Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)

There is demand in the human services industry for a qualification that combines elements of both social work and psychology.

Social workers and psychologists often work side by side in organisations where a ‘balancing act’ of expertise is required from both areas.

The program has been designed for you to develop advanced knowledge and skills for social work practice in the contemporary Australian welfare and human services system.You will critically engage with social issues in Australian society and be conversant with the key concepts underpinning social development, needs and problems, with a focus on individual, family and community well-being.

You will engage with the value base of the professions as outlined in the AASW Code of Ethics and by the Psychology Board.

You will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge, values and skills you gain in the classroom in two field education placements.

This suite of knowledge and skills will underpin and be informed by your research and critical analysis of approaches and evidence relevant to the practice of social work.You are able to undertake the program in a blend of face to face and online learning.On completion of the program you will be a qualified social work practitioner with professional knowledge of the fields of social science, psychology and social work theory and practice.

You will be able to analyse and interpret social problems, assist individuals, groups, communities and others in need, confidently lead others and provide informed insights into directions and trends of the profession.

You will have qualifying level professional practice skills and be experienced in critically analysing and researching social problems, and have the ability to apply initiative and judgement to social problems.In your preparation for professional roles in interpersonal, intra-familial, group, organisational, community and policy contexts, you will also be able to work independently as well as in teams.

You will be able to confidently communicate with allied professionals, including health care practitioners, policy makers, staff from government and community welfare agencies.You will gain skills for research and life-long learning to enable you to confidently contribute to your own professional development and to a profession that is always evolving.

You will gain insight into your own creativity, and develop efficient work practices to allow you to continue to grow and develop professionally.A capstone experience is provided in HWSS2219 Field Education Integrated Learning 2 through which you will integrate and synthesise your knowledge of social work and psychology, connect theory to practice, and demonstrate your holistic achievement of the program learning outcomes.

For more information about the weighted average mark, please click here

To graduate you must complete the following:

All courses listed may not be available each semester.

Year One of Program

Complete the following Eight (8) Courses: Semester One:

Semester Two:

AND

Year Two of Program

Complete the following Eight (8) Courses: Semester One:

Semester Two:

AND

Year Three of Program

Complete the following Seven (7) Courses: Semester One:

Semester Two:

AND

Year Four of Program

Complete the following Six (6) Courses: Semester One:

Semester Two:

Select and Complete One (1) of the following APAC Option Course:

Select and Complete One (1) Program Option Course. Please refer to the list of Program Option courses at the end of this program structure.

Select and Complete One (1) Course from any:

Complete the following One (1) Course:

AND

Year Five of Program

Complete the following Seven (7) Courses: Semester One:

Semester Two:

Complete the following Seven (7) Courses: Semester One:

Semester Two:

AND

Program Option Courses

List of Program Option Courses:

You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school) qualification.

For equivalents to Australian academic entry requirements, see the Country equivalents web page

Prerequisites Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in any other English.

International English language requirement A minimum IELTS (Academic module) overall score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent. For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the English equivalents web page

Note: Students are required to complete a Working with Children Check and a Police Check before going on placement.

The Social Work component of this double degree is designed to provide you with professional education for social work practice in the contemporary Australian welfare and human service system. Upon successful completion you will be able to:

• participate robustly in contemporary and changing ideological and political debates impacting on society, in an informed, flexible and grounded manner to evaluate policy and/or engage in policy debates
• apply a body of interdisciplinary knowledge, values and skills in working with and for society’s most vulnerable and marginalised individuals, families, groups and communities
• critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on issues of social disadvantage, marginalisation and oppression in both local and international contexts, and proactively work to promote social justice and human rights
• demonstrate creativity, critical thinking and practical reasoning when identifying and solving problems in diverse contexts
• communicate using diverse formats and strategies to stakeholders within and external to your discipline
• work with others in a range of roles and contexts, demonstrating cultural, environmental and social awareness while promoting respectful, ethical and reflective practice
• apply initiative and ethical judgment in planning, problem solving and decision making in your current and continuing professional practice
• use appropriate research methods to independently design and execute a capstone project

In addition the Psychology component of this double degree is designed to provide you with education in the scientific discipline of psychology and introduce you to its application. Graduates will have sound evidence-based knowledge as a foundation for entering either employment, where the knowledge and approaches of psychology can be used, or advanced level psychology programs (e.g. Honours or Graduate Diploma in Psychology). Students will develop:

The program learning outcomes are derived from guidelines set by APAC (the accreditation body for psychology) and AASW (the accrediting body for AASW) and consultation with key stakeholders.