Give others the tools to create positive change in their lives.
This program is designed to prepare you for work in social justice and community welfare. You are exposed to the theory and values base of human services practice, and develop practical skills. Gain an understanding of the nature of contemporary society, individual, family and community behaviour.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie. Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs.
- * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie. Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs.
This program is designed to prepare you for work in social justice and community welfare. You are exposed to the theory and values base of human services practice, and develop practical skills. Gain an understanding of the nature of contemporary society, individual, family and community behaviour.
Use your electives to focus your studies in a specialist area. Our program offers two separate work placements in human services agencies, a total of 450 hours (combined). These placements are designed to meet the requirements of the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety Services.
At the end of your degree, choose from careers in community agencies, government organisations and the private sector and apply for membership with the Australian Community Workers Association.
Post-admission requirements
Students are required to complete two field education placements at approved agencies. A Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) and criminal history check is required — refer to Requirements for field education.
Career opportunities
Casework, group work and community development, across fields: families, ageing, youth, disability, child protection, youth justice and corrections.
Membership
Australian Community Workers Association.
Program structure
Introductory courses (6)
COR109 Communication and Thought
COU180 Introductory Counselling Skills and Theory
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS110 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS172 Social Work and Human Services Practice
Advanced courses (10)
COU276 Group Processes and Practice
ENP236 Regions, Change and Sustainability
SCS201 International Community Development and Global Justice
SCS235 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS273 Human Services Placement 1(24 units)
SCS274 Human Services Placement 2(24 units)
SCS277 Working With Families
SCS278 Ethics and Professional Practice
SWK302 Community Development and Social Action
SWK303 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice
Elective courses (6)
Select 2 required elective courses from:
INT140 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
SCS210 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCS225 Social Research
SCS230 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS285 Health, Society and Culture
SCS286 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
SCS290 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SCS295 Gender and Culture
PLUS select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Students can choose to use these electives towards a minor in one of the following areas:
- Australian Studies
- Comparative Studies
- Development Studies
- Geography
- Indigenous Studies
- Politics and International Relations
- Public Policy
- Sociology
- Sustainability
Total units: 288
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 6 required introductory level (100 coded) courses.
- Complete 10 required advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
- Complete 6 elective courses, 2 must be advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
- Successfully complete 2 field education placements (SCS273 Human Services Placement 1 and SCS274 Human Services Placement 2).
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with your Faculty.
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).
- SCS273 and SCS274 are 24 unit courses equivalent to two standard 12 unit 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 Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Faculty 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.