Associate Degree in Healthy Ageing - Exit Award only
The Associate Degree in Healthy Ageing is the equivalent of 2 years of full-time study or 4 years part-time. The course is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The Associate Degree in Healthy Ageing is offered only as an exit award for students currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Healthy Ageing who choose not to complete that program.
Course aims
The Associate Degree in Ageing Studies provides students with a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies from across the University, with a focus on aspects of human ageing. The degree aims to develop student capacity in problem-solving, creative thinking, communication and collaboration within the context of core topics covering attitudes and language, mental health and psychological well-being, gender and ethnicity, enabling environments, physical activity and nutrition. Elective topics enable students to tailor their learning experience to develop knowledge across their areas of interest in aged care, enabling societies, or a more diverse program of study, but all with the aim of preparing students to make a valuable contribution to supporting person-centred living in an ageing society.
Learning outcomes
At the completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- Outline the interdisciplinary nature of gerontology in its approach to understanding ageing;
- Critically analyse contemporary issues surrounding the lives of older people, their families andsociety;
- Evaluate policies and initiatives relevant to supporting the well-being and care of older people;
- Apply the principles of evidence-based, culturally responsive practice to engage with and support older people in ways that enable older people to pursue opportunities to maximise well-being;
- Communicate and collaborate effectively in different settings, especially those designed to support and meet the needs of older people;
- Engage in reflective practice to support ongoing self-development and contribute to learning environments in the workplace.
Program of study
To qualify for the Associate Degree in Healthy Ageing a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.
No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 72 units for the degree.
Core topics
40.5 units comprising the following list of core topics:
AGES1001 Foundation Skills in Ageing Studies (4.5 units)
AGES1002 Attitudes, Language and Communication Influencing the Experience of Ageing (4.5 units)
PALL2000 Ageing and Dying Well: End-of-life Care for Older People (4.5 units)
AGES1004 Mental Health and Psychological Well-being in Later Life (4.5 units)
AGES2001 Health Status in Later Life (4.5 units)
AGES2002 Enabling Environments for Older People (4.5 units)
AGES2003 Physical Activity and Ageing (4.5 units)
NUTD2003 Nutrition and the Ageing Population (4.5 units)
Plus 31.5 units from the following list of option topics:
Option topics
AGES1010 The Experience of Dementia: People Perspectives (4.5 units)
AGES1011 Enhancing Life with Meaningful Activities (4.5 units)
AGES1012 Quality Care and Support for People with Dementia (4.5 units)
AGES1013 Popular Culture and Ageing (4.5 units)
AGES1014 Contemporary Approaches to Aged Care (4.5 units)
AGES2010 Age as an Asset: Productive Ageing (4.5 units)
AGES2011 Perspectives on Elder Abuse and Neglect (4.5 units)
AGES2013 Roles, Relationships and Social Networks (4.5 units)
AGES2014 Leadership in Care Cultures (4.5 units)
INNO2002 Social Entrepreneurship: Doing good while doing well (4.5 units)
NUTD3016 Critical Nutrition and Aged Care (4.5 units)
PALL2000 Ageing and Dying Well: End-of-life Care for Older People (4.5 units)
REMH2001 Indigenous Ageing (4.5 units)
or other topic approved by the Course Coordinator.
The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.
