also have strong links and partnerships with industry. Students benefit from opportunities to forge connections within these networks spanning regional and rural Victoria, and border town communities.
The result: A comprehensive learning experience that prepares students for the dynamic landscape of professional practice in nursing, midwifery, mental health, health promotion and public health.
The Department of Rural Health Sciences is globally connected with many international partners. Staff and students are encouraged to take a world view of health and wellbeing.
Many of our staff actively participate in collaborative research projects spanning Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Europe.
Our students can undertake short placements abroad, enhancing their learning and personal development.
Additionally, our Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experiences enable students to engage in multicultural classroom learning with peers from around the world. In 2023, our students participated in COIL programs with counterparts in Sweden and Mexico.