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 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.
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 Professional Learning 4: Continuity of Early Learning Experience
PLUS select 1 core course from:
COR110 Teaching Reading and Writing
COR111 Teaching Mathematics
Introductory courses
4 required courses:
PSY100 The Diverse Learner across Early Childhood Contexts
SCS110 Leading in Early Childhood Contexts
SCS130 Assessing and Reporting: Monitoring Learning and Making Judgements
SCS172 Professional Learning 5: Formal and Intentional Teaching
Advanced courses
16 required courses:
SCS225 Professional Learning 6: Internship: The Professional Practitioner
SCS230 Communication and Thought
SCS235 Secondary Professional Learning 1: Transitioning into the Profession
SCS251 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
SCS266 Introduction to Creative Writing
SCS276 The English Language
SCS277 Dimensions of Learner Engagement
SCS278 Secondary Professional Experience 2 : Managing the Diverse Learning Environment
SCS285 Teaching and Learning in English: Curriculum A
SCS290 History Teaching: Curriculum A
SWK301 Teaching and Learning in English: Curriculum B
SWK302 History Teaching: Curriculum B
SWK401 The English Language
SWK402 Reading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Writing
SWK404 Responding to Diversity and Inclusion
SWK407 Secondary Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
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 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
SCS295 Secondary Professional Learning 3: Diversity and Inclusion
Those students interested in Community Development are strongly advised to take the following as electives:
SCS211 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
ENP236 The Psychology of Learning
SCS201 Using Data for Learning
Those students interested in Direct Practice are strongly advised to take the following as electives:
SWK303 Secondary Professional Learning 4: The Professional Empowered and Engaged
SCS286 Communication and Thought
TOTAL UNITS 384