Give others the tools to create positive change in their lives.
This program is politically progressive, grounded in critical, anti-racist and pro-feminist theoretical approaches. Using innovative teaching to build your capacity and commitment to anti-oppressive practice, you’ll be well-prepared for work in social justice and community welfare upon completion.
- 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.
- * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie. Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs.
- ** Subject to final approval of campus transfer.
- * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie. Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs.
- ** Subject to final approval of campus transfer.
This program is politically progressive, grounded in critical, anti-racist and pro-feminist theoretical approaches. Using innovative teaching to build your capacity and commitment to anti-oppressive practice, you’ll be well-prepared for work in social justice and community welfare upon completion.
Gain exposure to the theory and values base of human services practice, and develop practical skills to ensure your success. You’ll extend your understanding of the nature of contemporary society, individual, family and community behaviour; critically analyse social problems, and learn about social welfare arrangements in Australia.
Focus your studies in a specialist area through your chosen electives and be offered work integrated learning opportunities, to gain real world experience. Two separate field education placements in human services agencies are arranged for students, providing a total of 500 hours placement experience. These placements are designed to meet the requirements of the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety Services.
At the end of your degree, choose from careers in community agencies, government organisations and the private sector and apply for membership with the Australian Community Workers Association.
Post-admission requirements
Students are required to complete two field education placements at approved agencies. A Blue Card (CCYPCG) and criminal history check is required — refer to Requirements for field education.
Career opportunities
Child safety officer, case manager, disability services worker, youth worker, families support worker, community development worker, community corrections officer.
Membership
This program is accredited with the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA), with which students and graduates are entitled to apply for membership.
Program structure
Introductory courses (6)
COR109 Design of Water Supply Systems
COU180 Applied Spatial Analysis and Geoprocessing
PSY100 Applied Systems Modelling
SCS110 Chemistry
SCS130 Communication and Thought
SCS172 Introductory Counselling Skills and Theory
Advanced courses (10)
COU276 Introduction to Psychology A
ENP236 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS201 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS235 Social Work and Human Services Practice
SCS273 Group Processes and Practice(24 units)
SCS274 Regions, Change and Sustainability(24 units)
SCS277 International Community Development and Global Justice
SCS278 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SWK302 Human Services Placement 1
SWK303 Human Services Placement 2
Elective courses (6)
Select 2 required elective courses from:
INT140 Working With Families
SCS210 Ethics and Professional Practice
SCS225 Community Development and Social Action
SCS230 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice
SCS285 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
SCS286 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCS290 Social Research
SCS295 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
PLUS select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Students can choose to use these electives towards a minor in one of the following areas:
- Australian Studies
- Comparative Studies
- Development Studies
- Geography
- Indigenous Studies
- Politics and International Relations
- Public Policy
- Sociology
- Sustainability
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
- (Sippy Downs) Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Study Plan - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Gympie) Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Gympie) Study Plan - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Fraser Coast) Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Fraser Coast) Study Plan - Semester 2 commencement (July)
Program requirements and notes
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 Health, Society and Culture and SCS274 Disability: Culture, Community and Change)
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course
- Register your selected major and/or minor
In order to commence field education placement you must:
- Hold a valid 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 Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Faculty 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