Diploma in Arts and Social Sciences

at Southern Cross University - Gold Coast Campus Australia

How do we think and learn? How do we control our movements and behaviour? What makes us tick? Exploration of the human mind and behaviour is a fascinating field and this degree is an equally fascinating educational journey into behaviour, cognition, and psychological principles and theory.

We have designed our Bachelor of Psychological Science to be a rich, flexible, and highly engaging learning experience. It will shed light on how humans work, individually and in sociocultural groups, and will take you inside your own head –to develop a deep and real understanding of your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviour. It will take you across many different fields of psychological practice –many you will never have considered. You will be working with an academic team comprising active researchers publishing their work in international journals.

This degree will help you develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as proficiency in research and statistics, all of which will inform your ability to apply scientific approaches in professional settings as well as enhancing your understanding of yourself and of the world.

Early childhood education is an immensely satisfying career and a precious opportunity to give children the very best start in life.

Within 10 months, our Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) will qualify you to be an early childhood teacher to work in early childhood education and care services, long day care centres, and preschools.

Our course covers key areas of early childhood education and care, theory, principles and practices that best support children's learning and development. Admission into the course is via an undergraduate degree in any discipline, including a teaching qualification.

The Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies) is a pathway towards a career in osteopathy.

Providing a comprehensive grounding in anatomy and physiology, you’ll develop deep knowledge of the connections between the structure and function of your bones, joints, muscles and nerves.

With experience drawn from a clinical setting, and complemented by teaching around biomedical science and health, you’ll gather essential knowledge into how our bodies function and why, and what to do when those functions falter. The course includes the study of advanced levels of anatomy and physiology, particularly the structure and function of the muscular and nervous systems.

The Bachelor of Education qualifies you to be a teacher in Australia, and many countries overseas. Our evidence-based course draws on the Faculty of Education’s leadership and research in teacher education that is responsive to local and global contexts.
 
Graduates will be qualified as a teacher in one of the following five areas:

• Early Childhood/Primary (6 weeks to Year 6);
• Primary (Kindergarten/Prep to Year 6); English Primary Specialisation and specialisation in Science and Maths available
• Primary/Secondary (English Primary Specialisation and one Secondary specialisation);
• Secondary (Two teaching specialisations); or
• Secondary: Design and Technology (choose from Industrial Technology, or Food and Fibre, plus one Secondary specialisation).

The first year of the course provides a distinctive foundation with excellent grounding in literacy, numeracy, and subject content, as well as issues in contemporary education.
 
Within the four-year full-time equivalent degree (or 3.5 years fast tracked*), you also undertake core learning in Indigenous education, sustainability, inclusive (special) education, along with curriculum and pedagogy learning across disciplines.

Technology Secondary

In this specialisation you undertake Design and Technology secondary subjects and combine these with either Industrial Technology or Food and Fibre plus a second teaching area from a range of subjects.

The one-year Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours adds to the skills and knowledge acquired during the Bachelor degree, and moves students closer to a career as a registered psychologist.

You will explore pre-professional skills in psychology, such as interview and counselling skills, culturally responsive and ethical practice in psychology, basic assessment strategies in psychology and psychometric theory, and how to appraise evidence-based psychology interventions across different settings.

With the guidance and support of our academics, you will conduct a research project in psychology and grow your understanding of research methodologies and data analysis.

Psychology honours completed after a three-year accredited sequence of study in psychology is the minimum qualification required to apply for the fifth year of accredited study. This is part of the 5+1 pathway for provisional registration as a psychologist in Australia. It is also required training to apply for Clinical Masters programs and can qualify graduates for entry into postgraduate research programs such as a PhD.

Do you want a health career that could transform the lives of others by helping them achieve tangible results?

Occupational therapists’ work is diverse. They adapt environments, activities or equipment to enhance participation in everyday tasks, assisting people of all ages and abilities to do what they need and want to do at home, work, school and in the community.

You will develop a range of clinical skills in the University’s state-of-the-art facilities and during your professional placement, preparing you for work in diverse health care environments.

As an occupational therapist you could for example develop inclusive playground experiences and environments for children of all abilities; you could recommend workplace changes that would assist an injured worker to return to work; or you could design home modifications or public transport changes that would ensure access for a person using a power wheelchair.

Indigenous Health

This major can be studied at Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour campuses and offers students the opportunity to build theoretical and practical capabilities in cultural protocols and Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Embedded placement opportunities equip graduates with the professional skills required to contribute to the improvement of health and social outcomes in Australian communities.

In order to meet the Australian occupational therapy competency standards this course is structured in accordance with professional body recommendations. All students complete studies in the following areas:

Professional Areas: occupational therapy theory and practice; occupational therapy assessments and interventions related to biomechanical, sensorimotor, psychosocial and cognitive performance, activities, engagement and participation at home, at school, at work and in the community; occupational transitions across the lifespan; evaluation of occupational therapy programs; health promotion; and professional experience/fieldwork.

Social Sciences: psychology and sociology for health sciences, Australian health care system, Indigenous studies, research methods, nutrition in health, and small business and entrepreneurship.

Biological Sciences: anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and neuroscience.

The internationally-recognised MBA develops business knowledge and practical skills to advance your career in today’s competitive global markets. You'll gain a broad understanding of contemporary management operations, as well as learning how to solve complex issues and manage the challenges of technology and finance, and other critical business factors.

Your professional expertise will be honed by completing practical assessment activities in leadership, problem solving and communication skills. In addition to core units, the course builds substantial expertise in an area through the completion of a research project.

You have the option of selecting either a specialisation, which includes an industry research project, or choosing two elective units from a wide range of subjects together with the industry research project. The industry research project is ideal for developing extensive knowledge of an issue related to your current workplace or to a career you wish to pursue.

The Bachelor of Education qualifies you to be a teacher in Australia, and many countries overseas. Our evidence-based course draws on the Faculty of Education’s leadership and research in teacher education that is responsive to local and global contexts.
 
Graduates will be qualified as a teacher in one of the following five areas:

• Early Childhood/Primary (6 weeks to Year 6);
• Primary (Kindergarten/Prep to Year 6); English Primary Specialisation and specialisation in Science and Maths available
• Primary/Secondary (English Primary Specialisation and one Secondary specialisation);
• Secondary (Two teaching specialisations); or
• Secondary: Design and Technology (choose from Industrial Technology, or Food and Fibre, plus one Secondary specialisation).

The first year of the course provides a distinctive foundation with excellent grounding in literacy, numeracy, and subject content, as well as issues in contemporary education.
 
Within the four-year full-time equivalent degree (or 3.5 years fast tracked*), you also undertake core learning in Indigenous education, sustainability, inclusive (special) education, along with curriculum and pedagogy learning across disciplines.

Secondary

 In this specialisation, you choose two teaching subjects from the full range of secondary subjects.

Information technology is not just a pathway to your future; your degree could help you shape the future. Technology is everywhere, affects everyone and is never still. If IT is your passion, our Bachelor of Information Technology immerses you in a field that is driving our world forward.

If you dream of developing amazing software, designing multimedia experiences or creating tomorrow’s smart systems, this degree provides the technical, analytical and creative skills you need. Study on campus or online and take advantage of optional internship units that add hands-on, real-life experience.

Tailor your studies through the choice of a major in business analytics, networks and cybersecurity, software development or user experience.

Whether as a programmer, designer, web developer, systems analyst, database administrator, project manager, ICT network professional or technical support personnel, the Bachelor of Information Technology is the beginning of what could be an amazing future.

Digital Interaction and the User Experience

Students develop the skills to design and develop multimedia resources and interactive  programs that support a great user experience. Students develop an ability to select and use multimedia resources that facilitate engagement and usability.

Looking for a pathway to a Bachelor degree in business, information technology or tourism?

The one-year Diploma of Business gives you the opportunity to develop academic and business skills in areas that could include business, finance, management, economics, marketing, tourism and information technology. In addition to core units, you may choose a specialisation in either business and enterprise, information technology, tourism or business.

Successful completion of the Diploma will guarantee you entry and up to eight units of credit towards a Southern Cross University Bachelor degree in business and enterprise or information technology.