AUT - Applied Mental Health major: Bachelor of Health Science
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Applied Mental Health major: Bachelor of Health Science
Mental Health is an exciting and extremely rewarding area of New Zealand's health and social services. With this major, you will gain the skills and knowledge required for mental health work.
Bachelor of Health Science: degree outline
Overview
This major allows you to gain knowledge, theoretical understanding and experience in a wide range of mental health issues and themes, such as mental wellness and illness, violence, trauma and addiction. The teaching for this degree is enquiry-based and experiential; this interactive approach encourages you to contribute knowledge and experience to the class. There are 3 opportunities for industry placements, giving you the chance to relate theory to practice and gain experience in mental health work.
Want to enrol in a programme: Apply online
Structure
Below is a summary only. For a comprehensive overview of this qualification, please refer to the Academic calendar.
Year 1
You will study core or compulsory papers from across the degree.
Core papers
555101 Lifespan Development
555201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
555301 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication
555401 Health and Environment OR 555339 Māori Health, Development and Environment
565313 Personal and Professional Development
566425 Group Theory and Practice
565427 Mental Health and Wellbeing
565605 Introductory Research Methods
Years 2 and 3
You take papers from your major area(s) of study and undertake your industry work placements.
Year 2 papers
566401 Psychopathologies
566423 Theory Skills and Interventions I
566506 Practicum I
566507 Practicum II
567424 Theory Skills and Interventions II
And 3 electives from the following:
565317 Perspectives on Violence and Trauma
565501 Social Political Context of Mental Health
567512 Critical Issues in Violence Studies
566502 Mental Health and Mental Illness
566503 Skills for Supporting Recovery in Mental Health
567100 Introduction to Applied Transactional Analysis
567527 Advanced Intervention for Addiction
567532 Assessment and Intervention in Addiction
567533 Professional Practice in Addictions
Year 3 papers
556301 Methods of Research and Enquiry
557221 Health Law and Policy
557224 Professional Practice and Ethics
567408 Counselling Skills for Professional Practice
567429 Practicum III
And 3 electives from the following:
527872 Māori Health Promotion
567100 Introduction to Applied Transactional Analysis
567403 Social and Cultural Analysis
567411 Recovery in Mental Health
567413 Child and Youth Mental Health Issues and Interventions
567417 Utilising Supervision in Practice
567418 Foundation Knowledge for Psychotherapy
567422 Introduction to Narrative Therapy
567426 Group Facilitation and Programme Development
567431 Applied Primary Māori Mental Health
567523 Cognitive Behavioural Approaches
567527 Advanced Intervention in Addiction
567528 Smoking Cessation
567529 Tobacco Control
567531 Presenting Populations in Gambling
567534 Gambling Studies
Te Ara Hauora Māori papers
Students who seek careers with a Māori development perspective should select the following 4 papers as electives or alternative course of study;
555339 Māori Health, Development and Environment (instead of 555401 Health and Environment)
527872 Māori Health Promotion
567431 Applied Primary Māori Mental Health
567417 Utilising Supervision in Practice
Minor subject options
Within the applied mental health major, you can also undertake minors in counselling, addictions, mental health support, and violence and trauma.
Double major option
This applied mental health major can also be completed as a double major with psychology within a 3 year period.
Career opportunities
- Non-government organisations, including Women's Refuge; residential and day care mental health agencies; refugee and migrant agencies; organisations that assist older people and gambling and addiction agencies
- The justice sector, including probation, court work in victim advocate roles and work with Child, Youth and Family
Graduates and students of health science
Your other Bachelor of Health Science study options
You can choose to study the degree without a health major:
Or you can choose to major in one of the following specialised areas:Or you can choose one of our clinical degree areas:
Other courses you may be interested in
Bachelor of Business & Bachelor of Health Science (psychology) conjoint degree
Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Addictions
Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Health Science
Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management
Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies