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CDU student Robyn Bennet
Postgraduate Coursework

Graduate Diploma of Health and Social Care

Key details

Duration

1 year/s full-time
2 year/s part-time
1 year/s full-time

Intake

Semester 1
On campus - Semester 1
Online - No
Important Dates

Locations

Casuarina campus, Online
Casuarina campus

Credit points required

80

Course code

THSCR1
SATAC codes

Overview

Our Graduate Diploma of Health and Social Care provides health, allied health professionals, and graduates the prospect to study a program to meet specific professional development needs to expand employment opportunities and as a pathway to future post-graduate studies. With expert guidance, you are able to design a multidisciplinary degree, tailored to meet your specific professional needs and career aspirations.

This program delivers the latest evidence-based research through innovative subjects, to provide you with the skills necessary to navigate the complex and growing challenges faced in complex organisations and allied health and social service delivery.

As a student you will:

  • Gain the skills to evaluate and implement current research evidence to inform your area of interest or practice
  • Customise your qualification to suit your professional practice with a diverse range of subjects
  • Expand your knowledge and gain practical skills in your area of interest or practice
  • Develop competencies for interprofessional practice required within anticipated environments which services are delivered
  • Learn via flexible online study to suit your busy schedule.

The Graduate Diploma of Health and Social Care encompasses an interdisciplinary, international and evidence-based approach, facilitating collaboration and networking between students from around the globe. It is intended to fit flexibly around the busy practice of professionals, providing you with the opportunity to upskill while still working.



Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Non-Commonwealth supported places

Full fee paying places are available in this course.

Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

International tuition fees

The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2024 is AUD $31,584.00. This equates to $ $3,948.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.

You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.

CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.

Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to upskill in the field of healthcare. Advance your career with CDU's wide range of postgraduate health courses to develop specialist skills and knowledge that help you transition into leadership roles.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Top 5 Australian university for postgraduate teaching quality in health services and support (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to upskill in the field of healthcare. Advance your career with CDU's wide range of postgraduate health courses to develop specialist skills and knowledge that help you transition into leadership roles.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Top 5 Australian university for postgraduate teaching quality in health services and support (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance

What will I study?

The Graduate Diploma of Health and Social Care is a bespoke course. The core units provide essential knowledge and skills that underscore professional knowledge.

Course structure

An extensive range of specialist electives may be chosen by students from one or more disciplines and provide specialised and technical knowledge with a focus on acquisition and application of theoretical concepts, research skills, critical analysis relevant to your area of interest and expertise in the health and social service fields.


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core

(2 units)
20Compulsory Core units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below:



HSC501 Interprofessional Practice

MAN516 Resilience Management and Leadership

 
Specialist Electives

(6 units)
60

Specialist Elective units totalling 60 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below:

HEA506 Health Workforce

HEA515 Health Informatics

HEA516 Leading for Change

HEA518 Working with Vulnerable Populations

HEA519 Quality and Safety in Healthcare

HEA522 Advanced Mental Health Practice

HEA532 Mental Healthcare and Trauma

HEA541 Culture in Practice

HEA542 Informing Practice with Evidence

HEA594 Working in Partnership with Individuals, Families and Communities

NUT502 Nutrition Across the Lifecycle

NUT504 Food, Society and the Environment

NUT505 Public Health Nutrition

NUT506 Nutrition and Disease

PHM516 Indigenous Health

PHM523 Health Promotion

PHM525 Indigenous Health Research

PHM526 Research Design

PHM527 Research Ethics and Impact

PHM529 Sexual and Reproductive Health

PHM552 Epidemiology

PHM554 Public Health Economics and Decision Making

PHM559 Health Policy

PHM566 Chronic Conditions Control

PHM567 Public Health

PHM570 Epidemiology and Control of Communicable Disease

PHM588 Qualitative Research

PHM592 Global Health

SWK551 Engaging Vulnerable Families

SWK556 Trauma Informed Practice

SWK571 Creative Therapy: Principles and Practices

SWK573 Creative Ways of Working with Diverse Groups

SWK575 Creative Approaches to Case Work and Assessment

 

Course Total80 

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)

 

Study plan

Students Commencing in Semester 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:
-    maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
-    check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area.

Full-time Study Plan

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
HSC501 Interprofessional PracticeCOMAN516 Resilience Management and LeadershipCO
Specialist Elective 1SESpecialist Elective 4SE
Specialist Elective 2SESpecialist Elective 5SE
Specialist Elective 3SESpecialist Elective 6SE


SPECIALIST ELECTIVE unit availability

Semester 1Semester 2

HEA506 Health Workforce
HEA515 Health Informatics
HEA516 Leading for Change
HEA518 Working with Vulnerable Populations
HEA519 Quality and Safety in Healthcare
HEA532 Mental Healthcare and Trauma
HEA542 Informing Practice with Evidence
HEA594 Working in Partnership with Individuals, Families and Communities
NUT504 Food Society and Environment
PHM516 Indigenous Health
PHM523 Health Promotion
PHM526 Research Design
PHM552 Epidemiology
PHM554 Public Health Economics and Decision Making
PHM566 Chronic Conditions Control
PHM567 Public Health
PHM592 Global Health
SWK551 Engaging Vulnerable Families
SWK571 Creative Therapy: Principles and Practices
SWK575 Creative Approaches to Case Work and Assessment
 
HEA506 Health Workforce
HEA515 Health Informatics
HEA522 Advanced Mental Health Practice
HEA541 Culture in Practice
NUT502 Nutrition Across the Lifecycle
NUT505 Public Health Nutrition
NUT506 Nutrition and Disease
PHM525 Indigenous Health Research
PHM527 Research Ethics and Impact
PHM529 Sexual and Reproductive Health
PHM559 Health Policy
PHM570 Epidemiology and Control of Communicable Disease
PHM588 Qualitative Research
SWK556 Trauma Informed Practice
SWK573 Creative Ways of Working With Diverse Groups




 

 

Students Commencing in Semester 2

There is no semester 2 intake into the Graduate Diploma of Health and Social Care

 

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master's degree, or equivalent international qualification.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.

DOMESTIC STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - International students   
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40)Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4
IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake)A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.  
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.  
 

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.

Nikki

CDU student

Nikki Govan

My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.

Nishat

CDU student

Nishat studying

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.

Nikki

CDU student

Nikki Govan

My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.

Nishat

CDU student

Nishat studying

Course details

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Graduate Diploma of Health and Social Care
Faculty/College
Faculty of Health
Sector
HE
Area of study
Health, Allied Health Sciences

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.

International applications

Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.

You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.

Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.

SATAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
Casuarina campus (FF)
1GD543
Online (FF)
1GD543
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

CRICOS codes

Location
CRICOS Code
Casuarina campus
111588K

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