Students promote social justice and human rights, and become agents of change.
Courses include a critical reflection, psychology, sociology, social research, trauma, bereavement and crisis counselling, ethics and working with families. Professional development covers child protection, Indigenous studies, mental health and culturally diverse communities, with a focus throughout on developing a critical practice framework. Field education integrates classroom learning with workplace experience to develop practical social work skills and strategies for social change.
- 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 2024 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.
Courses include a critical reflection, psychology, sociology, social research, trauma, bereavement and crisis counselling, ethics and working with families. Professional development covers child protection, Indigenous studies, mental health and culturally diverse communities, with a focus throughout on developing a critical practice framework. Field education integrates classroom learning with workplace experience to develop practical social work skills and strategies for social change.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete two field education placements in third and fourth year at approved agencies. A Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) is required.
Career opportunities
Many community-based and Government roles including: health, mental health, disability, schools, policy development, Centrelink and child protection.
Membership
Australian Association of Social Workers.
Accreditation
This program is accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Program structure
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 1 core course, 20 required courses and 5 electives.
- Successfully complete 2 field education placements (SWK301 Social Work Field Education 1 and SWK404 Social Work Field Education 2).
- Complete no more than 10 introductory (100 level) courses, including the core course.
- Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
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).
- 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 required core course:
COR109 Business Law
Introductory courses
4 required courses:
PSY100 Social Research
SCS110
SCS130 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
SCS172
Advanced courses
16 required courses:
COU276
SCS225
SCS230 Communication and Thought
SCS235 Think Health
SCS251 Introductory Bioscience
SCS266 Introduction to Behavioural Health
SCS277 Indigenous Wellbeing Foundations
SCS278 Environment and Health
SCS285 Public Health Foundations
SCS290 Science Research Methods
SWK301 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
SWK302 Health Research and Evidence
SWK401 Health Promotion Needs Assessment and Planning
SWK402 Health Promotion Principles
SWK404 Concepts of Epidemiology
SWK407 Environmental Health Risk Management
Elective courses
Select 5 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Those students interested in Critical studies in Indigenous and identity issues are strongly advised to take the following as electives:
SCS210 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation
SCS295 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
Those students interested in Community Development are strongly advised to take the following as electives:
SCS211 Infectious Disease Epidemiology
ENP236 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
SCS201 Special Research Project
Those students interested in Direct Practice are strongly advised to take the following as electives:
SWK303 Health Practicum
SCS286 Special Research Project
TOTAL UNITS 384