Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice

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.

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 programs. The Wollotuka Institute delivers academic programs in health, Aboriginal studies programs 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. Its considerable achievements are respected and it has great success in providing Indigenous students with help and support to ensure they reach their full potential from an all Aboriginal academic and support program staff.

The fully redeveloped degree 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)
• Chinese (C) (Available as a major to pre-2012 students only)
• Community Welfare and Human Services (C,O)
• Creative and Performing Arts (C,O)
• English and Writing (C,O)
• Film, Media and Cultural Studies (C, Flexible Delivery)
• French Studies (C)
• German (C)
• History (C,O)
• Human Geography and the Environment (C)
• Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations (C)
• Japanese Studies (C)
• Leisure and Tourism Management (C)
• Linguistics (C)
• Philosophy and Religion (C)
• Politics and International Relations (C,O)
• Psychology Studies (C,O)
• Sociology & Anthropology (C,O)

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 non-Aboriginal graduates and across Australia consistently over recent years.

Graduates from the Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice will have excellent career opportunities in the following fields of employment: business, government, non-government organisations, land councils, policy analyst, management and administration, health, legal services, tertiary education sectors, legal services, public relations, foreign affairs, case managers, community development officers and general administrators, in both Aboriginal and mainstream career opportunities.

Admission to this program is available to Australian students, residents and international students. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/how-to-get-in/ for information on how to gain entry.

You may also be eligible to receive bonus points if you will be receiving an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/how-to-get-in/domestic-students/options-for-entry/bonus-points.html to see if you may be eligible.

The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is recognised as an avenue of admission to the Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice program.

There is no assumed knowledge for entry into the Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice.

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to the new program, go to http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/credit-transfer/ and click on ‘How to Apply for Credit’.

An additional Honours year is available to meritorious students who successfully 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.

Students are required to take ABOR3999 Aboriginal Professional Experience as a core course in the Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice. This involves a compulsory professional placement for the equivalent of 210 hours.

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements. All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an orientation to familiarise them with the rules, expectations, facilities and services offered by the University. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/international/student-support/ to find out more about the support services available to international students.

Students with disabilities who require reasonable adjustments to undertake their program should contact the Disability Support Service before semester or early in the semester. Some adjustments need up to 4 weeks lead time to organise, so it is imperative that early contact is made. The Disability Support Service and relevant Faculty and School officers will work together to ensure reasonable adjustments are provided in a timely manner.

Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student's responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability/ for more information.

The Psychology Studies Major is not accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Students who are seeking accredited studies in Psychology should seek independent advice from the School of Psychology and relevant Program Officer.

All students can access additional learning development mechanisms provided by the Centre for Teaching and Learning.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.