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Bachelor of Community Welfare

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    Online students attend one compulsory three-day residential school on campus (face-to-face).

  • Placements

    Yes

  • Course abbreviation

    BComWelf

  • Course code

    3007268

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Bachelor of Community Welfare provides you with the theoretical and practical foundations for work in the community welfare and human services sectors. You will gain skills in case management, community development, counselling, social research, advocacy and organisational practice.

Throughout the course, particular emphasis is placed on social justice, human rights and collaboration as the basis for contemporary community welfare practice. We'll harness your empathy and enhance your communication skills with a view to delivering great outcomes across diverse areas of community welfare practice.

Core units focus on the contemporary context of social welfare, counselling, case management, community development, mental health, trauma-informed practice, Indigenous world-views, child protection and out of home care, youth work, disability and research. Elective units also provide opportunity for you to pursue other areas of interest. You will also gain on-the-job experience through extensive placements, working with individuals and organisations that share your commitment and are working to improve people's lives.

The course articulates with a range of VET awards and is a pathway to the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) which will enable you to qualify as a social worker.

Please note: All students, including those enrolled online, are required to participate in on-campus learning for a minimum of 3 days/21 hours over the duration of the course. This requirement is stipulated by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). On-campus enrolled students meet this minimum requirement by participating in one unit with compulsory attendance. Online students meet this requirement by attending a compulsory residential school conducted at the Gold Coast campus.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Understand the social, cultural, economic and political contexts of social welfare practice and the implications of these for working with clients, workers and community services.

GA2: Creativity

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programs, projects and other activities with clients, which may include individuals, families, groups or communities.

GA3: Ethical practice

Practise social welfare in an ethical manner, in accordance with the values and ethics of the profession.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Use one's own skills and knowledge appropriately and reflectively with clients, colleagues, employers and the wider community.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Become reflective practitioners and lifelong learners.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Communicate with a broad spectrum of people and organisations using appropriate techniques and media organisations.

Plan, organise and carry out work autonomously and as part of a team.

GA7: Cultural competence

Communicate constructively in a manner that is respectful of the diverse cultures in which we work and live.

In line with ACWA requirements, you will complete 400 hours of supervised on-the-job training. This is completed in two separate organisations in different fields of practice so that you gain a diversity of experience.

Placements may include working across a variety of client groups, such as older people, or young people and families at the individual, group, organisational or community level of practice. You may undertake placements in social welfare settings such as child protection, drugs and alcohol, criminal justice, community education, housing, emergency relief, family interventions and domestic violence.

All students must obtain a National Police Check and Working with Children Check and most agencies require students to have a driver's licence.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Term 1 , Term 3 N/A N/A
Online Term 1 , Term 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

The course is accredited by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). Graduates are eligible to join ACWA.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Community Welfare, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:

  • 20 core units (240 credit points), and
  • 4 university wide elective units (48 credit points) 

Professional Experience Learning / Field Education

This course includes professional experience learning via field education. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience Field Education page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Community Welfare after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points) as specified in the Associate Degree of Community Welfare structure.
 
Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Human Services Studies after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) as specified in the Diploma of Human Services Studies.

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

 

Entry requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

Language requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Community Welfare, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:

  • 20 core units (240 credit points), and
  • 4 university wide elective units (48 credit points) 

Professional Experience Learning / Field Education

This course includes professional experience learning via field education. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience Field Education page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Community Welfare after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points) as specified in the Associate Degree of Community Welfare structure.
 
Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Human Services Studies after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) as specified in the Diploma of Human Services Studies.

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

 

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

SOCI1001 Introduction to Sociology
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
POLT1001 Australian Politics
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
WELF1001 Introduction to Social Welfare
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
SOCI1005 Social Policy
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
WELF1002 Community Development
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Enrolment information All students are required to meet compulsory participation requirements to pass the unit. Gold Coast students must attend weekly on-campus tutorials. Online students must attend a 3 day on-campus residential (8.30 am to 4.30 pm Friday to Sunday inclusive) at either the Coffs Harbour (week 2), Gold Coast (week 3) or Lismore (week 4) campus. A record of attendance will be kept at all tutorials and residentials.

Second Year

WELF2005 Case Management and Care Planning
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
WELF2001 Field Education I
Dual Term2,3
24 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Dual Term2,3
Dual Term2,3
Online
Dual Term2,3
N/A
Pre-requisites WELF1001 - Introduction to Social Welfare AND WELF1003 - Counselling Theory and Practice
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit. Please note: WELF2001 - Field Education I AND WELF3001 - Field Education II, MUST be completed in SEPARATE years for accreditation purposes. In addition to the pre-requisites, it is advisable for students to have completed an additional 48 credit points (typically 4 units) in the Bachelor of Community Welfare to be fully prepared for field placement. This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that requires students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning.
Enrolment restrictions Students must seek approval to enrol via a Unit Approval Request following submission of fit to practice documentation.
SOCI2006 Doing Social Research
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
WELF2003 Trauma Informed Practice
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
Elective
WELF2002 Youth Work
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Elective

Third Year

It is possible to accelerate your studies if you intend to complete the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) after successful completion of the Bachelor of Community Welfare.
WELF3005 Planning and Delivering Human Services
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
Enrolment information .
WELF3004 Mental Health
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
WELF3003 Disability and Community Practice
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Elective
WELF3002 Issues of Protection
Term2,3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,3
Term2,3
Online
Term2,3
Term2,3
Elective
WELF3001 Field Education II
Dual Term2,3
24 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Dual Term2,3
Dual Term2,3
Online
Dual Term2,3
N/A
Pre-requisites WELF2001 - Field Education I
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit. Please note: WELF3001 - Field Education II and WELF2001 - Field Education I, MUST be completed in SEPARATE years for accreditation purposes. This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that requires students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning.
Enrolment restrictions Students must seek approval to enrol via a Unit Approval Request following submission of fit to practice documentation.

Note 1:

# double weighted unit

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Core Units
POLT1001 Australian Politics
SOCI1001 Introduction to Sociology
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
WELF1001 Introduction to Social Welfare
WELF1002 Community Development
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
SOCI1005 Social Policy
WELF2001 Field Education I Note 1
SOCI2006 Doing Social Research
WELF2005 Case Management and Care Planning
WELF2003 Trauma Informed Practice
WELF2002 Youth Work
WELF3002 Issues of Protection
WELF3003 Disability and Community Practice
WELF3005 Planning and Delivering Human Services
WELF3004 Mental Health
WELF3001 Field Education II Note 1
And four (4) University Wide Electives.