Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine

2015 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2015 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2015 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine
Campus	Cloud (online)^
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 the research project in Trimester 3. One core unit will run in block mode – please refer to individual unit handbook entries for further details.
Deakin course code	H522
^ The dominant mode of delivery is in Cloud (online) mode. Some attendance is required at Deakin campus, centre, affiliated industry or other physical site.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

The Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine aims to provide specialist knowledge and skills for those wishing to improve the social, physical and mental health of agricultural communities across Australia. The course aims to enable students to:

Develop a broader knowledge base regarding the underlying causes of poor health in agricultural communities.
Recognise risks and improve health, safety and well-being of Australian agricultural communities.
Improve understanding of the physical and mental health issues encountered by agricultural men, women and children.
Identify and acknowledge the environmental, economical and social influences that result in higher rates of morbidity and mortality in rural and remote Australia
Critically evaluate literature pertinent to the health of the agricultural workforce
Demonstrate higher level skills in rural health and safety scenarios
Improve knowledge and understanding of the occupational health and safety concerns of Agricultural workers
Consider the requirements of successful health policies, services and safety interventions in rural communities.
Understand the impact of poor health on agribusiness, agricultural production and sustainability.
Utilise online resources to investigate and address agricultural and rural health concerns

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, OH&S and agriculture.

Course rules

The Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine consists of 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 students to commence their studies with either HMF701 in T1 or HMF702 in T2 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.

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