Help make positive change in people’s 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.
- Campus note: 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 program is completed at Sippy Downs.
^ Semester 2 commencement not available in 2019
- Campus note: 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 program is completed at Sippy Downs.
^ Semester 2 commencement not available in 2019
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.
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.
In this program you will:
- Learn about theory and values of human services
- Gain real world experience through work integrated learning
- Focus on a specialist area through electives
- Undertake field placements with human services agencies
Career opportunities:
- Child safety officer
- Case manager
- Disability services worker
- Youth worker
- Families support worker
- Community development worker
- Community corrections officer
Graduates are eligible to become members of:
- Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)
Program structure
Introductory courses (7) 84 units
COR109 Architecture and Systems Integration
COU176 Communication and Thought
COU180 Group Processes and Practice
SCS101 Introductory Counselling Skills
SCS110 Foundations of Human Behaviour
SCS130 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
SWK172 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
Developing and Graduate courses (11) 156 units
SCS201 Social Work and Human Services Practice
SCS235 International Community Development and Global Justice
SCS251 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS273 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People(24 units)
SCS274 Human Services Placement 1(24 units)
SWK277 Human Services Placement 2
SWK278 Working With Children, Youth and Families
SWK302 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
SWK303 Community Development and Social Action
Select 2 required courses (24 units) from:
INT140 Complexity and Social Work: Group-Based Approaches
SCS210 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
SCS225 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCS230 Social Research
SCS290 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS295 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SWK285 Gender and Culture
SWK286 Health & Mental Health in Australia
Elective courses (4) 48 units
Select 4 elective courses (48 units) from the undergraduate elective course options.
The School of Social Sciences recommends students use these electives to study courses in the following discipline areas:
- Australian Studies
- Comparative Studies
- Criminology
- Development Studies
- Geography
- Indigenous Studies
- Politics and International Relations
- Public Policy
- Sociology
- Sustainability
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses
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) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.