Health WIL
placement units

  • Undergraduate Health Practicum
  • Undergraduate Psychology at Work (Internship)
  • Postgraduate Health Practicum

Program Overview

Deakin’s Health WIL Placement programs are for non-clinical students enrolled in the following placement units:

Undergraduate

Health Practicum

Health Practicum aims to provide students with an in-depth, working understanding of public health, health promotion and health science approaches in the field. In addition to developing a practical understanding of their field of study, this experience will help students further develop the professional and personal skills required to work in their sector.

Undergraduate

Psychology at Work (Internship)

Psychology at Work (Internship) provides students with a detailed understanding of how psychology is applied in a work setting. The skills developed will enable students to develop further strategies to assist them in gaining meaningful employment at the completion of their studies in psychology and to make a successful transition to work.

Postgraduate

Health Practicum

Health Practicum provides students with the opportunity to undertake an authentic experience of postgraduate-level work, to develop knowledge, generic skills and graduate attributes that enhance future employment. Students will complete a practicum in an area of public health, health promotion, health economics, disability and inclusion and/or health and human services management.

Undergraduate
UnitCoursesHours and durationTimeframeMode
Undergraduate
Health Practicum
Health Sciences
Public Health and Health Promotion
Exercise and Sport Sciences
Nutrition Sciences
120 hours over a block of 3 weeks full time or on agreed days/times across up to 10 weeksMarch -June
July - October November - February
Online, in person or blended

Work/projects typically completed by students on placement:

  • Conducting a literature review, collating, and analysing relevant data
  • Researching and preparing documentation for a funding submission
  • Evaluating and reporting on the efficacy of a program
  • Assisting with the delivery of direct service programs to individuals and groups in the community
  • Assisting with the planning, implementation and evaluation of a specific event, program, or intervention
  • Conducting a needs assessment, involving key members of the community and stakeholders
  • Developing a new printed or web-based resource to market the organisation’s services
  • Designing and implementing a social media campaign, including writing blogs and posts
  • Designing and implementing a survey, focus group or data collection with a particular population/target group.

Supervisor Eligibility:

We highly recommend that placement supervisors possess a minimum of approximately 3 years of experience in their fields. This ensures that they bring a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to guide and mentor our students effectively. However, we understand that individual circumstances may vary, and we encourage potential supervisors who may not meet this specific requirement to engage in discussions with our Health WIL Team. We believe in flexibility and are open to considering alternative qualifications or experiences that could contribute to the enriching mentorship of our students.

Supervisor responsibilities:

  • Placement Proposal Form: Provide the placement details taking into consideration of the student’s goals and career aspirations. 
  • Regular Supervision: Provide a minimum of one hour of individual formal supervision for every five days that our student works. 
  • Timesheet: Sign off on the student’s work at the end of their placement. This can be done virtually or electronically.
  • Mid Placement Review: Offer formative and developmental feedback to our student on what is working well, and areas for focus in the second half of the placement.
  • Supervisor Report: Reflect on the student’s strengths and contributions, as well as identifying areas for future development. We suggest delivering both mid and end of placement feedback in real time, so the student can understand and ask any relevant questions.

HSH303 – Health Practicum

Help & Support

UnitCoursesHours and durationTimeframeMode
Psychology at Work (Internship)Psychological Science140 hours over a block of 3 weeks full time or on agreed days/times across up to 10 weeksMarch -June
July - October
Online, in person or blended

Work/projects typically completed by students on placement:

  • Conducting a literature review, collating, and analysing relevant data
  • Researching and preparing documentation for a funding submission
  • Evaluating and reporting on the efficacy of a program
  • Assisting with the delivery of direct service programs to individuals and groups in the community
  • Assisting with the planning, implementation and evaluation of a specific event, program, or intervention
  • Conducting a needs assessment, involving key members of the community and stakeholders
  • Developing a new printed or web-based resource to market the organisation’s services
  • Designing and implementing a social media campaign, including writing blogs and posts
  • Designing and implementing a survey, focus group or data collection with a particular population/target group.
  • Assisting with recruitment and selection processes, and supporting staff training delivery.

Supervisor eligibility:

We ask that Placement Supervisors have a minimum of two years’ experience in the organisation or role associated with the placement, so that they can provides students with appropriate guidance and feedback. However, they don’t have to be registered psychologists. However, we understand that individual circumstances may vary, and we encourage potential supervisors who may not meet this specific requirement to engage in discussions with our Health WIL Team. We believe in flexibility and are open to considering alternative qualifications or experiences that could contribute to the enriching mentorship of our students.

Supervisor responsibilities:

  • Placement Proposal Form: Provide the placement details taking into consideration of the student’s goals and career aspirations. 
  • Regular Supervision: Provide a minimum of one hour of individual formal supervision for every five days that our student works. 
  • Log Book: Sign off on the student’s work at the end of each working day. This can be done virtually or electronically.
  • Mid Placement Review Report: Offer formative and developmental feedback to our student on what is working well, and areas for focus in the second half of the placement.
  • Placement Feedback Report: Reflect on the student’s strengths and contributions, as well as identifying areas for future development. We suggest delivering both mid and end of placement feedback in real time, so the student can understand and ask any relevant questions.
  • Supervisor-Rated Competency Assessment: At the beginning of the placement, the student is required to complete a Competency Self-Assessment. They may choose to share these results with you to support a conversation about their strengths and areas for development. At the end of their placement, they will retake the Competency Self-Assessment, and you will also be requested to complete a Supervisor-Rated Competency Assessment. This process is designed to help students better understand the key competencies assessed within this unit, and to reflect on their development towards becoming work-ready through their placement relevant to the psychology degree.

HPS328 – Psychology At Work (Internship)

Help & Support

Postgraduate
UnitCoursesHours and durationTimeframeMode
Postgraduate Health PracticumPublic Health
Disability and Inclusion
Health Promotion
Health Economics
Human Nutrition
Health Management
120 hours over a block of 3 weeks full time or on agreed days/times across up to 10 weeksJuly - October November - FebruaryOnline, in person or blended

Work/projects typically completed by students on placement:

  • Conducting a literature review, collating, and analysing relevant data
  • Researching and preparing documentation for a funding submission
  • Evaluating and reporting on the efficacy of a program
  • Assisting with the delivery of direct service programs to individuals and groups in the community
  • Assisting with the planning, implementation and evaluation of a specific event, program, or intervention
  • Conducting a needs assessment, involving key members of the community and stakeholders
  • Developing a new printed or web-based resource to market the organisation’s services
  • Designing and implementing a social media campaign, including writing blogs and posts
  • Designing and implementing a survey, focus group or data collection with a particular population/target group.

Requirements for supervisors:

We highly recommend that placement supervisors possess a minimum of approximately 3 years of experience in their fields. This ensures that they bring a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to guide and mentor our students effectively. However, we understand that individual circumstances may vary, and we encourage potential supervisors who may not meet this specific requirement to engage in discussions with our Health WIL Team. We believe in flexibility and are open to considering alternative qualifications or experiences that could contribute to the enriching mentorship of our students.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

  • Placement Proposal Form: Provide the placement details taking into consideration of the student’s goals and career aspirations.
  • Regular Supervision: Provide a minimum of one hour of individual formal supervision for every five days that our student works. 
  • Timesheet: Sign off on the student’s work at the end of their placement. This can be done virtually or electronically.
  • Mid Placement Review: Offer formative and developmental feedback to our student on what is working well, and areas for focus in the second half of the placement.
  • Supervisor Report: Reflect on the student’s strengths and contributions, as well as identifying areas for future development. We suggest delivering both mid and end of placement feedback in real time, so the student can understand and ask any relevant questions.

HSH755 – Postgraduate Health Practicum

Help & Support