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

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Bachelor of Social Work

Do you have a passion for social justice, human rights, making a difference?

This degree produces graduates equipped to work with skill and passion to enhance the social wellbeing of individuals, groups and communities, both locally and globally. The social issues people experience in a dynamically changing world are often complex, and this program aims to produce graduates who can support change ethically across a diversity of needs, forms of disadvantage, and practice contexts. You'll learn through a rich combination of academic and extensive work practice knowledge and approaches. The program is underpinned by principles of human rights, social justice and integrity as the foundation for professional social work practice.

Study locations
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Moreton Bay
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
062654D
Commence
Semester 1, Semester 2
Program length (full-time)
4 years
Annual tuition fee 2021
A$25,400
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$101,600
Footnotes
  • 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.
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 011151
  • Moreton Bay 014151
  • Fraser Coast 019251
Minimum selection threshold
ATAR - 63.00 OP - - Rank - 63
UniSC program code
AR362
Commence
Semester 1, Semester 2
Duration
4 years full time or equivalent part time
Study mode
Blended Learning
Recommended prior study
English
Other requirements
Applicants from a non-English speaking background should refer to the  English language requirements for further information.
Fee type 2021
  • Commonwealth supported places
Total courses
28
Total units
384
Footnotes
  • ^First- and second-year courses available at USC Moreton Bay from Semester 1, 2021.

This degree produces graduates equipped to work with skill and passion to enhance the social wellbeing of individuals, groups and communities, both locally and globally. The social issues people experience in a dynamically changing world are often complex, and this program aims to produce graduates who can support change ethically across a diversity of needs, forms of disadvantage, and practice contexts. You'll learn through a rich combination of academic and extensive work practice knowledge and approaches. The program is underpinned by principles of human rights, social justice and integrity as the foundation for professional social work practice.

Career opportunities
  • Health
  • Mental health
  • Disability
  • Schools
  • Policy development
  • Centrelink
  • Child protection
Graduates are eligible to become members of:
  • Australian Association of Social Workers.

This program is accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Program structure

Introductory courses (7) 84 units

COU176 Globalisation, Development and Indigenous Peoples
COU180 Advanced Statistics in Psychology
SCS101 Advanced Theoretical Issues in Psychology
SCS110 Professional Practice of Psychology
SCS130 Ethical and Professional Issues In Psychology
SWK100 Research Dissertation A
SWK172 Research Dissertation B

Developing and Graduate courses (16) 240 units

SCS225 Advanced Statistics in Psychology
SCS235 Advanced Theoretical Issues in Psychology
SWK200 Professional Practice of Psychology
SWK202 Ethical and Professional Issues In Psychology
SWK251 Research Dissertation A
SWK277 Research Dissertation B
SWK278 Group Processes and Practice
SWK286 Introductory Counselling Skills
SWK300 Foundations of Human Behaviour(36 units)
SWK302 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
SWK304 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SWK306 Introduction to Social Work Practice Theories
SWK400 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services(36 units)
SWK401 Social Research
SWK407 Social Justice, Welfare and the State

PLUS select 1 course from:

COU300 Organisations: Communication Skills for Practice
CRM309 Mental Health and Wellbeing

Elective courses (5) 60 units

Select 5 elective courses (60 units) from the undergraduate elective course options.

Students are encouraged to use these electives to study courses in the following discipline areas:

Behavioural Science
Counselling Skills
Criminology and Justice
Indigenous Studies
International and Human Rights^
International Studies^
Social Theory^
Sustainability

^Not currently available at Moreton Bay campus

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 384

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
  • Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses in total

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.
  • Students commencing Semester 2, 2019 are to go to Curriculum Changes Blackboard site for recommended study sequence