- Potential entry point for work in child protection
- Opportunities for two field education placements in human services agencies
- Accredited with the Australian Community Workers Association
Program summary
Program title: Bachelor of Human Services
Award abbreviation: BHumServ
QTAC code: 011121
OP/Rank for 2012 entry: OP-18 / Rank-63
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English
Recommended prior preparation: Criminal History check, Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG)
Fee type 2012: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 288
USC program code: AR372
CRICOS code: 057534K. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
As a human services professional you work with people who require assistance and support with everyday living, and help them to make changes to enhance their lives.
This program equips you to work with individuals, groups, families and communities in a range of roles in community welfare. The program includes studies in human services practices within a social justice framework. You complete specialist studies in child protective practices and may undertake a major in counselling. The program includes two professional placements and meets the requirements of the Queensland Department of Child Safety as being suitable preparation for child protection employment.
Post-admission requirements
You are required to complete two field education placements at approved agencies. A Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) is required, refer to Requirements for field education.
Career opportunities
Casework with families, individuals and groups, aged services, child protection, correctional services, disability services, juvenile justice, youth work.
Professional recognition
Graduates may become members of the Australian Community Workers Association.
Enquiries
- Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
- Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business for program advice
Program Leader
Dr Christine Morley
Tel: +61 7 5459 4723
Email: cmorley@usc.edu.au
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 2 core courses, 17 required courses and 3 electives.
- Successfully complete 2 field education placements (SCS273 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice and SCS274 Human Services Placement 1).
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses including core courses.
- Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
- Register selected Majors and 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 courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Human Services Placement 2
COR110 Communication and Thought
COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Introductory courses
5 required courses:
PSY100 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
SCS110 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS130 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS172 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS180 Social Work and Human Services Practice
Advanced courses
10 required courses:
ENP236 Counselling for the Human Services Professional
SCS201 Rural and Regional Sustainability
SCS235 International Community Development and Global Justice
SCS273 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS274 Human Services Placement 1
SCS276 Human Services Placement 2
SCS277 Group Work
SCS278 Working With Families
SWK302 Ethics and Professional Practice
SWK303 Community Development and Social Action
Elective courses
Select 2 required elective courses from:
INT140 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice
SCS210 An Introduction to Australian Politics: The Makings of a Republic?
SCS225 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCS230 Social Research
SCS285 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS286 Health, Society and Culture
SCS290 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
SCS295 Understanding Cultural Diversity
PLUS select 3 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288
Study Plan
The Bachelor of Human Services Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.
Year 1
- Two (2) core courses:
One core course should be studied in your first semester and one in your second semester
Core courses (2)
Select 2 core courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| COR109 | |||
| COR110 Communication and Thought | |||
| COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship |
Required courses (5)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSY100 Environment, Technology and Sustainability | |||
| SCS110 Introduction to Psychology A | |||
| SCS130 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change | |||
| SCS172 Introduction to Indigenous Australia | |||
| SCS180 Social Work and Human Services Practice |
Elective courses (1)
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Year 2
- Five (5) required advanced level courses
- Two (2) required elective courses
- One (1) elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Required courses (5)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENP236 Counselling for the Human Services Professional | |||
| SCS235 Rural and Regional Sustainability | |||
| SCS276 Social Justice, Welfare and the State | |||
| SCS277 Group Work | |||
| SCS278 Working With Families |
Required elective courses (2)
Select 2 required elective courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| INT140 Ethics and Professional Practice | |||
| SCS210 An Introduction to Australian Politics: The Makings of a Republic? | |||
| SCS225 Indigenous Australia and the State | |||
| SCS230 Social Research | |||
| SCS285 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory | |||
| SCS286 Health, Society and Culture | |||
| SCS290 Disability: Culture, Community and Change | |||
| SCS295 Understanding Cultural Diversity |
Elective courses (1)
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Year 3
- Five (5) required advanced level courses
- One (1) elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Required courses (5)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCS201 Gender and Culture | |||
| SCS273 International Community Development and Global Justice | |||
| SCS274 Human Services Placement 1 | |||
| SWK302 Human Services Placement 2 | |||
| SWK303 Community Development and Social Action |
Elective courses (1)
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288