Specialist Certificate in Design for Health and Wellbeing

Improve the health and wellbeing of communities through design and position yourself at the forefront of a growing movement

There is increasing recognition that design plays an important role in the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Government bodies, workplaces, schools, universities, not-for-profit and commercial businesses are making health and wellbeing a priority. COVID-19 has further drawn attention to the way space impacts health and human experiences. Design for wellbeing is fast gaining traction as a field.

The Specialist Certificate in Design for Health and Wellbeing is an introduction to why space matters, spatial research methods and how users’ health and wellbeing are impacted by their environments.

As Australia’s first qualification in design for health and wellbeing, the course is designed and delivered by the following leading experts in consultation with industry, and the International WELL Building InstituteTM.

• Associate Professor Christhina Candido holds a PhD in Civil Engineering and Environmental Science with expertise in the design, experience and performance of spaces. Christhina is a member of the IWBI Research Advisory and WELL faculty.
• Dr Kirsten Day is an architect bringing expertise in design thinking, interior architecture and design for disability and health. Her publications and studios explore future scenarios and the impact of change.
• Dr Andrew Martel has been investigating the potential of the NDIS to drive innovation in design for disability. He brings qualitative and quantitative methods to research affordable, family friendly housing, high-density housing and remote Indigenous housing.
• Associate Professor Clare Newton is an architect and Doctor of Education with expertise in learning environments, the workplace and design for ageing.

The course is for both designers and non-designers and focuses on core theories and principals underpinning design for health and wellbeing alongside practical skills needed to implement new ideas.

Drawing on a wide range of expertise, including from the fields of design, architecture, planning, medicine, healthcare, design for ageing and disability, engineering, construction and building, and community management, along with Australian Indigenous cultural knowledges and creative practices, you will gain an understanding of key concepts and practical skills to consider the physical, psychological, social and ecological dimensions of the built environment. This unique skill set will enable you to make a positive impact immediately.

International students are welcome to study this course. However, please note that this course is not available to international students who require a student visa to study in Australia as it does not meet the onshore study requirements and it is not registered with CRICOS.

Course aims

The course aims to equip you with the unique knowledge and skills to improve health and wellbeing through better designed spaces.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for both designers and non-designers from industry as well as recent graduates wanting to expand their knowledge in this emerging field.

Ideal for a range of career levels, from graduate through to manager, leader or senior leader, you could be working in architecture, construction, building operations, urban design, engineering, interior design, healthcare organisations, local and state government departments, professional services and engineering. The course also suits those working in human resources and workplace experience leaders or organisational psychology.

The Specialist Certificate in Design for Health and Wellbeing is a flexible program, designed to enable you to study to the level that suits your learning and career goals.

Pathways

It’s easy to enrol in the Specialist Certificate and continue on to complete the Graduate Certificate.

• Specialist Certificate in Design for Health and Wellbeing
• Graduate Certificate in Design for Health and Wellbeing.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• English language test score requirements

• If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

  IELTS

  6.5

  ---

  with no band less than 6.0

  TOEFL

  79+

  ---

  with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13

  PEARSON

  64+

  ---

  with no communicative skill below 60

  CAMBRIDGE

  176+

  ---

  with no skill less than 169

  *Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

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