Diploma of Liberal Arts: Foundations of Wisdom

The Diploma of Liberal Arts: Foundations of Wisdom is a one-year course at Christian Heritage College that sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is a broad introduction to the liberal arts, with a strong psychology component, and it is often used as a pathway into a bachelor degree. You will take units of study in areas such as psychology, philosophy, history, literature and theology, and you will learn how to read carefully, write clearly and think through arguments. Assessment is usually by essays, exams and tutorial participation rather than by a single final test.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each with a set credit point value. At Christian Heritage College the academic year is typically split into two semesters, and you will enrol in a set number of units each semester. The diploma is one year full time, but you can often spread it over two years part time. There is no compulsory honours year or research thesis at this level. Some diplomas include a capstone unit that pulls together the skills you have built, and some include a work-integrated learning or service-learning placement. Where a placement is part of the course, it is arranged by the college and usually takes place in a school, church, community organisation or welfare agency. You should check the official course page for the exact units and any placement requirements.

What you will study

The psychology units introduce you to human development, learning, memory, personality and mental health, and to the research methods used in the behavioural sciences. You will learn how to find and evaluate sources, how to write a literature review, and how to present an argument. The liberal arts units give you the historical and philosophical background that sits behind modern psychology, so you graduate with a wider frame of reference than a purely technical course would give you. Class sizes are small, and tutors expect you to speak up in tutorials. The college is a Christian institution, and some units are taught from a Christian perspective.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a supported start to university study, mature-age students returning to study, and people who want to test their interest in psychology before committing to a three-year bachelor degree. It also suits students who want to build their academic writing and research skills before moving into a bachelor programme. If you complete the diploma, you may be able to apply for credit towards a related bachelor degree at Christian Heritage College or another Australian institution. Credit is assessed unit by unit, and you should confirm the details with the receiving institution. International students should check the English requirement for their specific course, and note that the Student visa has its own English threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs. While studying, international students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight, and graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 092840J, and you should confirm fees, intake dates and English requirements on the official page before you apply.

• Support worker in community services, disability services, aged care or youth work
• Teacher aide or education support officer in primary and secondary schools
• Administration officer in health, education, government or not-for-profit organisations
• Case worker or intake officer in welfare and family services
• Church or ministry worker in pastoral care, youth ministry or community outreach
• Research assistant in social research, market research or university research centres
• Pathway to further study, graduates often continue into a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Psychology or Bachelor of Social Work

These roles are found across Australia in schools, hospitals, community health centres, government departments, churches and non-government organisations. Some roles, such as psychologist or social worker, require further university study and registration with the relevant Australian professional body.