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.
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
^Online with mandatory on campus intensives.
1st year 2022, 2nd year 2023, 3rd year 2024 and 4th year 2025
There will be a Face to Face component, where students will be required to attend campus for 20 days as required by AASW accreditation standards, (Fraser Coast or Moreton Bay) in Session 5 to undertake accelerated course offerings of SWK277 , SWK304 , SWK306 and SWK401 , in years 2 and 4 or years 3 and 4, as per recommended study sequences.
The full program will be available at Moreton Bay and Fraser Coast but offered progressively.
Fraser Coast - 2nd year 2020, 3rd year 2021 and 4th year 2023
Moreton Bay - 1st year 2020, 2nd year 2021, 3rd year 2022 and 4th year 2023
Program structure
Introductory courses (7) 84 units
COU176 Quality Learning and Teaching
COU180 Engaging Diverse Learners
SCS101 Teaching Mathematics Years P-7
SCS110 Curriculum A Primary Years P-7
SCS130 Classroom Management
SWK100 Teaching Practice 1
SWK172 Teaching Reading and Writing
Developing and Graduate courses (16) 240 units
SCS225 Curriculum B Primary Years P-7
SCS235 Professional Engagement
SWK200 Teaching Practice 2
SWK202 Engaging Diverse Learners
SWK251 Teaching Mathematics Years P-7
SWK277 Engaging Diverse Learners
SWK278 Quality Learning and Teaching
SWK286 Classroom Management
SWK300 Teaching Practice 1(36 units)
SWK302 Professional Engagement
SWK304 Teaching Practice 2
SWK306 Teaching Reading and Writing
SWK400 Teaching Mathematics Years P-7(36 units)
SWK401 Curriculum A Primary Years P-7
SWK407 Curriculum B Primary Years P-7
PLUS select 1 course from:
COU300 Group Processes and Practice
CRM309 Introductory Counselling Skills
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:
Behavioural Science
Counselling Skills
Criminology and Justice
Indigenous Studies
International and Human Rights^
International Studies^
Social Theory^
Sustainability
^Not currently available at Moreton Bay campus
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)
- (Online) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Online) 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.
- 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
-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