• Program summary
Program overview 
Career opportunities 
• Special features
Advanced standing, recognition of prior learning, credit and articulation 
Program structure
Program requirements and notes
Enquiries
Recommended enrolment patterns

Program

QTAC code: 011151
OP/Rank for 2008 entry: OP-16 / Rank-66
Award abbreviation: BSocWk
Degree type: undergraduate
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Fee type: Commonwealth supported places, domestic fee-paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 384
Recommended prior study: English
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
CRICOS code: 062654D

New students: selecting courses for 2008

Program overview

The Bachelor of Social Work program offers an innovative preparation for the practice knowledge, values and skills required for the social work profession.

Social workers assist individuals, families and communities to manage complex and diverse challenges in relation to personal issues, relationship concerns, economic disadvantage, and a wide range of problems faced in our society. The program prepares professionals to address the barriers, inequities and injustices that exist in society. This involves active involvement in situations of personal distress and crisis, and involvement in advocacy, counselling, research, policy development and analysis, management and consultancy.

You will prepare for practice through the ethical framework of the social work profession, and gain professional development in child protection, Indigenous studies, mental health and culturally diverse communities.

A core component of the Social Work program is Field Education, which provides you with opportunities to integrate classroom learning with practical experience in social work organisations. While on placement you will further develop your social work skills, linking your knowledge—knowing the ‘what’ of social work—with the value base of the profession and the tools for practice—knowing ‘how’ to practice as a social worker.

The program is accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers, of which students and graduates are entitled to apply for membership.

Career opportunities

Social workers may choose employment in a number of settings including:

• Centrelink
• child protection agencies
• defence forces
• hospitals
• Indigenous health and welfare services
• local councils
• multicultural agencies
• neighbourhood centres
• private practice
• refugee support services
• rehabilitation services
• women’s organisations

Special features

• accreditation with the Australian Association of Social Workers
• extensive field education and experience
• teaching staff include practising social workers

Program structure

Core courses

2 required courses:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship

Introductory courses

6 required courses:
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
SCS100 Introduction to the Social Sciences: Knowledge, Power and Society
SCS110 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Social Change
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS172 Social Work and Human Services Practice

Advanced courses

Field education

SWK301 Social Work Field Education 1 (48 units)
SWK404 Social Work Field Education 2 (48 units) *

Program requirement and notes

1. Refer to the Academic Rules.
2. Refer to explanation of terms.
3. Refer to the recommended enrolment patterns.
4. International students need to refer to the English language requirements.
5. Only a full-time study option is available to international students.

Requirements for field education

In order to complete this program, students need to successfully complete field education (ie SWK301 Social Work Field Education 1 and SWK404 Social Work Field Education 2) for which they are required to obtain a Blue Card (issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian).

A student’s enrolment in field education will be conditional upon the following: 

• the student’s eligibility for a Blue Card at the time of the first enrolment in the program
• maintenance of that eligibility throughout the entire of the program
• acquisition of a Blue Card prior to commencement of field education.

In the event that a student becomes ineligible for a Blue Card, at any time between the date of first enrolment and the date of completion of the program, the student will not be able to complete the degree.

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.

Field education includes professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake these placements away from the campus at their own expense.

Enquiries

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259

* Subject to final approval

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