Bachelor of Health Science (Leisure and Health)

About this course

The Bachelor of Health Science (Leisure and Health) course offered by Charles Sturt University will give you the professional skills and training needed to forge a career in the health and leisure industries. In addition to a comprehensive subject range covering health psychology, legal and ethical issues, the sociology of health care and leisure programming, this online health science course provides you with the opportunity to specialise in either community leisure or diversional therapy.

Shorter programs

If you choose not to study the entire Bachelor of Health Science (Leisure and Health) degree you may be able to complete an alternative program. This is beneficial for students who need to develop a specialisation or who prefer not to commit to the whole study period. Depending on the units studied, you can exit with the Associate Degree in Health Science (Leisure and Health).

Eligibility

To apply for this course, you must submit a two-page essay outlining how the course will benefit your work as a practising health professional, as well as aid you in promoting health and leisure. In addition, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have completed the Higher School Certificate or equivalent; OR
• Have completed or part-completed a course from a university, college of advanced education, TAFE college or other accredited tertiary or post-secondary institution; OR
• Have sufficient and relevant work experience

Students will also require criminal record clearance, a senior first aid certificate and relevant immunisation to apply. Applications for distance education and postgraduate courses are accepted all year round. Provided you are eligible for admission, your application will be held for consideration in the next available intake.

Areas of study

In this health science course, the subjects you will study include: Core subjects:

• Introduction to leisure and health
• Leisure programming with diverse populations
• Foundations of leisure activity
• Legal and ethical issues in health
• Recreation leadership and communication
• Foundations of psychology for health and human services
• Health psychology
• Introduction to sociology
• Sociology of health and health care

Community health and leisure strand:

• Community leisure and health issues
• Community analysis
• Australian government and politics

Plus one of the following sequences:

• Social inequality
• Disabilities issues for families
• Social dimensions of disability

OR

• Organisations and management
• Communication
• Organisational behaviour

OR

• Social inequality
• Drugs, alcohol and gambling 1
• Drugs, alcohol and gambling 2

Plus one unrestricted elective subject. Diversional therapy strand:

• Diversional therapy and leisure practice
• Facilitating positive behaviours

Plus one of the following sequences:

• Gerontology theory and research
• Ageing and professional practice
• Psychology of ageing

OR

• Social inequality
• Social dimensions of disability
• Disability issues for families

Plus one unrestricted elective subject.

Why study with Charles Sturt University?

One of the first universities to adopt distance education study, Charles Sturt University (CSU) is Australia's leading university in online education and continues to strive for innovation and excellence in higher learning. With a track record in graduate employment and strong industry contacts, CSU offers relevant training and workplace skills at both an undergraduate and postgraduate level. CSU specialises in a range of industries such as agriculture, viticulture, education, librarianship, allied health and criminology.

Charles Sturt has 16 campuses in the eastern states of Australia. All CSU students can attend any campus for support and to use available facilities. Campus locations include: Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga.

Student Support

CSU offers a range of student support services, academic learning support and skills development for all its distance education students. Studying with CSU, you will have access to your online subjects, Student Services, the CSU Library, forums and your exam results through student.csu, a personalised online portal.

You will also have entry into CSU Interact, a scholarly environment that connects students and staff online. Each subject you’re enrolled in will have its own subject site housed within CSU Interact, giving you access to learning content, tools and subject forums.