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. Complete specialist studies in child protective practices, with the option to 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.
- 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. Complete specialist studies in child protective practices, with the option to 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
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 with families, individuals and groups, aged services, child protection, correctional services, disability services, juvenile justice, youth work.
Membership
Australian Community Workers Association.
Program structure
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 2 core courses.
- Complete 5 required introductory (100 level) courses.
- Complete 10 required advanced (200/300 level) courses.
- Complete 5 elective courses, 2 must be advanced (200/300 level) courses.
- Successfully complete 2 field education placements (SCS273 Human Services Placement 1 and SCS274 Human Services Placement 2).
- 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 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 courses (2)
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
Introductory courses (5)
5 required courses:
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS110 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS172 Social Work and Human Services Practice
SCS180 Counselling for the Human Services Professional
Advanced courses (10)
10 required courses:
ENP236 Rural and Regional Sustainability
SCS201 International Community Development and Global Justice
SCS235 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS273 Human Services Placement 1(24 units)
SCS274 Human Services Placement 2(24 units)
SCS276 Group Work
SCS277 Working With Families
SCS278 Ethics and Professional Practice
SWK302 Community Development and Social Action
SWK303 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice
Elective courses (5)
Select 2 required elective courses from:
INT140 An Introduction to Australian Politics: The Makings of a Republic?
SCS210 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCS225 Social Research
SCS230 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS285 Health, Society and Culture
SCS286 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
SCS290 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SCS295 Gender and Culture
PLUS select 3 elective courses.
A minimum of 2 electives must be advanced (200/300 level) courses, and up to 3 electives may be from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288