()

Overview  2021

Entry Requirements

See entry requirements

Duration

Minimum

Duration

Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Hobart
Semester 1, Semester 2
Launceston
Semester 1, Semester 2
Cradle Coast
Semester 1, Semester 2
Distance Launceston
Semester 1, Semester 2

This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students

Due to the ongoing response to COVID-19, online study may replace some or all of your on-campus classes. We'll be sure to keep you informed of any changes.
Working with people, you’ll have a real impact on people’s daily lives, with meaningful and fulfilling work. By studying the Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support you’ll gain a practical qualification that will set you up in a rewarding career for life.

This course has been designed to help you start or accelerate your career in the health and community services sector. You will learn the knowledge and skills required to support the delivery of quality health and community services. You’ll also learn essential skills for career advancement such as leadership, management and communication. Developed in consultation with the health and community service sectors, this course will address significant changes in service models and consumer expectation. This course has also been developed to meet the projected increases in role complexity and workforce demands in these sectors.

This course is suited to school leavers pursuing a career in the health, social or community service sectors or those seeking an alternative career choice in health and community services. Individuals with vocational qualifications or relevant experience may undertake the course to upskill into roles with additional functional requirements and higher levels of responsibility, and/or to acquire a formal University qualification.

The Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support has a focus on applied learning opportunities including working with sector leaders, service consumers, organisations, individuals and communities.

Delivered through on-line learning, flexible tutorials, face-to-face workshops, authentic case studies, individual and community projects, the program is available for full-time and part-time students across all campuses in Tasmania. Sector experts and service consumers will be actively involved in the development and delivery of the program to ensure that it remains relevant and up-to-date. The development of a professional portfolio over the duration of the course will enable graduates to reflect upon their learning and provide evidence of their capabilities for potential career opportunities.

On completion of an Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support, graduates are provided with:

  • an entry point to a career in the health, social and community service sectors;
  • an opportunity to accelerate progression within a current job;
  • an opportunity for promotion to a new role;
  • an opportunity to open up a new career path; or
  • articulation into further study at the University of Tasmania.

The Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support aims to draw upon the established principles and values of primary health care, human rights frameworks and community advancement. Using strength-based approaches such as reablement, recovery, community engagement and codesign, applied through case management and care coordination models, graduates will be able to work with individuals, families and communities to optimise and advocate for supportive partnerships and quality, evidence-based outcomes.

Furthermore, the course will bring together the vocational streams of health, community and social services, equipping graduates with the capacity to relate biological, sociological, cultural, environmental and lifestyle factors to health and wellbeing.

Year 1

Students are exposed to authentic and engaged learning experiences designed to develop their understanding of work and the workplace. In the first year of study, students are introduced to:

  • Different methods of and approaches to practice;
  • How issues such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership are reflected in the workplace;
  • The role of reflection and deliberative thinking in developing workplace-based knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations.

Students develop personal responsibility for and autonomy in developing their portfolio of practice (known as a Practice Manual). This is reflected in educational plans developed in consultation with their Academic Coaches and based on a method or approach to practice from, for example projects, data-driven decision making, case studies, field work, simulated environments, design thinking etc.

Year 2

The second year of study builds on concepts of learning through practice from the diploma by introducing students to more complex learning experiences. Students will be introduced to discipline-based skills and knowledge in dynamic practice situations, including:

  • Authentic and purposeful, industry-related experiences
  • Concepts of managing effective relationships and communicating with others
  • The development and use of adaptive leadership skills and how these skills relate to innovative and entrepreneurial practice
  • The nature of responsible, accountable and reflective workplace skills
  • Creative and critical thinking relevant to para-professional practice.

Students will exercise self-awareness, initiative and judgement to manage yourself and professional relationships effectively. The application of tacit knowledge and capabilities will be reflected in a Practice Manual.

Become a Student Ambassador

Improve your communication, teamwork and leadership skills, meet new people, inspire and help others, and developing lasting friendships and networks as a student ambassador. Our ambassadors proudly represent the University throughout Tasmania in schools, at University and community events, and support a range of recruitment and engagement activities. Though the Student Ambassador Program or STEM Outreach Team you will have many opportunities for training and professional development, experience in real-world community engagement and outreach, networking, and public speaking, plus end up with a key point of distinction on your CV.

This course has an applied learning focus including engagement with sector leaders, service consumers, organisation, individuals and communities. Throughout this course, you will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of applied learning experiences, including work-integrated learning, simulated work conditions and case studies. In doing so, you will develop work-ready skills, as well as an e-portfolio for future career planning.

Career outcomes

Graduation from the Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support can provide an entry opportunity for those who are interested in a career in the health and community service sectors with or without prior experience. It will also provide an opportunity to accelerate progression and/or promotion within a graduate’s current organisation, or open up new career paths and opportunities.

Potential career opportunities exist in the voluntary, private, not-for-profit, non-government and/or government sectors in health and community services. Roles include team leaders, coordinators, supervisors, service managers, coaches, service navigators and community development/engagement officers.

Opportunities also exist for graduates to work in direct service roles such as physical health workers, rural health workers and mental health workers or to become service brokers, service planners, project managers, project officers, consultants and administrators, or to pursue roles in occupational, corporate or community health and wellbeing.

Electives offered within this degree provide opportunities for further knowledge expansion and skills development in health, business and/or community development.

Course structure

Entry requirements

Fees & scholarships

Domestic students

Scholarships

For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.

How can we help?

Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.

Domestic
13 8827 (13 UTAS)
International
+61 3 6226 6200
Email
Course.Info@utas.edu.au
Online
Online enquiries

Next steps