Do you have a passion for social justice, human rights, making a difference?
The current political context presents challenges for social workers but our professionally accredited program is designed to assist students to become critically reflective agents of change in the struggle for a more democratic, equitable and sustainable world. Social work at USC has a critical analysis of social inequalities in ethnicity, social class, gender, sexuality, age, and other forms of social division.
- 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 2023 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.
- ** Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast in 2017. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs campus.
- * 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.
- ** Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast in 2017. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs campus.
The current political context presents challenges for social workers but our professionally accredited program is designed to assist students to become critically reflective agents of change in the struggle for a more democratic, equitable and sustainable world. Social work at USC has a critical analysis of social inequalities in ethnicity, social class, gender, sexuality, age, and other forms of social division.
The program equips students with innovative knowledge and skills to undertake social action, counselling, community development, policy analysis and development, advocacy and research to work with people individually and collectively for change. Students complete two field education placements (1000 hours in total), enabling integration of classroom learning with practical workplace experience in a huge range of fields including: health and mental health, child protection, disability, sexual assault, working with young people, refugees and Indigenous communities. Employment opportunities are extremely diverse both locally and internationally.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete two field education placements in third and fourth year at approved agencies. Blue Card CCYPCG is required.
Career opportunities
Many community-based and Government roles including: health, mental health, disability, schools, policy development, Centrelink and child protection.
Membership
Australian Association of Social Workers.
Accreditation
This program is accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Program structure
Introductory courses (5)
COR109
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS110 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS172
Advanced courses (16)
SCS225 Social Research
SCS230 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS235 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS251
SCS266
SCS277
SCS278
SCS285
SCS290 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SWK301(48 units)
SWK302 Community Development and Social Action
SWK303
SWK401 Critical Social Policy Analysis
SWK402
SWK404(48 units)
SWK407 Context Responsive Social Work Practice
Elective courses (5)
Select 5 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Recommended electives include:
ENP236
SCS201 International Community Development and Global Justice
SCS210
SCS216
SCS286
SCS295
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
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 21 required courses and 5 electives
- Successfully complete 2 field education placements (SWK301 Social Work Field Education 1 and SWK404 Social Work Field Education 2) in the third and fourth years of the program
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course
- Complete no more than 5 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 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 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