Give others the tools to create positive change in their lives.
The human services include a range of professions dedicated to helping others live meaningful lives. This degree gives you a broad overview of many different areas of human services, and builds your knowledge and capacity for a variety of roles in community welfare and social justice. Importantly, this degree also gives you a strong grounding in the principles of social equity and anti-oppressive practice, which are foundational to the field.
- 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.
- ^^First- and second-year courses available at USC Moreton Bay from Semester 1, 2021.
- ^^First- and second-year courses available at USC Moreton Bay from Semester 1, 2021.
The human services include a range of professions dedicated to helping others live meaningful lives. This degree gives you a broad overview of many different areas of human services, and builds your knowledge and capacity for a variety of roles in community welfare and social justice. Importantly, this degree also gives you a strong grounding in the principles of social equity and anti-oppressive practice, which are foundational to the field.
In this degree you will:
- Gain exposure to the theory and values base of human services practice and develop practical skills to ensure your success.
- extend your understanding of the nature of contemporary society, and individual, family and community behaviour
- Learn to critically analyse social problems, and learn about social welfare arrangements in Australia
- Choose electives to build your knowledge and skills in your desired area of work or practice
- Complete two separate field education placements in human services agencies, providing a total of 500 hours' placement experience.
Post-admission requirements
Students are required to complete two field education placements at approved agencies. A Blue Card (CCYPCG) and criminal history check is required – refer to Requirements for field education.
Career opportunities
Human services graduates find careers in community agencies, government organisations and the private sector, including as a child safety officer, case manager, disability services worker, youth worker, families support worker, community development worker, community corrections officer.
Membership
This program is accredited with the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). Students and graduates are entitled to apply for ACWA membership.
Program structure
Introductory courses (7) 84 units
COU176 Hydrology and Geomorphology
COU180 Coastal Geomorphology
SCS101 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
SCS110 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
SCS130 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
SWK100 Special Field Studies Topic
SWK172 Special Research Project
Developing and Graduate courses (12) 168 units
SCS235 Workplace Learning I
SWK200 Global Environmental Politics
SWK201 Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation(24 units)
SWK202 Explorations in Environmental History
SWK251 Globalisation, Development and Indigenous Peoples
SWK277 Group Processes and Practice
SWK278 Introductory Counselling Skills
SWK286 Foundations of Human Behaviour
SWK302 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
SWK305 Introduction to Indigenous Australia(24 units)
SWK306 Introduction to Social Work Practice Theories
SWK407 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services
Elective courses (3) 36 units
Select 3 elective courses (36 units) from the undergraduate elective course options.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Gympie) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Gympie) Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Fraser Coast) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Fraser Coast) Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Moreton Bay) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Moreton Bay) Semester 2 commencement (July)
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses
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
- 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.