The Aboriginal Studies program is centred on the history and contemporary experience of the Indigenous peoples of Australia. Topics cover the areas of history, religion, spiritualities and culture, economy, politics, law, land, learning, teaching and education, languages, literature, arts, women's issues and the issues surrounding the principles and practice of reconciliation. Students are offered national, state and regional perspectives on issues and are immersed in the units from the point of view of Indigenous Australians. Students completing their studies in Broome are offered the unique opportunity to be part of the everyday life of Aboriginal people as well as being provided with the possibility of participating in the activities of Aboriginal and Kimberley organisations.

Focus
In relation to Indigenous issues, the Broome Campus and its programs are deliberately distinctive.The University's Core Curriculum has been specially developed for the Broome Campus. The School of Arts & Sciences teaches “Aboriginal People” and the School of Theology & Philosophy teaches the unit “Spirituality and the Challenges of Reconciliation” as Core Curriculum units for all Broome Campus-based students. The School of Arts & Sciences is responsible for the delivery of Aboriginal Studies units to students enrolled in the Schools of Nursing, Education and Arts & Sciences.

Units in Communication, Literacy and Developmental Psychology are also delivered by Arts & Sciences.

Service
Students studying Aboriginal Studies units are taught by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal academics with the qualifications, expertise and experience to deliver the units. Lecturers teaching Communications, Literacy and Developmental Psychology are both qualified and experienced in their fields. On Campus class sizes are generally small, allowing for greater teaching and learning opportunities which are delivered in a supportive atmosphere. External students studying in Arts & Sciences are provided with unit outlines , online lecture notes and contact with lecturers on a regular basis.

The Certificate and Diploma in Aboriginal Studies are offered on the Broome Campus and are designed to provide an introduction to traditional and contemporary Aboriginal concerns. The courses develop in students a solid and wide knowledge of Aboriginal topics and provide opportunities to develop skills and experience in their area of interest under the supervision of Aboriginal people. Throughout the courses, students are encouraged to be consistent in their interest in Aboriginal Studies by becoming involved in Aboriginal organisations, attending Aboriginal cultural events, supporting Aboriginal enterprises and developing a growing in awareness of the contemporary struggles of the Indigenous peoples of Australia.

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This degree is offered only through Notre Dame's Broome Campus and has a particular emphasis on Aboriginal Studies and complementary disciplines in keeping with its special focus as a Campus of Reconciliation. The Bachelor of Arts (Major in Aboriginal Studies) offers opportunities to select from a number of Aboriginal Studies units which examine both the history of Indigenous peoples and their place in modern Australia. The elective units allow students to focus on disciplines of particular interest, which relate to the major focus. A degree in Arts (Aboriginal Studies) provides an excellent general preparation for career openings in many areas of employment in modern Australia, whether the degree is undertaken on its own or followed by a degree in a more specialised area.

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The Graduate Certificate course in Aboriginal Studies is designed to provide a comprehensive, challenging and exciting view of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal concerns. The course develops students' solid and wide knowledge of Aboriginal topics and provide opportunities to develop skills and experience.

Throughout the course students are encouraged to be consistent in their interest in Aboriginal Studies by becoming involved in Aboriginal organisations, attending Aboriginal cultural events, supporting Aboriginal enterprises and developing a growing in awareness of the contemporary struggles of the Indigenous peoples of Australia.

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The Tertiary Enabling Program is an alternative entry pathway to undergraduate studies at the Notre Dame Broome Campus. On the Broome Campus all eligible students will be offered Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) in the Tertiary Enabling Program – these students will have no tuition fees for the duration of the course. Completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program provides an opportunity to study for a degree.

By successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, students will have an opportunity to apply for entry to undergraduate studies at the following two Schools available on the Broome Campus, School of Nursing and School of Education.

Students who wish to continue studies at our Fremantle Campus have the opportunity to apply for entry to the School of Health, School of Education, School of Business, School of Arts & Sciences, and School of Philosophy & Theology (Courses may be excluded at the University's discretion).

The program is available to students who:
• Did not receive a TER score that meets standard University entrance requirement, or
• Completed Year 12 but did not undertake TEE, or
• Did not complete enough TEE subjects at high school, or
• Did not finish secondary school and will be 20 years of age or over in their year of admission, or
• Are seeking to pursue a different career or just broaden their horizons.

The Tertiary Enabling Program gives students a taste of academic life in a comfortable and rewarding environment where they can learn new skills and experiment with academic study in order to prepare for tertiary study.

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