()

Overview  2020

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

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

The Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support has been developed in consultation with the health, disability, mental health, aged care, social and community service sectors to address significant changes in service models and consumer expectation. The 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, disability, mental health, aged care or 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, as well as in Sydney. 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.

Experiential education and work integrated learning approaches are central to the Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support. Students will therefore learn through project and problem-based learning activities such as field work, case studies (local and international), action learning, design thinking, simulated environments, placements, data for decision making, wicked problems and more. These approaches ensure practical experiences are placed at the centre of learning and assessment and that students have the opportunity to develop work-related skills, knowledge and behaviours.

In the first year of an associate degree, students are introduced to learning through practice and exposed to authentic experiences that develop skills and understandings related to industry, community or global needs. Students engage with (i) a range of methods and approaches to practice, (ii) principles and perspectives such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership in real world scenarios, (iii) reflection and deliberative thinking as a means of developing knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations, and (iv) ways of understanding problems and developing solutions through active inquiry.

A key component of the course, which is established in the first year, is a Practice Manual. The Practice Manual contains all portfolio requirements for the course, including the Professional Development Plan (PDP) and is a collection of evidence that highlights personal, academic and professional development. Dedicated teachers are in coaching roles to support you to continuously develop your Practice Manual over the duration of the course. This involves working with you to determine what evidence best highlights your ability to apply theory in practice, and what activities and experiences showcase your achievement in terms of transferable skills, professional attributes, technical skills and knowledge, and so forth.

The second year of an associate degree builds on the concept of learning through practice by introducing students to more complex learning experiences. Students are therefore introduced to (i) discipline-based skills and knowledge in dynamic practice situations, (ii) concepts of managing effective relationships and communicating with others, (iii) the development and use of adaptive leadership skills and how these skills relate to innovative and entrepreneurial practice, and (iv) the nature of responsible, accountable and reflective workplace skills, and creative and critical thinking relevant to para-professional practice. In addition, students are expected to exercise self-awareness, initiative and judgement to manage themselves and professional relationships effectively. On completion of the two years, students are expected to have a fully developed Practice Manual that highlights all their achievements, including the development of transferable skills and professional attributes, so they leave with a tangible asset that showcases what industry are looking for.

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, social 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, disability, mental health, aged care, social 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