Program summary
Program title: Bachelor of Social Work
Award abbreviation: BSocWk
QTAC code: 011151
OP/Rank for 2010 entry: OP-16 / Rank-68
Duration: 4 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: 384
USC program code: AR362
CRICOS code: 062654D. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Highlights
- Teaching staff include practising social workers
- Opportunities for extensive field education and experience
- Accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers
Social workers are committed to enhancing quality of life, developing the full potential of each individual, group and community in society, and pursuing social justice.
In this program you prepare for social work practice and learn to address the barriers, inequities and injustices that exist in society. It requires active involvement in situations of personal distress and crisis, and involvement in advocacy, counselling, research, policy development, analysis, management, and consultancy. Professional development covers child protection, Indigenous studies, mental health, and culturally diverse communities. Field education allows you to integrate classroom learning with practical experience, to develop social work skills and link knowledge with tools for practice.
Post-admission requirements
You are required to complete two field education placements in third and fourth year at approved agencies. A Suitability Card is required, refer to Requirements for field education.
Career opportunities
Child protection, rehabilitation services, multicultural agencies, Indigenous welfare, refugee support services, women’s organisations, youth work, housing.
Professional recognition
Graduates may become members of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Program structure
Core courses
2 required courses:
COR109 Global Business Management
COR110 Communication and Thought
Introductory courses
5 required courses:
PSY100 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS110 Introduction to Psychology B
SCS130 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS172 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
Advanced courses
15 required courses:
SCS210 Social Work and Human Services Practice
SCS225 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCS230 Social Research
SCS235 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS276 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS277 Group Work
SCS278 Working With Families
SCS285 Ethics and Professional Practice
SCS290 Health, Society and Culture
SWK210 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SWK302 Preparation for Social Work Practice
SWK303 Community Development and Social Action
SWK401 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice
SWK402 Critical Social Policy Analysis
SWK403 Organisational Contexts for Social Work Practice
Field education
SWK301 Developing your Social Work Practice Framework(48 units)
SWK404 Social Work Field Education 1(48 units)
Electives
Select 1 elective course from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Program requirement and notes
- Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
- Refer to explanation of terms.
- Refer to the recommended enrolment patterns. For previous recommended enrolment patterns refer to the relevant archived Student Handbook.
- International students need to refer to the English language requirements.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- 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
To complete this program you must successfully complete field education (ie SWK301 Social Work Field Education 2 and SWK404 Social Work Field Education 1) for which you are 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:
- your 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. Students may be required to undertake these placements away from the campus at their 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