Program summary

Program title: Bachelor of Human Services
Award abbreviation: BHumServ
QTAC code: 011121
OP/Rank for 2010 entry: OP-17 / Rank-66
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Recommended prior study: English
Fee type 2010: Commonwealth supported places, visiting non-award domestic places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 288
USC program code: AR372
CRICOS code: 057534K. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.

Highlights

• Potential entry point for work in child protection
• Opportunities for two field education placements in human services agencies
• Accredited with the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers

As a human services professional you work with people who require assistance and support with everyday living, and help them to make changes to enhance their lives.

This program equips you to work with individuals, groups, families and communities in a range of roles in community welfare. The program includes studies in human services practices within a social justice framework. You complete specialist studies in child protective practices and may undertake a major in counselling. The program includes two professional placements and meets the requirements of the Queensland Department of Child Safety as being suitable preparation for child protection employment.

Post-admission requirements

You are required to complete two field education placements at approved agencies. A Suitability Card is required, refer to Requirements for field education.

Career opportunities

Casework with families, individuals and groups, aged services, child protection, correctional services, disability services, juvenile justice, youth work.

Professional recognition

Graduates may become members of the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers.

Program structure

Core courses

Select 2 courses from:
COR109 Research Paradigms and Methods of Enquiry
COR110 Communication and Thought
COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship

Introductory courses

5 required courses:
PSY100 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
SCS110 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS130 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS172 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS180 Social Work and Human Services Practice

Advanced courses

10 required courses:
ENP236 Counselling for the Human Services Professional
SCS201 Rural and Regional Sustainability
SCS235 International Community Development and Global Justice
SCS273 Social Justice, Welfare and the State(24 units)
SCS274 Human Services Placement 1(24 units)
SCS276 Human Services Placement 2
SCS277 Group Work
SCS278 Working With Families
SWK302 Ethics and Professional Practice
SWK303 Community Development and Social Action

Elective courses

2 required courses from:
INT140 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice
SCS210 An Introduction to Australian Politics: The Makings of a Republic?
SCS225 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCS230 Social Research
SCS285 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS286 Health, Society and Culture
SCS290 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
SCS295 Understanding Cultural Diversity

Plus select 3 courses from any faculty (Arts and Social Sciences, Business or Faculty of Science, Health and Education).

Course substitution: the GO (Global Opportunities) Program

As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider.

Program requirements and notes

1. SCS273 Gender and Culture and SCS274 Human Services Placement 1 are 24 unit courses equivalent to two standard 12 unit courses.
2. No courses may be counted towards more than one major or minor.
3. Electives may be used to complete an additional major or minor to supplement the required major.
4. An introductory level course has a number less than 200 in its course code. An advanced level course has a number greater than 200 and less than 400 in its course code.
5. Refer to policies, rules, plans and procedures.
6. Refer to explanation of terms.
7. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
8. Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
9. Refer to the recommended enrolment patterns. For previous recommended enrolment patterns refer to the relevant archived Student Handbook.
10. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests, and examinations.

Requirements for field education

In order to complete this program, you need to successfully complete field education (ie SCS273 Human Services Placement 2 and SCS274 Human Services Placement 1 which is required to obtain a Blue Card (issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian).

Your enrolment in field education will be conditional upon the following:

• the 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 you become ineligible for a Blue Card, at any time between the date of first enrolment and the date of completion of the program, you 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. You may be required to undertake these placements away from the campus at your own expense.

Enquiries

How to apply

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

Program Leader
Dr Jan Foster
Tel: +61 7 5459 4661
Email: jfoster@usc.edu.au

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