Bachelor of Social Work
James Cook University
About
JCU Social Work graduates are equipped to advocate for social justice and change in a broad range of environments.Graduates pursue careers in Australia and overseas in aged care, public housing, child welfare, Government agencies, drug and alcohol support, domestic violence, Indigenous health, not-for-profit groups, education, private and public hospitals, and more.You could find employment as a child protection officer, mental health counsellor, health policy officer, health services manager, social worker, youth work, or school counsellor.Social workers can be involved in supporting individuals, groups and communities to respond and adapt to a changing climate.
Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
Level 1
PL1001:03 The Political World: An Introduction to Political Science
SY1001:03 Australian Society: An Introduction to Sociology or CY1001:03 Deviance, Crime and Society
WS1005:03 Human Rights and Social Issues
WS1006:03 Self in Professional Helping
PY1101:03 Exploring Psychology: from Brain to Practice or PY1102:03 Exploring Psychology: from Perception to Reality or PY1105:03 Psychology for Social Welfare Practice (Distance Education)
Level 2
SY2005:03 Qualitative Research
WS2121:03 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Skills and Frameworks for Practice
WS2510:03 Interpersonal Practice
WS2511:03 Professional Values and Ethics
WS2512:03 Organisational Practice
WS2513:03 Community Work
Level 3
WS3025:03 Group Work
WS3027:03 Social Welfare Work with Children and Families
WS3214:03 Developmental Approaches to Eco-Social Justice
WS3503:09 Field Education 1
WS3515:03 Social Work and Welfare Practice
Level 4
WS4005:03 Social Inquiry Analysis
WS4504:09 Field Education 2
WS4514:03 Theories for Social Work Practice
WS4503:03 Social Work and Mental Health
WS4511:03 Professional Development for Social Work Practice
OPTIONS
PL3002:03 Policy Analysis and Management or IA2022:03 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People as Colonial Subjects
PLUS
Select 3 credit points of any IA subjects
PLUS
Select 3 credit points of specified WC, SY or CY subjects from List 1
PLUS
Select 3 credit points of any level 2 or 3 undergraduate subjects or WS3513:03 Research Proposal Seminar, if wishing to enter the honours program
PLUS
Select 9 credit points of any undergraduate subjects
List 1
CY2001:03 Perspectives on Criminology
CY2002:03 Youth Deviance
SY2022:03 Family, Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Society
SY2100:03 Migration, Ethnicity and Belonging
SY2101:03 Sociology of Digital Life
WC2001:03 Australian Women’s Studies
Entry requirements
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Course pre-requisites | English (Units 3/4,C) |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3a – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure. |
Post admission requirements | On-campus attendance requirement: The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) requires all students to demonstrate that they have attended 20 days on campus face-to-face throughout their entire course. Students need to be aware that meeting the AASW attendance requirements does not mitigate the attendance requirements for specific subjects within this course. Throughout this course more than 20 days attendance face-to-face on campus may be required. Honours: The embedded honours degree is available only to students admitted to the Bachelor of Social Work at this university. A student may be invited by the College Dean to undertake the embedded honours degree if the student has satisfied the College requirements relating to the selection of subjects and the standard of academic achievement necessary to undertake the honours degree. Under approved circumstances students may enrol in Honours part-time. Suitability to Work with Children Card (blue card): This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements that may involve contact with children under 18 years of age. Students are required to obtain a Suitability to Work with Children Card (which involves a criminal history check undertaken by the Queensland Police) before the start of the first placement. Students must retain a current Suitability to Work with Children Card for the duration of their course, as failure to do so will result in the termination of their admission to the course. For more information, refer to: Blue Card Services |
Learning outcomes
A Bachelor of Social Work from JCU provides you with the practical skills and experience to begin a rewarding career, with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, International and tropical communities.
Learn how to promote positive relationships and champion a just and equitable society. You will study core subjects including social welfare with families and children, cross-cultural practice, eco-social justice, psychology and mental health. Benefit from passionate educators, state-of-the-art social research technology and real-world case studies with an emphasis on sustainability and advocacy.
Apply your theoretical knowledge to extensive field placements in your third and fourth years. Learn from leading social workers and build effective relationships with diverse cultures, including rural, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. You could also participate in field trips to India and Thailand.
JCU Social Work graduates are confident, high-achieving professionals with the skillset to succeed in a rewarding global workforce.
Graduates of this course are eligible for full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Additional information
View the Handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects, as well as pre-placement requirements.
Honours
The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) degree is available for high-achieving students. It consists of extra study and the development of a personal research project and thesis. An Honours degree is usually essential for entry to research higher degrees.
Institution
