Bachelor of Social Work Honours

This program comprises of a research thesis on an area of interest related to rural, regional and remote social work practice.

Students undertaking the program will complete a thesis under supervision, which will display a capacity to develop a conceptual framework of understanding in relation to the topic area, research and review the academic and research literature in relation to the topic area, design an appropriate research methodology to collect relevant data in relation to the topic, and analyse the data in relation to its relevance to future social work understandings and practice.

This Honours program is undertaken in the final 18 months of a four-year undergraduate qualifying Social Work degree, commencing at the end of Year 3 Semester 1.

Year 1 - Semester 1

Year 1 - Semester 2

Year 2 - Semester 1

Year 2 - Semester 2

Year 3 - Semester 1

Year 3 - Semester 2

Year 4 - Semester 1

Year 4 - Semester 2

Year 4 - Full Year

* Students will be assessed to see if they have achieved the ECU minimum standard of English language proficiency in this unit. Students who don't meet the minimum standard will be provided with appropriate English language support and development.

Admission requirement (Band 8)

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 3)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;
• Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;
• AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
• Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to are required to have achieved a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 per cent or higher in the first five semesters of the Bachelor of Social Work including a mark of 70 percent or higher in Applied Research Methods RPS3110 (prerequisite unit for SWK5224) or its equivalent. Students will be invited to participate in the Honours program by the Social Work Program Coordinator, and attend an interview.

International students are required to provide an English language test approved by ECU with a score equivalent to an IELTS Academic overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0). Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.

Minimum English standard requirements for this course may also be satisfied with one of the following:

• Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
• Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
• Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;*
• AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree; or
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).

Portfolio pathway applications are not accepted for this course.

1. Apply advanced social work knowledge and research skills to a range of theoretical and practical problems relevant to social work practice, policy and research.
2. Think critically to review, analyse and synthesise social work knowledge and address issues relevant to social work practice, policy and research with intellectual independence.
3. Think creatively to identify and anticipate challenges and generate social work responses to develop new understanding through research projects.
4. Use digital technologies and social work databases to access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources.
5. Communicate advanced social work knowledge and values in a variety of professional practice, policy and research contexts coherently and with independence.
6. Demonstrate a global outlook with knowledge of and respect for the history and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultural diversity.
7. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values in social work practice, policy and research.
8. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and professional social work practice, policy and research.