B-SCWK v.1 Bachelor of Social Work

Bachelor Degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications. The honours component prepares students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional work, research and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.

This course combines education in a broad base of social and behavioural science subjects with the study of social work theory and practice in both class and field settings. The focus is on the development of professional knowledge and skills integral to the practice of social work including working with individuals and families, groups and communities, social policy and administration and research inquiry.

Course Accreditation

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. The course is also recognised by the International Federation of Social Workers.

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. The proposed course is being reviewed for accreditation by the AASW in 2019. The course is recognized by the International Federation of Social Workers

Career Opportunities

Social work is practiced in a wide range of settings, including health, community, government and non-government organizations. Social workers deliver services to individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations and government in resolving problems through counselling, advocacy, research, community practice and social policy development. Demand for social workers in 2018 remains strong, both in Australia and internationally.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials. Some units in this course may have a field component for which costs may be incurred. All Health Sciences students must purchase a student identity badge.

Bachelor Degrees typically contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors, streams and/or minors/specialisations for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study. The honours component typically comprises an honours stream equivalent to one year of full-time study undertaken during the last year (or two) of study. Students can take no more than 250 credit points of first year level units.

The Social Work honours component comprises an honours stream equivalent to eighteen months of full-time study undertaken during the last three semesters of study. Fieldwork is an important part of the social work program and involves two full-time fieldwork placements of 70 days each. These occur in the fifth and eighth semesters and in a variety of health and human service organisations. During these placements, students are supervised and supported by qualified social workers, and have regular contact with staff from the School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work.

Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. develop, integrate and apply social work values, knowledge, principles of social work; provide assessment and intervention appropriate to practice context

2. to critically and reflectively analyse issues; generate creative and sustainable solutions across a diversity of contexts

3. locate, evaluate and synthesise information from a range of sources, in enacting in social work practice

4. communicate effectively using a variety of media relevant to the audience and in keeping with ethical principles

5. use appropriate technologies to locate and evaluate information, undertake research, and communicate within and beyond the discipline of Social Work

6. sustain intellectual curiosity by using a range of learning strategies, including professional supervision

7. demonstrate knowledge of the interrelationship between local and global issues, considering multiple perspectives; apply national and international professional standards

8. value and respect the knowledge of Indigenous Australians; demonstrate cultural competencies and inclusive practices; demonstrate commitment to social justice including human rights

9. work effectively and creatively within a variety of practice settings; provide accountable and responsive leadership; demonstrate professional behaviour consistent with social work values, principles, ethics and practice standards

Duration and Availability

Four years' full-time or equivalent part-time for studies in year one and two. Years three and four will need to be studied full-time.

Location and delivery Mode

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.

YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1

YEAR 1 SEMESTER 2

YEAR 2 SEMESTER 1

YEAR 2 SEMESTER 2

YEAR 3

* Eligible students may be invited by the School to complete the Honours stream.

Applicants for a Bachelor Degree are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://study.curtin.edu.au/ and include flexible entry pathways. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.

No prior study in a particular subject is required. Applicants must meet the University’s standard entry requirements, which include English competency. Applicants must be over the compulsory school age as defined by the Western Australian School Education Act 1999 in the year you want to study in the UniReady Enabling Program. STAT elements considered are WE and V. Semester 2 entry is via a direct entry application and subject to approval. Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance Section of the faculty website. Social Work students must have a Working with Children Clearance.

Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au/non-school-leavers/rpl.cfm

Pathway to Further Study

Graduates with a Bachelor Degree may qualify for entry to some Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Master by Coursework degrees. Graduates with a Bachelor Degree with Honours may also qualify for entry to a Master or Doctorate by Research. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.