Bachelor of Social Work | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Social Work

  • Teaching staff include practising social workers
  • Opportunities for extensive field education and experience
  • Accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers

Program summary

Program title: Bachelor of Social Work
Award abbreviation: BSocWk
QTAC code: 011151
OP / Rank for 2013 entry: OP-17 / Rank-64
Duration: 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English
Fee type 2013: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 384
USC program code: AR362
CRICOS code: 062654D. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.

Social workers are committed to enhancing quality of life, developing the full potential of each individual, group and community in society, and pursuing social justice.

In this program you prepare for social work practice and learn to address the barriers, inequities and injustices that exist in society. It requires active involvement in situations of personal distress and crisis, and involvement in advocacy, counselling, research, policy development, analysis, management, and consultancy. Professional development covers child protection, Indigenous studies, mental health, and culturally diverse communities. Field education allows you to integrate classroom learning with practical experience, to develop social work skills and link knowledge with tools for practice.

Post-admission requirements

You are required to complete two field education placements in third and fourth year at approved agencies. A Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) is required.

Career opportunities

Child protection, rehabilitation services, multicultural agencies, Indigenous welfare, refugee support services, women’s organisations, youth work, housing.

Professional recognition

Graduates may become members of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Accreditation

This program is provisionally accredited with the Australian Association of Social workers.

Enquiries
  • Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
  • Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business for program advice

Program Leader
Christine Morley
Tel: +61 7 5459 4723
Email: cmorley@usc.edu.au

Program structure

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Complete 2 core courses, 20 required courses and 4 electives.
  • Successfully complete 2 field education placements (SWK301 Social Work Field Education 1 and SWK404 Social Work Field Education 2).
  • Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses including core courses.
  • Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.

In order to commence field education placement you must:

  • Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card), throughout the duration of your program, which is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). You should allow 12 weeks for CCYPCG to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card will be unable to complete the field education component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements.
  • Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority).
  • Travel to attend field education placements.
  • Please note, while all endeavours will be made to place students in a given semester, this is not guaranteed and students may need to enrol at a later time should a position in an agency be unavailable in the preferred semester.
Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
  • As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
  • When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Core courses

1 required course: 
COR109
PLUS select 1 core course from:
COR110
COR111

Introductory courses

4 required courses:
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS110 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS172

Advanced courses

16 required courses:
SCS225 Social Research
SCS230 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS235 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS251
SCS266
SCS276
SCS277
SCS278
SCS285
SCS290 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SWK301
SWK302 Community Development and Social Action
SWK401 Critical Social Policy Analysis
SWK402
SWK404
SWK407 Context Responsive Social Work Practice

Elective courses

Select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Those students interested in Critical studies in Indigenous and identity issues are strongly advised to take the following as electives:
SCS210
SCS295

Those students interested in Community Development are strongly advised to take the following as electives:
SCS211
ENP236
SCS201 International Development and Global Justice

Those students interested in Direct Practice are strongly advised to take the following as electives:
SCS180
SCS265

TOTAL UNITS 384

Study Plan

The Bachelor of Social Work Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.

Core courses (2)
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
COR109 Introduction to Creative Advertising

PLUS select 1 core course from:
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
COR110 Social Media: Content Curation and Creation
COR111 Advertising Campaigns
Required introductory courses (4)
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
PSY100 Creative and Interactive Advertising
SCS110 Communication and Thought
SCS130 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
SCS172 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
Required advanced courses (16)
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
SCS225 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS230 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS235 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS251 Social Work and Human Services Practice
SCS266 Social Research
SCS276 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS277 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS278 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People
SCS285 Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis Counselling
SCS290 Group Work
SWK301 Working With Families
SWK302 Ethics and Professional Practice
SWK401 Health, Society and Culture
SWK402 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SWK404 Social Work Field Education 1
SWK407 Context Responsive Social Work Practice
  • Sunshine Coast: Semester 1, Semester 2
  • Moreton Bay: Semester 1, Semester 2
  • Online: Semester 1, Semester 2
12Pre: SWK201 or SWK301 or SWK300 and enrolled in Program AR303, AR362, AR363 or AR372
Elective courses (4)

Select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Those students interested in Critical studies in Indigenous and identity issues are strongly advised to take the following as electives:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
SCS210    
SCS295    

Those students interested in Community Development are strongly advised to take the following as electives:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
SCS211    
ENP236    
SCS201 International Development and Global Justice
  • Sunshine Coast: Semester 1
  • Moreton Bay: Semester 1
  • Online: Semester 1
12 

Those students interested in Direct Practice are strongly advised to take the following as electives:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
SCS180    
SCS265    

TOTAL UNITS 384

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