Students develop the knowledge and skills to work with individuals, groups, families and communities in a range of roles in community welfare.
Studies focus on human services practices within a social justice framework. Students complete specialist studies in child protective practices. The program includes two professional placements and meets the requirements of the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety Services as being suitable preparation for child protection employment.
- 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.
Studies focus on human services practices within a social justice framework. Students complete specialist studies in child protective practices. The program includes two professional placements and meets the requirements of the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety Services as being suitable preparation for child protection employment.
Post-admission requirements
Students are required to complete two field education placements at approved agencies. A Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) and criminal history check is required — refer to Requirements for field education.
Career opportunities
Casework, group work and community development, across fields: families, ageing, youth, disability, child protection, youth justice and corrections.
Membership
Australian Community Workers Association.
Program structure
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 6 required introductory level (100 coded) courses.
- Complete 10 required advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
- Complete 6 elective courses, 2 must be advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
- Successfully complete 2 field education placements (SCS273 Researching Education and SCS274 Leadership for Learning Communities).
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with your Faculty.
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).
- SCS273 and SCS274 are 24 unit courses equivalent to two standard 12 unit 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.
Introductory courses (6)
COR109 Leading and Managing Organisations
COU180 Geographic Information Science and Technology
PSY100 Earth Observation: Remote Sensing and Surveying
SCS110 Applied Geospatial Analysis
SCS130 Mapping with Drones
SCS172 Human Services Placement 1
Advanced courses (10)
COU276 Human Services Placement 2
ENP236 Communication and Thought
SCS201 Counselling for the Human Services Professional
SCS235 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS273 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change(24 units)
SCS274 Introduction to Indigenous Australia(24 units)
SCS277 Social Work and Human Services Practice
SCS278 Group Processes and Practice
SWK302 Regions, Change and Sustainability
SWK303 International Community Development and Global Justice
Elective courses (6)
Select 2 required elective courses from:
INT140 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS210 Human Services Placement 1
SCS225 Human Services Placement 2
SCS230 Working With Families
SCS285 Ethics and Professional Practice
SCS286 Community Development and Social Action
SCS290 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice
SCS295 An Introduction to Australian Politics: The Makings of a Republic?
PLUS select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288