Bachelor of Health Science (Applied Mental Health) - AUT University

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Mental health support and related services are increasing in demand as many New Zealanders find they need professional support, counselling, education and intervention to deal with life challenges such as mental illness, trauma and addiction. This degree uses a multidisciplinary approach where the perspectives of different social and health sciences are combined and applied to a wide range of applied mental health situations and issues.

This degree provides the foundation for graduates to work in a range of disciplines within the applied mental health sector. Graduates will develop the core competencies and capabilities to understand, support, empower and lead within New Zealand’s health and social services. Within the Applied Mental Health major, students can also undertake minors in mental health support, violence and trauma, counselling and addictions, or they can complete the degree as a double major with Psychology.

Programme Code: AK3680
Level: 7
Points: 360
Duration: Three years full time / Maximum six years part time
Venue: North Shore Campus
Starting date: 3 March 2008 / 21 July 2008
Application deadline: 16 November 2007 / 27 June 2008

AUT encourages early application.
Late applications will be accepted if the programme is not full.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• University Entrance
• Must meet Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act requirements
• Police clearance

Note: Entrance to university does not guarantee admission to a specific programme of study.

SPECIAL ADMISSION

Applicants over 20 years of age who do not hold a university entrance qualification (such as NCEA or CIE) may qualify for university entrance via Special Admission.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for whom English or Māori is not their first language are required to provide proof of an acceptable pass/grade gained in an accepted English language test. 

THE KEY SKILLS YOU WILL ACQUIRE

• Counselling methodology
• Assessment and intervention skills to work safely, ethically and effectively with a range of clients from diverse cultures and populations
• Skills to facilitate recovery and empowerment
• Interpersonal communication, group work and facilitation skills
• Analytical and critical thinking
• Reflective practice and utilizing supervision
• Self awareness, personal growth and development

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

• Local government
• Community work
• Non governmental organisations
• Policy analysis
• Research
• Human and social sciences

The graduate will gain an understanding of:

• Psycho-social factors that impact on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, families, groups and communities
• Social Justice
• Mental illness and recovery practices
• Violence, abuse and trauma prevention and intervention
• Addiction and intervention including public health approaches
• Working with vulnerable client populations
• The health context of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Graduates will gain the theory and practice needed to work in the fields of:

• Family violence, trauma and abuse
• Community Mental health including community support, advocacy and recovery
• Drug, alcohol and substance abuse
• Problem gambling.
• Non government organisations
• Māori and Pasifika community mental health
• Victim support
• Violence education and prevention
• Community support work
• Justice sector
• Family/whanau youth and community work
• Refugee and migrant services
• Pre-entry into the psychotherapy (child or adult) profession.

FURTHER STUDIES

Bachelor of Health Science (Honours)
Graduate Diploma in Child Mental Health
Graduate Diploma in Psychosocial Studies
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
Master of Health Practice
Master of Health Science
Master of Philosophy
Doctor of Health Science
Doctor of Philosophy

PAPERS

YEAR ONE
555101 Psychology and Lifespan Development
555103 Interpersonal Skills for Health Professional Practice
555321 Human Structure and Function
555338 Health in the Context of Aotearoa/New Zealand OR
555339 Māori Health and Development
556102 Knowledge for Health Research
565313 Personal and Professional Development
566425 Group Theory and Practice I
565427 Mental Health and Wellbeing

YEAR TWO
566401 Psychopathologies
566423 Theory Skills and Interventions I
566506 Practicum I
566507 Practicum II
567424 Theory Skills and Interventions II
And THREE electives from the following:
565316 Family Violence Theory and Policy
565317 Perspectives on Violence and Trauma
565501 Social Political Context of Mental Health
566312 Critical Issues in Violence Studies
566502 Mental Health and Mental Illness
566503 Rehabilitation and Recovery in Mental Health
567100 Introduction to Applied Transactional Analysis
567527 Advanced Intervention in Addiction
567532 Assessment and Intervention in Addiction
567533 Professional Practice in Addictions

YEAR THREE
556301 Intermediate Research OR
557221 Health Law and Policy
557224 Professional Practice and Ethics
567408 Counselling Skills for Professional Practice
567429 Practicum III
SELECT THREE:
527872 Màori Health Promotion
567100 Introduction to Applied Transactional Analysis
567403 Social and Cultural Analysis
567407 Clinical Populations
567411 Recovery in Mental Health
567412 Critical Incident Stress Management
567413 Child and Youth Mental Health Issues and Interventions
567417 Utilising Supervision in Practice
567418 Foundation Knowledge in Psychotherapy
567422 Introduction to Narrative Therapy
567426 Group Therapy and Practice II
567431 Applied Màori Mental Health
567523 Cognitive Behavioural Approaches
567524 Online Communities and Communication *
567526 Technology Mediated Counselling and Psychotherapy*
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:
555339 Māori Health and Development (instead of 555338 Health in the Context of Aotearoa/New Zealand): and both
527872 Māori Health Promotion AND
567431 Applied Primary Māori Mental Health as electives or alternative course of study.
Te Ara Hauora Māori students are supported to form relationships with Māori health providers and communities, and AUT Māori staff and students.

*Online Counselling and Psychotherapy: Papers 567524 and 567526 can be taken as stand alone papers for professional development for both existing and intending health professionals wanting to learn and practice theories and skills in delivering healthcare online. Students need to enrol in these as AKCOP.

Enrol in Graduate Certificate in Health Science, which can include the two online Counselling papers listed above plus two papers from any undergraduate Health degree at AUT. You will be guided in your choice of papers by the programme leader, BHSc (Applied Mental Health).