Medicine, Health and Human Sciences

PACE units in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences

The FMHHS offers PACE units and placements across a variety of disciplines. These include psychology, health, inclusive communication, linguistics, cognitive science, and clinical sciences.

PACE and my degree program

All degrees now require a specific PACE unit. Check your program in the Course Handbook to see which PACE unit you must do.

We offer a range of PACE units, including the following:

HLTH3050 Health Placement

70-hour placement

In this unit, you may develop a project management plan to address an issue in consultation with the host organisation. Example activities may include:

• designing research on burns treatment and rehabilitation services for Indigenous children
• designing a work health and safety learning module for tertiary students
• arranging and analysing data from community engagement with the health department.

Check the HLTH3050 unit summary [PDF 4.6MB] or the HLTH3050 course handbook for more information.

LING3388 Accessible and Inclusive Communication

50-hour placement

In this unit, you complete a professional work placement within a variety of professional settings. Example activities may include:

• supporting deaf and blind children in classroom activities
• analysing the potential relationship between infant vocal production assessment and subsequent verbal proficiency /challenges
• assisting audiology research with adults using cochlear implants.

Check the LING3388 course handbook for more information.

PSYU3399 Psychological Science: Putting Theory into Practice

32-hour placement

In this psychology capstone unit, you learn to apply your psychology skills in real-world situations. Example activities may include:

• mentoring primary and high school children who are disengaged and at risk
• researching homeless populations in NSW
• participating in and observing day-to-day activities for psychologists in private practice, working in hospitals or community centres
• participating in and observing classes run for children with emotional and behavioural disorders.

Check the PSYU3399 unit summary [PDF 2.7MB] or the PSYU3399 course handbook for more information.

COGS3999 Cognitive Science in the Real World

32-hour placement

In this unit, you learn to apply your skills from cognitive science in real-world situations. Example activities may include:

• conducting experimental investigations with researchers
• conducting a systematic review of best practices for reading interventions
• receiving training in applied behaviour approaches as therapy for autism
• conducting interviews and qualitative analysis to report on extreme human experiences (such as elite athletes).

Check the COGS3999 unit summary [PDF 3.7MB] or the COGS3999 course handbook for more information.

MEDI3401 Professional Learning in the Clinical Sciences:

70-hour placement

In this unit, you complete a professional work placement within a variety of clinical and professional settings. Example activities may include:

• completing a literature and policy review
• observing and participating in a laboratory experiment
• observing and assisting in a highly dynamic and fast-paced clinical environment
• clinical trial internship

Check the MEDI3401 course handbook for more information.

Choose your own PACE experience

Employability Connect

Visit Employability Connect to view introductory information and essential resources to help you prepare for and maximise your PACE experience.

Find your own placement

Finding your own placement gives you a unique opportunity to gain experience in an area or with an organisation you are interested in. You may have a contact—such as a family member or friend—who can help you to arrange a placement. If you are already volunteering with a suitable organisation, you may also consider nominating this organisation for your placement.

Find your PACE activity for more information or contact the PACE team.

Apply for special opportunities

Some organisations require an application process and even an interview. These placements are advertised and filled by a competitive selection process. Keep an eye out for these opportunities as they become available.

Review the placements organised by the University

The PACE team organises placements with a range of host organisations. Placements are available in areas such as public health, speech, psychology, community work, welfare and human movement.

These placements are advertised to students enrolled in specific PACE units in our online portal, iParticipate. You can review the placements available at the start of the session and then select your top 5 or 10 preferences (depending on the unit). You will be automatically allocated to a placement based on your preference.

Start your placement early

Some placements commence before the start of the session and/or require more than the minimum number of hours. A competitive selection process might also be requested by the host organisation. These placements will be advertised as they become available.

PACE stories

“It was great to be able to network with professionals in the industry I am interested in making a career of, and I’m currently considering a variety of further study options related to the work I completed on my placement. After I finished the project, I was asked to complete online training so that I could then be employed by the organisation as a therapist, and started working for the organisation at the conclusion of the placement, which was an incredible opportunity.”

Madelyn Hawken – Health student (Aspire Early Intervention)

“I never considered social welfare as a possible career avenue. It’s now opened up my eyes not only to where I can take my psychology degree in social welfare terms, but it's really opened up some career opportunities."

Joelle Fa – Psychology student (Wesley Mission)

“As an undergraduate, sometimes you don't realise what your opportunities are. PACE was just eye-opening—it revealed a whole new career pathway for me as a researcher. I don't know what I'd be doing without it."

Chi Yhun Lo – Speech & Hearing student (National Acoustics Laboratory)