A new feature within the Faculty of Health is a common first year among our applied science degrees. The Faculty believes that students receive a broader education as a result of mixing closely with other disciplines early in their tertiary education and, depending on their performance, have the opportunity to transfer to another health discipline if it is more to their liking. Diversional therapists provide leisure and recreation services to people whose ability to participate in such activities has been impaired by physical, emotional, cognitive, developmental, social or environmental challenges. An important part of current diversional therapy practice is the provision of leisure and recreation services to older people, often in residential care units or nursing homes. The course is designed to provide students with a reflective approach to practice.
Students study basic and applied sciences including anatomy, psychology and sociology.
Professional subjects build upon these when exploring the theory, practice and profession of diversional therapy. Professional practice preparation is gained through diversional therapy fieldwork subjects. On and off campus clinical learning permits the integration of theory and practice. In senior years of the course, students have the opportunity to pursue professional interests through electives in diversional therapy subjects. Any two units of English plus either 2u Biology or 2u Chemistry or 2u Physics or 3-4u Science.