Promote social justice and human rights, and become an agent 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
Mental health, disability, policy development, child protection, community development, advocacy, Indigenous and multicultural agencies, women’s organisations, youth work, counselling.
Membership
Australian Association of Social Workers.
Accreditation
This program is provisionally accredited with the Australian Association of Social workers.
Program structure
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 2 core courses, 20 required courses and 4 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 level courses including core courses.
- 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 courses
1 required course:
COR109 Animal Behaviour
PLUS select 1 core course from:
COR110 Global-Change Ecology
COR111 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
Introductory courses
4 required courses:
PSY100 Event Management
SCS110 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
SCS130 Coastal Conservation Planning
SCS172 Technology and Innovation in Tourism, Leisure and Events
Advanced courses
16 required courses:
SCS225 Business Events
SCS230 Strategic Performance Measurement Systems
SCS235 Communication and Thought
SCS251 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
SCS266 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
SCS276 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS277 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS278 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS285 Social Work and Human Services Practice
SCS290 Social Research
SWK301 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SWK302 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SWK401 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People
SWK402 Critical Practice with Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis
SWK404 Group Work
SWK407 Working With Families
Elective courses
Select 4 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 Ethics and Professional Practice
SCS295 Health, Society and Culture
Those students interested in Community Development are strongly advised to take the following as electives:
SCS211 Understanding Cultural Diversity
ENP236 Social Work Field Education 1
SCS201 Community Development and Social Action
Those students interested in Direct Practice are strongly advised to take the following as electives:
SWK303 Critical Social Policy Analysis
SCS286 Organisational Contexts for Social Work Practice
TOTAL UNITS 384