Certificate

Graduate Certificate in Design for Health and Wellbeing

Course overview

  • 1 year part time
  • Mixed Attendance Mode (Parkville)
  • Available to domestic and international students
  • Summer Intake - January, Mid Year Intake - July, and Spring Intake - October

Overview

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 Graduate Certificate in Design for Health and Wellbeing is a rich and multidisciplinary overview 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 principles 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 knowledge and creative practices, you will gain a sound understanding of key concepts and practical skills to consider the physical, psychological, social and ecological dimensions of the built environment. This unique skillset will enable you to make a positive impact immediately.

Delivered fully online, with the option of face-to-face delivery for certain elective subjects, this is a short yet rich program providing the flexibility to study around other commitments.

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.