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Bachelor of Social Work

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    4 years full-time; 8 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    All students, including those enrolled online, are required to participate in on-campus learning for a minimum of 20 days/150hrs over the duration of the course. This requirement is stipulated by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

  • Placements

    Yes

  • ATAR

    60

  • Inherent Requirements

    Yes

  • Language Requirements

    IELTS Overall Score 7.0 minimum in all bands

  • Entry Requirements

    View full entry requirements

  • Course abbreviation

    BSW

  • Course code

    3007316

  • Credit points

    384

  • Equivalent units

    32

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Bachelor of Social Work is an entry-level, professionally accredited qualification to practise as a social worker. This high job growth area offers a variety of careers in client service roles, service management, research, strategy and policy development. The course prepares students to work in a diverse range of fields including health and mental health, child and family welfare, cross-cultural work and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, youth work, homelessness, domestic and family violence, disability, drug and alcohol, community development, and advocacy.

Underpinned by core principles of social justice and human rights, the course engages students in contemporary anti-oppressive, decolonised and trauma-informed approaches to social work practice. 

Core units within the course cover essential theories, methods and skills for social work practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. These are complemented by foundational studies in Indigenous world views, sociology, politics, human development and social research.

An elective stream provides opportunity for students to pursue their interests and develop knowledge in a range of disciplines, and an optional embedded Honours program is available for eligible students interested in research and pathways to further postgraduate studies.  Note: Eligible students who are interested in undertaking the Honours program should consult the Bachelor of Social Work Course Coordinator prior to enrolling in elective units.

Please note: All students, including those enrolled online, are required to participate in on-campus learning for a minimum of 20 days/150hrs over the duration of the course. This requirement is stipulated by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). On-campus enrolled students meet this minimum requirement by participating in four units with compulsory attendance. Online students meet this requirement by attending compulsory residential schools conducted at the Gold Coast campus. Units with compulsory participation and on-campus residential schools are identified in the course structure section below (‘note 2’). Students should also refer to the enrolment information for these units.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Apply social work values, knowledge and skills in practice and research processes to address client needs, organisational goals and social policy change.

GA2: Creativity

Ensure that clients’ needs are addressed holistically and creatively, drawing on relevant theory, research and practice wisdom.

GA3: Ethical practice

Promote and implement policies and practices to achieve a fair, equitable and efficient allocation of social resources, and identify inappropriate or inequitable policy goals and outcomes.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Ensure that client needs, organisational goals and community expectations of social work services are met in the most appropriate manner, using social work knowledge, skills and resources.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Demonstrate a commitment to continually increase professional knowledge and skills and to continuing education and lifelong learning.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders , including clients, colleagues and managers including within a multi-disciplinary team environment

GA7: Cultural competence

Apply knowledge of organisational and societal systems and processes to identify inequality and ensure appropriate action is taken so that social barriers, inequality and injustice are reduced.

In line with AASW requirements, students will complete 1,000 hours of supervised placement in a human service organisation as part of the course. Please note, students must obtain a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check and most agencies require students to have a current 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

This new course is provisionally accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Graduates are eligible for AASW membership.

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.

Entry requirements

Language 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

CategoryScore
Overall Score7.0 minimum in all bands
Reading7.0
Writing7.0
Listening7.0
Speaking7.0

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Social Work, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:

  • 24 core units (336 credit points), and
  • 4 electives (48 credit points)


Honours Pathway

Students who have completed the first 16 units (192 credit points) listed in the recommended course progression of the Bachelor of Social Work with a GPA of at least 5.0 will be invited to apply for consideration for transfer to the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours).


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.


Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity and 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

POLT1001 Australian Politics
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
SOCI1001 Introduction to Sociology
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
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 Note 2
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
SWRK2001 Social Work Practice I - Building Relationships
Term1
12 Note 2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
Enrolment information All students are required to meet participation requirements comprising 42 hours of compulsory attendance at either on-campus tutorials (GC students) or an on-campus residential (online students)
SOCI2006 Doing Social Research
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
WELF2003 Trauma Informed Practice
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
WELF3002 Issues of Protection
Term2,3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,3
Term2,3
Online
Term2,3
Term2,3
SWRK2002 Social Work Practice II - Teams and Groups
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
SWRK3001 Social Work Practice III - Mental Health
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A

Third Year

SWRK2005 Social Work Placement I
Tri Term1,2
36 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Tri Term1,2
Tri Term1,2
Online
Tri Term1,2
N/A
Pre-requisites WELF1001 - Introduction to Social Welfare AND WELF1003 - Counselling Theory and Practice AND SWRK2001 - Social Work Practice I - Building Relationships AND SWRK2002 - Social Work Practice II - Teams and Groups
Anti-requisites SWRK2003 - Social Work Placement Ia
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit. This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) activities that require 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 activity. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements.
Enrolment restrictions Students must seek approval to enrol following submission of required documentation in accordance with Field Education guidelines.
SWRK3002 Social Work Practice IV - Organisational Practice
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
PSYC2004 Lifespan Psychology
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
SWRK3003 Social Work Practice V - Policy and Community Activism
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
SWRK3004 Social Work Practice VI - Advanced Practice Methods
Term4
12 Note 2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Pre-requisites WELF1003 - Counselling Theory and PracticeWELF2005 - Case Management and Care PlanningWELF2003 - Trauma Informed PracticeSWRK2001 - Social Work Practice I - Building Relationships
Enrolment information All students are required to meet participation requirements comprising 42 hours of compulsory attendance at either on-campus tutorials (GC students) or an on-campus residential (online students)
Elective

Fourth Year

Elective
SWRK3005 Social Work Practice VII - Social Work in Legal Contexts
Term1
12 Note 2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
Enrolment information All students are required to meet participation requirements comprising 42 hours of compulsory attendance at either on-campus tutorials. (GC students) or an on-campus residential (online students)
WELF3003 Disability and Community Practice
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Elective
Elective
SWRK3010 Social Work Placement II
Tri Term1,2
36 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Tri Term1,2
Tri Term1,2
Online
Tri Term1,2
Tri Term1,2
Pre-requisites SWRK2005 - Social Work Placement I OR SWRK2003 - Social Work Placement Ia, AND SWRK3004 - Social Work Practice VI - Advanced Practice Methods
Anti-requisites SWRK3006 - Social Work Placement IIa
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit. This placement should be completed at the end of your degree.
Enrolment restrictions Students must seek approval to enrol having provided required documentation in accordance with Field Education guidelines.

Note 1:

Triple-weighted unit

Note 2:

Residential School

Note 3:

Double-weighted

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
POLT1001 Australian Politics
SOCI1001 Introduction to Sociology
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
WELF1001 Introduction to Social Welfare
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice Note 2
WELF1002 Community Development
SOCI1005 Social Policy
PSYC2004 Lifespan Psychology
WELF2005 Case Management and Care Planning
SWRK2001 Social Work Practice I - Building Relationships Note 2
SOCI2006 Doing Social Research
WELF2003 Trauma Informed Practice
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
SWRK2002 Social Work Practice II - Teams and Groups
SWRK3001 Social Work Practice III - Mental Health
SWRK3002 Social Work Practice IV - Organisational Practice
SWRK2005 Social Work Placement I Note 1
SWRK3003 Social Work Practice V - Policy and Community Activism
SWRK3004 Social Work Practice VI - Advanced Practice Methods Note 2
WELF3002 Issues of Protection
SWRK3005 Social Work Practice VII - Social Work in Legal Contexts Note 2
WELF3003 Disability and Community Practice
SWRK3010 Social Work Placement II Note 1
AND 4 Electives
OR
Honours Pathway
Students who have completed the first 16 units (192 credit points) listed in the recommended course progression with a GPA of at least 5.0 will be invited to apply for consideration for transfer to the Honours Pathway and complete the below unit. After this students can elect to transfer to the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) or remain and use this unit as an elective:
SWRK4003 Social Work Honours Thesis I