Give others the tools to create positive change in their lives.
The human services include a range of professions dedicated to helping others live meaningful lives. This degree gives you a broad overview of many different areas of human services, and builds your knowledge and capacity for a variety of roles in community welfare and social justice. Importantly, this degree also gives you a strong grounding in the principles of social equity and anti-oppressive practice, which are foundational to the field.
- 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 or Fraser Coast.
- ^First year courses offered at Moreton Bay campus from Semester 1, 2020.
- 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 or Fraser Coast.
- ^First year courses offered at Moreton Bay campus from Semester 1, 2020.
The human services include a range of professions dedicated to helping others live meaningful lives. This degree gives you a broad overview of many different areas of human services, and builds your knowledge and capacity for a variety of roles in community welfare and social justice. Importantly, this degree also gives you a strong grounding in the principles of social equity and anti-oppressive practice, which are foundational to the field.
In this degree you will:
- Gain exposure to the theory and values base of human services practice and develop practical skills to ensure your success.
- extend your understanding of the nature of contemporary society, and individual, family and community behaviour
- Learn to critically analyse social problems, and learn about social welfare arrangements in Australia
- Choose electives to build your knowledge and skills in your desired area of work or practice
- Complete two separate field education placements in human services agencies, providing a total of 500 hours' placement experience.
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
Human services graduates find careers in community agencies, government organisations and the private sector, including as a 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). Students and graduates are entitled to apply for ACWA membership.
Program structure
Introductory courses (8) 96 units
COR109 Communication and Thought
COU176 Group Processes and Practice
COU180 Introductory Counselling Skills
SCS101 Foundations of Human Behaviour
SCS110 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SWK100 Introduction to Social Work Practice Theories
SWK172 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services
Developing and Graduate courses (12) 168 units
SCS235 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SWK200 Organisational and Legal Contexts for Practice
SWK201 Human Services Placement 1(24 units)
SWK202 Mental Health and Wellbeing
SWK251 Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
SWK277 Working With Children, Youth and Families
SWK278 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
SWK286 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
SWK302 Community Development and Social Action
SWK305 Human Services Placement 2(24 units)
SWK306 Direct Practice Processes
SWK407 Context Responsive Social Work Practice
Elective courses (2) 24 units
Select 2 elective courses (24 units) from the undergraduate elective course options.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Gympie) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Gympie) Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Fraser Coast) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Fraser Coast) Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Moreton Bay) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Moreton Bay) Semester 2 commencement (July)
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.