Do you have a passion for social justice, human rights, making a difference?
The current political context presents challenges for social workers but our professionally accredited program is designed to assist students to become critically reflective agents of change in the struggle for a more democratic, equitable and sustainable world. Social work at USC has a critical analysis of social inequalities in ethnicity, social class, gender, sexuality, age, and other forms of social division.
- 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.
The current political context presents challenges for social workers but our professionally accredited program is designed to assist students to become critically reflective agents of change in the struggle for a more democratic, equitable and sustainable world. Social work at USC has a critical analysis of social inequalities in ethnicity, social class, gender, sexuality, age, and other forms of social division.
The program equips students with innovative knowledge and skills to undertake social action, counselling, community development, policy analysis and development, advocacy and research to work with people individually and collectively for change. Students complete two field education placements (1000 hours in total), enabling integration of classroom learning with practical workplace experience in a huge range of fields including: health and mental health, child protection, disability, sexual assault, working with young people, refugees and Indigenous communities. Employment opportunities are extremely diverse both locally and internationally.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete two field education placements in third and fourth year at approved agencies. A Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) is required.
Career opportunities
Many community-based and Government roles including: health, mental health, disability, schools, policy development, Centrelink and child protection.
Membership
Australian Association of Social Workers.
Accreditation
This program is accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Program structure
Introductory courses (5)
COR109 Research Dissertation B
PSY100 Communication and Thought
SCS110 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS130 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS172 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
Advanced courses (16)
SCS225 Social Work and Human Services Practice
SCS230 Social Research
SCS235 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS251 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS266 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People
SCS277 Critical Practice with Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis
SCS278 Working With Families
SCS285 Ethics and Professional Practice
SCS290 Health, Society and Culture
SWK301 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SWK302 Social Work Field Education 1
SWK303 Community Development and Social Action
SWK401 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice
SWK402 Critical Social Policy Analysis
SWK404 Organisational Contexts for Social Work Practice
SWK407 Social Work Field Education 2
Elective courses (5)
Select 5 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Recommended electives include:
ENP236 Critical Social Work Practice
SCS201 Regions, Change and Sustainability
SCS210 International Community Development and Global Justice
SCS211 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCS216 Green Justice: Environment and Social Issues
SCS286 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies
SCS295 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
Total units: 384
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- 21 required courses and 5 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 (100 coded) courses, including the core course.
- 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 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.