Do you have a passion for social justice, human rights, making a difference?
This degree produces graduates equipped to work with skill and passion to enhance the social wellbeing of individuals, groups and communities, both locally and globally. The social issues people experience in a dynamically changing world are often complex, and this program aims to produce graduates who can support change ethically across a diversity of needs, forms of disadvantage, and practice contexts. You'll learn through a rich combination of academic and extensive work practice knowledge and approaches. The program is underpinned by principles of human rights, social justice and integrity as the foundation for professional social work practice.
- 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.
- The full program will be available at Fraser Coast and Moreton Bay but offered progressively:
- Fraser Coast - 2nd year 2020, 3rd year 2021, 4th year 2022
Moreton Bay - 1st year 2020, 2nd year 2021, 3rd year 2022, 4th year 2023
- The full program will be available at Fraser Coast and Moreton Bay but offered progressively:
- Fraser Coast - 2nd year 2020, 3rd year 2021, 4th year 2022
Moreton Bay - 1st year 2020, 2nd year 2021, 3rd year 2022, 4th year 2023
This degree produces graduates equipped to work with skill and passion to enhance the social wellbeing of individuals, groups and communities, both locally and globally. The social issues people experience in a dynamically changing world are often complex, and this program aims to produce graduates who can support change ethically across a diversity of needs, forms of disadvantage, and practice contexts. You'll learn through a rich combination of academic and extensive work practice knowledge and approaches. The program is underpinned by principles of human rights, social justice and integrity as the foundation for professional social work practice.
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 (8) 96 units
COR109 Strategic Management
COU176 Marketing Management
COU180 Economics for Managers
SCS101 Communication and Thought
SCS110 Group Processes and Practice
SCS130 Introductory Counselling Skills
SWK100 Foundations of Human Behaviour
SWK172 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
Developing and Graduate courses (15) 228 units
SCS225 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS235 Introduction to Social Work Practice Theories
SWK200 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services
SWK202 Social Research
SWK251 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SWK277 Organisational and Legal Contexts for Practice
SWK278 Mental Health and Wellbeing
SWK286 Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
SWK300 Working With Children, Youth and Families(36 units)
SWK302 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
SWK304 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
SWK306 Social Work Field Education 1
SWK400 Community Development and Social Action(36 units)
SWK401 Transition to Social Work Practice
SWK407 Direct Practice Processes
Elective courses (5) 60 units
Select 5 elective courses (60 units) from the undergraduate elective course options.
Students are encouraged to use these electives to study courses in the following discipline areas:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Behavioural Science
Counselling Skills
Criminology and Justice
Indigenous Studies
International and Human Rights
International Studies
Social Theory
Sustainability
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
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 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
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses in total
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