Students develop the knowledge and skills to work with individuals, groups, families and communities in a range of roles in community welfare.
Studies focus on human services practices within a social justice framework. Students complete specialist studies in child protective practices. The program includes two professional placements and meets the requirements of the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety Services as being suitable preparation for child protection employment.
- 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.
Studies focus on human services practices within a social justice framework. Students complete specialist studies in child protective practices. The program includes two professional placements and meets the requirements of the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety Services as being suitable preparation for child protection employment.
Post-admission requirements
Students are required to complete two field education placements at approved agencies. A Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) and criminal history check is required — refer to Requirements for field education.
Career opportunities
Casework, group work and community development, across fields: families, ageing, youth, disability, child protection, youth justice and corrections.
Membership
Australian Community Workers Association.
Program structure
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 1 core course.
- Complete 5 required introductory (100 level) courses.
- Complete 10 required advanced (200/300 level) courses.
- Complete 6 elective courses, 2 must be advanced (200/300 level) courses.
- Successfully complete 2 field education placements (SCS273 Accounting for Business and SCS274 Introduction to Systems Design).
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses, including the core course.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with Student Administration.
In order to commence field education placement you must:
- Hold a valid Suitability Card (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).
- SCS273 and SCS274 are 24 unit courses equivalent to two standard 12 unit courses.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Core course (1)
COR109 Introduction to Computer Networks
Introductory courses (5)
5 required courses:
COU180 Project Management
PSY100 Human Services Placement 1
SCS110 Human Services Placement 2
SCS130 Communication and Thought
SCS172 Counselling for the Human Services Professional
Advanced courses (10)
10 required courses:
COU276 Introduction to Psychology A
ENP236 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS201 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS235 Social Work and Human Services Practice
SCS273 Group Processes and Practice(24 units)
SCS274 Regions, Change and Sustainability(24 units)
SCS277 International Community Development and Global Justice
SCS278 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SWK302 Human Services Placement 1
SWK303 Human Services Placement 2
Elective courses (6)
Select 2 required elective courses from:
INT140 Working With Families
SCS210 Ethics and Professional Practice
SCS225 Community Development and Social Action
SCS230 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice
SCS285 An Introduction to Australian Politics: The Makings of a Republic?
SCS286 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCS290 Social Research
SCS295 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
PLUS select 4 elective courses.
Up to 4 electives may be from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288