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

Accessibility links

Non-production environment - edittest.usc.edu.au
This page was archived on 16 July 2013 and is no longer updated.

Bachelor of Social Work

Promote social justice and human rights, and become an agent of change.

Courses include a critical reflection, psychology, sociology, social research, trauma, bereavement and crisis counselling, ethics and working with families. Professional development covers child protection, Indigenous studies, mental health and culturally diverse communities, with a focus throughout on developing a critical practice framework. Field education integrates classroom learning with workplace experience to develop practical social work skills and strategies for social change.

CRICOS code
062654D
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
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.
Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 011151
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 17 Rank - 64
UniSC program code
AR362
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Duration
4 years full time or equivalent part time
Recommended prior study
English
Fee type 2013
  • Commonwealth supported places
  • Fee paying places
  • International fee-paying places
Total units
384

Courses include a critical reflection, psychology, sociology, social research, trauma, bereavement and crisis counselling, ethics and working with families. Professional development covers child protection, Indigenous studies, mental health and culturally diverse communities, with a focus throughout on developing a critical practice framework. Field education integrates classroom learning with workplace experience to develop practical social work skills and strategies for social change.

Post-admission requirements

Students must complete two field education placements in third and fourth year at approved agencies. A Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) is required.

Career opportunities

Mental health, disability, policy development, child protection, community development, advocacy, Indigenous and multicultural agencies, women’s organisations, youth work, counselling.

MembershipAASW Accredited

Australian Association of Social Workers.

Accreditation

This program is provisionally accredited with the Australian Association of Social workers.

Program structure

Program structure

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Complete 2 core courses, 20 required courses and 4 electives.
  • Successfully complete 2 field education placements (SWK301 Social Work Field Education 1 and SWK404 Social Work Field Education 2).
  • Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses including core courses.
  • Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.

In order to commence field education placement you must:

  • Hold a valid Suitability Card (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).
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
  • As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
  • When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Core courses

1 required course: 

COR109 Epidemiology and Biostatistics

PLUS select 1 core course from:

COR110 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
COR111 Genetics

Introductory courses

4 required courses:

PSY100 Analytical Sciences
SCS110
SCS130 Functional Anatomy
SCS172 Biomechanics I

Advanced courses

16 required courses:

SCS225 Exercise Physiology I
SCS230 Introduction to Sports Medicine
SCS235 Sport and Exercise Psychology
SCS251 Motor Control and Learning
SCS266 Exercise in Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Health
SCS276 Exercise in Musculoskeletal Health
SCS277
SCS278 Performance Enhancement
SCS285 Biomechanics II
SCS290 Exercise Physiology II
SWK301 Physical Education Studies A
SWK302 Physical Education Studies B
SWK401 Advanced Coaching Science
SWK402 Special Research Project
SWK404 Special Research Project
SWK407 Work Place Learning I

Elective courses

Select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Those students interested in Critical studies in Indigenous and identity issues are strongly advised to take the following as electives:

SCS210 Workplace Learning I
SCS295 Work Place Learning II

Those students interested in Community Development are strongly advised to take the following as electives:

SCS211 Communication and Thought
ENP236 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
SCS201 Environment, Technology and Sustainability

Those students interested in Direct Practice are strongly advised to take the following as electives:

SWK303 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS286 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change

TOTAL UNITS 384

Back to top

Total units: 384