The Bachelor of Healthy Ageing is the equivalent of 3 years of full-time study or 6 years part-time. The course is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
The Bachelor of Healthy Ageing is available in external delivery mode only and can be completed within a minimum of 2 years offering students the flexibility to study from anywhere in the world and at a pace that meets their individual needs.
Study periods are nine weeks in duration, with four study periods available in each calendar year. In addition, a five week study period will be available as a summer session for selected elective topics. Core and option topics will be offered twice in a calendar year allowing students access to the full range of topics over a 12 month period regardless of the time of admission.
Flinders University recognises that circumstances in life can change and hence offers exit degrees for those students who commence the Bachelor of Healthy Ageing but are unable to complete. These exit degrees include the Diploma in Healthy Ageing, available on completion of 36 units of prescribed topics, and the Associate Degree in Healthy Ageing, available on completion of 72 units of prescribed topics.
Admission requirements
The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.
Course aims
This course is a multidisciplinary degree program aimed at preparing students to not only work with older people, but to consider and develop new opportunities within ageing societies across the globe. Core topics provide a foundation in understanding the diversity of ageing populations as well as health, psychological well-being, enabling environments and nutrition while developing skills in communication, critical and creative thinking, problem-solving and research methods. Elective topics provide students with the opportunity to tailor their learning experience to a broad ranging eclectic degree program in ageing studies or a more focused program of study specific to caring for older people or developing enabling societies in which older people flourish. Graduates of this degree may find employment in areas such as ageing or aged care services, as managers, business, health service and local council/government staff, consultants, policy analysts and service/program developers.
Learning outcomes
At the completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- Outline the interdisciplinary and international nature of gerontology in its approach to understanding ageing;
- Critically analyse global contemporary issues surrounding the lives of older people, their families and society;
- Evaluate international and local policies and initiatives relevant to the quality of life and quality of care of older people;
- Apply the principles of evidence-based, culturally responsive practice to policy development, service development and delivery;
- Communicate and collaborate effectively in different settings, especially those designed to support and meet the needs of older people;
- Propose and execute research and quality improvement methodologies appropriate to ageingand aged care;
- Engage in reflective practice to support ongoing self-development and contribute to learning environments in the workplace;
- Demonstrate leadership skills essential for supporting the development of authentic
partnerships with older people to achieve good outcomes for individuals in a diverse ageing population;
- Prepare for, and professionally develop in, a career in the field of gerontology.
Program of study
To qualify for the Bachelor of Healthy Ageing a student must complete 108 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study. Credit may be granted for study undertaken in an approved undergraduate course or equivalent qualification, which has been completed at an approved institution. The Bachelor of Healthy Ageing must be completed within six consecutive years or, where credit has been granted for previous work, a period determined by the Dean (Education). Students who have completed 36 units of coursework topics and do not wish to continue may choose to exit with the Diploma in Healthy Ageing. Students who have completed 72 units of coursework topics and do not wish to continue may choose to exit with the Associate Degree in Healthy Ageing.
No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 108 units for the degree.
Core - Year 1, 2 & 3 topics
49.5 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)
AGES1003 Ageing and Ethnicity (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)
NUTD2003 Nutrition and the Ageing Population (4.5 units)
AGES2002 Enabling Environments for Older People (4.5 units)
AGES2003 Physical Activity and Ageing (4.5 units)
HLTH3105 Quantitative Methods for Social Health Research (4.5 units)
HLTH3102 Qualitative Methods for Social Health Research (4.5 units)
AGES3001 Contemporary Issues in Ageing Societies (4.5 units)
Plus 58.5 units from the following list of option topics:
Option - Year 1, 2 & 3 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)
AGES2013 Roles, Relationships and Social Networks (4.5 units)
AGES2014 Leadership in Care Cultures (4.5 units)
REMH2001 Indigenous Ageing (4.5 units)
AGES2010 Age as an Asset: Productive Ageing (4.5 units)
AGES2011 Perspectives on Elder Abuse and Neglect (4.5 units)
NUTD3016 Critical Nutrition and Aged Care (4.5 units)
AGES3002 Advanced Studies in Dementia (4.5 units)
AGES3xxx Ageing Enterprise: Rise of the Silver Industries (4.5 units)
AGES3xxx Economics and Ageing (4.5 units)
REHB3004 Restorative Care (4.5 units)
DSRS3xxx Disability and Ageing (4.5 units)
AGES3003 Legal Issues in Later Life (4.5 units)
PALL2000 Ageing and Dying Well: End-of-life Care for Older People (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.
Honours
Graduates of the Bachelor of Healthy Ageing with a GPA of at least 5 are eligible to apply for admission to the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) or Graduate Diploma in Research Methods . Upon completion of either of these programs graduates may be eligible to apply for admission to a Research Higher Degree, including Masters by Research, Professional Doctorate or Doctor of Philosophy.
