Bachelor of Social Work | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Social Work

Do you have a passion for social justice, human rights, and 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 an ever-changing world are often complex, and require highly-skilled approaches. This program is underpinned by principles of human rights, social justice and integrity as the foundation for professional social work practice.

In this program you will:

  • Learn through a rich combination of academic and extensive work practice knowledge
  • Develop the skills to support change ethically across a diversity of needs, forms of disadvantage, and practice contexts
  • Complete two field education placements (1000 hours in total) gaining practical experience in a range of fields including health and mental health, child protection, disability, substance abuse, family violence and more

Location

CRICOS code

062654D

Entry threshold

55.00 55.00 55.00 55.00 ATAR/Rank
ATAR/Rank

Duration

4 years 4 years Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.

Indicative fees

Indicative 2025 fees (A$)

A$12,632 - 2024 Fees CSP
CSP
A$26,000 Annual fee
Annual fee

QTAC code

011151 014151 019251 015051 From 2022

Start

  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2

International and Human Rights Minor, International Studies Minor and Social Theory Minor unavailable at UniSC Moreton Bay.

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.

Start
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
Delivery mode
  • Blended Learning
Total courses
28
Total units
384
Duration
4 years 4 years
CRICOS code
062654D
UniSC program code
AR362
Program structure
Introductory courses (7) 84 units

COU176 Nutrition and Dietetics Thesis
COU180 Group Processes and Practice
SCS101 Therapeutic Communication Skills
SCS110 Foundations of Human Behaviour
SCS130 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
SWK100 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SWK172 Introduction to Social Work Practice Theories

Developing and Graduate courses (16) 240 units

SCS225 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services
SCS235 Social Research
SWK200 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SWK202 Social Work Practice in Various Organisational Settings
SWK251 Mental and Physical Health and Wellbeing
SWK277 Working with First Nations Peoples and Multicultural Communities
SWK278 Working With Children, Youth and Families
SWK286 Ethics, Law and the Helping Professions
SWK300 Disability: Culture, Community and Change(36 units)
SWK302 Social Work Field Education 1
SWK304 Community Development and Social Action
SWK306 Direct Practice 1
SWK400 Direct Practice 2(36 units)
SWK401 Critical Social Policy Analysis
SWK407 Context Responsive Social Work Practice

PLUS select 1 course from:

COU300 Counselling for Crisis, Trauma and Loss
CRM309 Working with Victims and Offenders

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 UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.

Study sequences

Entry requirements

For entry into most USC undergraduate degree programs, you need to have completed a minimum level of education similar to successful completion of Australian Year 12 with good grades.

Further studies, for example, a semester or more at college or university, can also be considered for entry and may give you credit transfer towards a degree.

Some examples of upper secondary qualifications and a guide to the minimum grades that USC will consider are listed here. These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee entry. Some programs may require higher grades. Alternative qualifications may also be considered on a case by case basis.

If your qualification (grouped by country) is not listed, send the qualification transcripts with your application form to the International Office for assessment.

English language requirements

You will also need to meet the English language requirements for this program. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you may be able to enrol in our English Language Programs to reach the required level for most of UniSC’s programs (exceptions apply to non-standard English requirement programs).

Minimum entry threshold

Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.

Location ATAR/Rank
Sunshine Coast 55.00
Moreton Bay 55.00
Fraser Coast 55.00
Online 55.00

Additional entry information

Applicants from a non-English speaking background should refer to the  English language requirements for further information.

Recommended prior study
English
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
  • Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • Successfully complete 2 field education placements (SWK300 Social Work Field Education 1 and SWK400 Social Work Field Education 2) for a total of 1000 hours in different settings
  • Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses in total
  • All students are required to complete a minimum of 140 hours (equivalent to 20 full days) of face-to-face classroom-based learning, the focus of which is professional practice skills. At least 35 hours (equivalent to 5 full days) of face-to-face professional skills learning must occur before the first placement.
  • Professional skill competencies that must be demonstrated in classroom learning include but are not limited to: advanced oral communication skills and professional documentation; assessment, engagement and decision-making with individuals and groups; developing the personal and professional insight and emotional intelligence required for effective use of self as a professional.
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. Additionally students must undertake mandatory face to face attendance at two field placements (SWK300 Social Work Field Education 1 and SWK400 Social Work Field Education 2) (500 hours each) in different settings

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
  • Have all required mandatory vaccines
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 UniSC 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.

WIL notes

  • It is a Queensland Government requirement that students undertaking a placement within a clinical setting are fit tested annually for an approved respirator. Clinical settings include hospitals, residential aged care facilities, residential disability care facilities, prison health services, youth detention health services, community health care settings, and vaccination clinics. If the Fit Testing requirement applies to placement activity within your Program, it will appear in your mandatory checks on Sonia Online. In accordance with Australian Standards, you must be clean shaven for your fit test. Facial hair that lies along the sealing surface of a tight-fitting respirator prevents an effective seal. Therefore, it is a requirement that there is no hair growth between the skin and the facepiece sealing surface in order to achieve a fit. At this stage, there is no exemption in Queensland to this requirement for religious or other reasons and UniSC is unable to waive this requirement.
  • It is no longer a requirement that students in Bachelor of Social Work are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please note that some placement host organisations have chosen to continue requiring COVID-19 vaccination. If you are not fully vaccinated, it is important to know that placement opportunities in your program may be limited and may result in a delay to your placement. UniSC still strongly recommends that all students undertaking placement are fully vaccinated and provide evidence of this vaccination status to the University.
  • For more information on mandatory requirements refer to Social Work - Placement.

 

CSP estimate
A$12,632 - 2024 Fees
Annual tuition fee (A$, 2025)
A$26,000