Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine

2017 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2017 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2017 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from 2017. If you require a course map from a previous year, please contact a Student Adviser.
Campus	Cloud (online) Some attendance is required at the National Centre for Farmer Health, Deakin centre, affiliated industry or other physical site.
Cloud Campus	Yes
Duration	Students are likely to undertake the GCAHM on a part-time basis over Trimesters 1 and 2 with the option of concluding elective units in Trimester 3. One core unit will run on campus in block mode – please refer to individual unit handbook entries for further details.
Deakin course code	H522
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Quality Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Some attendance is required at the National Centre for Farmer Health, Deakin centre, affiliated industry or other physical site.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Improve the social, physical and mental health of agricultural communities across Australia with our Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine.

This course aims to allow students an insight into the physical and mental health issues encountered by people within the agricultural industry. You will explore what influences higher rates of morbidity and mortality in rural and remote Australia, and what influences successful health policies and safety intervention programs.

By understanding these issues, along with learning the impact of poor health on agribusiness, agricultural production and sustainability, you will be placed to make a significant difference in Australia’s agricultural communities.

Indicative student workload

As a student in a Cloud (online) course in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 8-10 hours every week studying, interacting via CloudDeakin and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course. You will also be expected to attend the National Centre for Farmer Health, Deakin centre, affiliated industry or other physical site - see individual unit descriptions for full details.

Professional recognition

The course is recognised by AgriSafe^TM Australia and enables clinically trained graduates to become an AgriSafe^TM practitioner. The course is accredited to offer continuing education and professional development points through a number of professional colleges and associations, including the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, the Australian Association of Social Workers, the Australian Veterinary Association, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

Note: This course is currently accredited as at the date of publishing. The eligibility of students to be recognised as an AgriSafe^TM practitioner is subject to meeting the requirements of AgriSafe^TM Deakin University makes no representation that students will meet those requirements.

Career opportunities

The Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine (GCAHM) opens a variety of exciting career paths by providing students with a strong foundation in agricultural health, safety, wellbeing and sustainability. After successful completion of this course you will have the academic, practical and research skills to work in a range of career paths spanning health service provision, rural research, health management, health promotion, agricultural productivity, sustainability and rural policy. The GCAHM provides an important opportunity to those who are currently, or plan to be, rural and remote professionals in the fields of medicine, nursing, health, health management, rural policy, WH&S and agriculture.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply the general principles of agricultural health and medicine in the professional environment.
Communication	Demonstrate verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills using discipline-specific language and lay-terms necessary to explain and justify decisions to consumers, communities and professional colleagues.
Digital Literacy	Demonstrate knowledge and skills regarding the latest technological developments including social media; and select and use appropriate technologies to conduct research; and provide information to people in agricultural settings.
Critical thinking	Critically evaluate policy, promotional and scholarly materials, research data, and farming environments; to make recommendations to influence and/or improve the health, wellbeing and safety of Australian agricultural communities.
Problem Solving	Display flexibility and independence in applying an advanced body of knowledge, within the field of agricultural health and medicine, to solve problems regarding health, wellbeing and safety within agricultural communities.
Self-management	Establish and maintain a lifelong commitment to applying research knowledge and principles in an evidence-based collaborative approach to agricultural health and medicine, demonstrated through reflective practice and leadership.
Teamwork	Establish and maintain collaborative, professional and respectful relationships when working in a team to achieve a common goal and take a leadership role when appropriate.
Global Citizenship	Apply knowledge of cultural, social and broader international matters in the field of agricultural health and medicine and act in a responsive manner to regional and rural issues.

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine students must attain 4 credit points, of which 2 credit points must be the core units HMF701 Agricultural Health and Medicine and HMF702 Healthy and Sustainable Agricultural Communities.

The course structure is highly flexible and permits you to commence your studies with either HMF701 in Trimester 1 or HMF702 in Trimester 2 and then to complete either a 2 credit point minor research project or alternatively undertake 2 credit points from the course-grouped electives in the coursework stream.

If you are undertaking the coursework stream you will have the flexibility to choose any combination of the 6 listed elective units or alternatively you may choose unlisted 700-level units provided the units are relevant to the field of Agricultural Health and Medicine and you have written approval from your course director.