Become an agent of change.
Our accredited program is designed to help students 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 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 or Fraser Coast.
- Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie and Fraser Coast. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs.
- In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie or Fraser Coast.
- Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie and Fraser Coast. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs.
Our accredited program is designed to help students 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 for change.
Employment opportunities are extremely diverse both locally and internationally.
In this program you will:
- Learn about social inequality and how you can create social change.
- Complete two field placements to learn practical skills.
- Become a critically reflective on important issues around social change.
- Undertake social action on important issues you care about.
Career opportunities
- Health
- Mental health
- Disability
- Schools
- Policy development
- Centrelink
- Child protection
Graduates are eligible to become members of:
- Australian Association of Social Workers.
This program is accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Program structure
Introductory courses (5) 60 units
COR109 Communication and Thought
SCS101 Foundations of Human Behaviour
SCS110 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SWK172 Social Work and Human Services Practice
Developing and Graduate courses (16) 264 units
SCS225 Social Research
SCS230 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS235 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS251 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People
SCS290 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SWK266 Mental Health and Social Work
SWK277 Working With Children, Youth and Families
SWK278 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
SWK285 Health & Mental Health in Australia
SWK301 Social Work Field Education 1(48 units)
SWK302 Community Development and Social Action
SWK303 Complexity and Social Work: Group-Based Approaches
SWK401 Critical Social Policy Analysis
SWK402 Organisational Contexts for Social Work Practice
SWK404 Social Work Field Education 2(48 units)
SWK407 Context Responsive Social Work Practice
Elective courses (5) 60 units
Select 5 elective courses (60 units) from the undergraduate elective course options.
Recommended electives include:
COU101 Theories of Counselling: From Freud to Integrative Practice
COU176 Group Processes and Practice
COU180 Introductory Counselling Skills
CRM103 Punishment and Corrections
ENP236 Regions, Change and Sustainability
SCS201 International Community Development and Global Justice
SCS210 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCS216 Introduction to Environmental Justice, Peace and Conflict: Contemporary Issues
SCS295 Gender and Culture
SWK286 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- 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
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
- For Sippy Downs students some courses in this program will be taught at the Sunshine Coast Heath Institute
- 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.
- Students commencing Semester 2, 2019 are to go to Curriculum Changes Blackboard site for recommended study sequence