Become an agent of change.
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 or Fraser Coast.
- Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie and Fraser Coast. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs.
- ^Semester 2 commencement not available in 2019
- In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie or Fraser Coast.
- Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie and Fraser Coast. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs.
- ^Semester 2 commencement not available in 2019
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. 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) 60 units
COR109 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS101 Theories of Counselling: From Freud to Integrative Practice
SCS110 Introduction to Psychology B
SCS130 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Skills and Applications
SWK172 Introduction to Human Development
Developing and Graduate courses (16) 264 units
SCS225 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
SCS230 Strengths Based Counselling: Collaborative Approaches
SCS235 Group Processes and Practice
SCS251 Social Research
SCS290 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SWK266 Counselling Development and Supervision 1
SWK277 Counselling Placement 1
SWK278 Counselling for Crisis, Trauma and Loss
SWK285 Positive Psychology for Counselling
SWK301 Counselling Development and Supervision 2(48 units)
SWK302 Counselling Placement 2
SWK303 Developmental and Family Counselling
SWK401 Communication and Thought
SWK402 Foundations of Human Behaviour
SWK404 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change(48 units)
SWK407 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
Elective courses (5) 60 units
Select 5 elective courses (60 units) from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Recommended electives include:
COU101 Social Work and Human Services Practice
COU176 Social Research
COU180 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
CRM103 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
ENP236 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People
SCS201 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SCS210 Mental Health and Social Work
SCS216 Working With Children, Youth and Families
SCS295 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
SWK286 Health & Mental Health in Australia
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Successfully complete 2 field education placements (SWK301 Social Work Field Education 1 and SWK404 Social Work Field Education 2) in the third and fourth years of the program
In order to commence field education placement you must:
- Hold a valid 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
- For Sippy Downs students some courses in this program will be taught at the Sunshine Coast Heath Institute
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- Apply for your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)