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 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
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:
- 21 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 level (100 coded) 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.
Introductory courses (5)
COR109 Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
PSY100 Research in Health Care
SCS110 Learning and Teaching in the Practice Environment
SCS130 Leadership in Clinical Practice
SCS172 Community and Primary Health Care
Advanced courses (16)
SCS225 Qualitative Research: Approaches and Practice
SCS230 Quantitative Research Methods
SCS235 Simulation in Practice Education
SCS251 Co-ordinating Care in Community and Primary Care Contexts
SCS266 Infant Care
SCS277 Professional Internship
SCS278 Independent Study
SCS285 Mental Health Contexts of Care
SCS290 Advanced Health Assessment
SWK301 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation
SWK302 Health Promotion Needs Assessment and Planning
SWK303 Special Project: Evaluating Practice Knowledge
SWK401 Special Project: Translating Knowledge into Practice
SWK402 Research Project A
SWK404 Research Project B
SWK407 Research Project C
Elective courses (5)
Select 5 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Recommended electives include:
ENP236 Research Project F
SCS201 Independent Study
SCS210 Research in Health Care
SCS211 Research Project A
SCS216 Research Project B
SCS286 Qualitative Research: Approaches and Practice
SCS295 Quantitative Research Methods
TOTAL UNITS 384