Is Aboriginal affairs/social justice for you?

If you're Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal looking to gain an informed insight into the oldest continuing living culture in the world and translate this knowledge into rewarding employment in Aboriginal affairs and make a difference, then this is the degree for you. Read more ...

Why study with us?

The all-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teaching and administrative staff who manage the program are passionate and committed to the issues and content contained in this degree. Read more ...

Majors

The fully redeveloped degree (previously the Bachelor of Aboriginal Studies) has a core focus on developing both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students' sense and understanding of Aboriginal culture, history and politics, while simultaneously developing highly desired skills, knowledge, experience and practical preparation. Read more ...

Graduating with Honours

An additional Honours year is available to meritorious students who complete their degree studies with normally at least a credit grade average and any additional work prescribed by the Faculty Board. Read more...

Your future

Career prospects are outstanding for Aboriginal graduates who have maintained higher take up rates into full time employment and more consistently had higher average starting salaries than other graduates across Australia over recent years. Read more ...

Achiever profiles

Why would you do this degree? Find out from graduates, students and academics. Discover how their future is taking shape, and learn first-hand what it's like to study at uni. Read profiles ...

Is Aboriginal affairs/social justice for you?

If you're Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal looking to gain an informed insight into the oldest continuing living culture in the world and translate this knowledge into rewarding employment in Aboriginal affairs and make a difference, then this is the degree for you.

Aboriginal Professional Practice is purposely designed to provide work ready, strong culturally secured and social advocate professionals across a diverse professional field of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal graduates, to a broad career market in Aboriginal affairs, Aboriginal agencies, businesses and industries targeting Aboriginal professional staff and/or professionally qualified staff to work effectively with Aboriginal communities/clients. All this, in a dynamic degree that has been developed in response to the Aboriginal community and the need to meet current and future professional career markets.

Who you’ll be learning from

The all-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teaching and administrative staff who manage the degree are passionate and committed to the issues and content contained in this degree. As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people they take more than just a linear view of the history of Australian Indigenous culture to this point in time. They see a deeper level of framework in which the past, present and future are combined to form a holistic Indigenous understanding as it relates specifically to the wide variety of careers available in the degree.

Flexible learning opportunities

The degree offers a number of on-line courses each semester allowing for greater flexibility within the learning environment.

The University of Newcastle has made Indigenous education one of its highest priorities. Its outstanding innovative leadership from all its Aboriginal staff, at state and national levels in outcomes for Aboriginal students is extremely well recognised at all levels and across broad degrees. The Wollotuka Institute delivers academic programs in health, Aboriginal studies and in research through the highly respected Umulliko Indigenous Higher Education Research Centre and are now housed in the purpose-built award winning Birabahn Indigenous Higher Education Centre. The Institute’s considerable achievements are well respected and it has great success in providing Aboriginal students with help and support to ensure they reach their full potential from an all Aboriginal academic and support program staff.

Majors

The fully redeveloped degree (previously the Bachelor of Aboriginal Studies) has a core focus on developing both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students sense and understanding of Aboriginal culture, history and politics, while simultaneously developing highly desired skills, knowledge, experience and practical preparation for work as a minority professional in either the Aboriginal or mainstream professional career market in an extremely diverse range of occupations defined by your core study in Aboriginal professional practice or area of major study.

You can major in the following course areas (C - Callaghan campus, O - Ourimbah campus):

• Aboriginal studies (C)
• Ancient history and classical languages (C)
• Community welfare and human services (C,O)
• Creative and performing arts (C,O)
• Economic policy analysis (C)
• English and writing (C, O)
• Film, media and cultural studies (C, Online)
• French studies (C)
• German studies (C)
• History (C, O)
• Human geography and the environment (C)
• Industrial relations and human resource management (C)
• Japanese studies (C)
• Leisure and tourism management (C)
• Linguistics (C)
• Philosophy and religion (C)
• Politics and international relations (C, O)
• Psychology studies (C, 0)
• Sociology and anthropology (C, O)

Graduating with Honours

An additional Honours year is available to meritorious students who complete their degree studies with normally at least a credit grade average and any additional work prescribed by the Faculty Board. Application is made direct to the University using the Direct Admission Application form. Contact the relevant Program Officer.

Your future

Graduates enjoy a wide variety of career opportunities in public service in critical areas of Aboriginal health, education, social service and housing; in public policy, Aboriginal organisations, teaching at both TAFE and university and in community development.

Graduates have enjoyed a wide variety of careers and the degree has seen many rise to prominent positions in their chosen careers.

Achiever profiles

Kate

Past: Bachelor of Aboriginal Studies
Present: Manager International Business Unit - TAFE NSW – Hunter Institute

Degree studied at the University of Newcastle: Bachelor of Aboriginal Studies

The Bachelor of Aboriginal Studies provided me with an amazing education experience, not only did I learn theoretical information but I was fortunate to undertake practical activities such as cultural experience where we were taken on a journey and was afforded the privilege of the personal and cultural aspects of Aboriginal life.

I also had the opportunity to be taught by highly respected Aboriginal lecturers. They played a significant role in my successful completion of the degree - they shared their wisdom and knowledge freely which enabled me to fulfil my dreams.

After the degree, I went onto study a Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies. From there I worked as a:

• Aboriginal Legal Aid
• Project Officer, TAFE NSW Hunter Institute, Purrimaibahn Aboriginal Unit
• Manager Major Projects, Purrimaibahn Aboriginal Unit, TAFE NSW Hunter Institute

More recently I relieved in the role of Manager Access and Equity where I oversaw the management of the Purrimaibahn Aboriginal Education and Training Unit and provided leadership to senior level TAFE NSW Hunter Institute staff on our commitment to Aboriginal education.

Undertaking the Bachelor was a life changing experience, I met so many respectful and humble Aboriginal people which I will always hold dear to my heart.