Bachelor of Social Science (Youth Work)

Youth Work is about realising justice for young people, securing their wellbeing and recognising their human rights, entitlements and obligations.

The profession strives towards securing environments in which young people, locally and globally, can participate, realise individual and collective capabilities and thrive intellectually, physically and creatively.

Youth workers work with young people individually, in groups, and in a variety of roles as advocates.

The Bachelor of Social Science (Youth Work) program focuses on teaching youth work within a social science context.

This means exploring the social, political, policy and other environments in which both young people and youth work are situated, equipping graduate to be informed professionals who understand connections between theory and practice.The program also focuses on equipping graduates with the skill to make good ethical and other informed judgements in their professional practice.

In the program, you will experience a variety of interactive learning and teaching approaches, both face to face and online.

These include formal lectures, workshops, experiential learning and WIL.

The second and third years of the program include field education experience in an Australian or International youth service.The program will prepare you as a graduate for entry-level employment in a wide variety of organisations in Australia and overseas which provide services and advocate for young people.

These include dedicated youth services, local governments, health services, major welfare agencies, educational institutions, government agencies and a range of national and international organisations.

In this context, students are prepared for a range of roles, including service-delivery (for example in accommodation, drug and alcohol, and youth justice settings), advocacy, planning, program design, management and policy development.

Many of our graduates progress to further study in areas such as international development, education, counselling and social policy.

All courses listed may not be available each semester.

Year One of Program

Complete the following Eight (8) Courses:

AND

Year Two of Program

Completer the following Five (5) Courses:

Select and Complete Two (2) Courses from any:

AND

Year Three of Program

Complete the following Five (5) Courses:

Select and Complete Two (2) Courses from any:

Academic entrance requirements: Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 or equivalent senior secondary school studies, or RMIT Foundation Studies program, or a recognised post secondary diploma or certificate in a relevant discipline. Applicants with post secondary work experience in this field will also be considered.

VCE prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (ESL) or at least 25 in any other English.

International English language requirements:

• IELTS (Academic): 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
• TOEFL (Paper based): 580 (TWE 4.5)
• TOEFL (Internet Based Test – iBT): Overall score of 92 with minimum of 20 in any sections
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE(A)): 58 (no band less than 50)
• Cambridge English – Advanced (CAE): CAE Grade B
• RMIT English Worldwide (REW) – English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programs: Advanced Plus certificate

Extra requirements Non year 12 applicants must complete and submit a VTAC Personal History Online if they wish other information to be considered. Applicants should explain their reasons for wanting to study the course and include details of any relevant work or other experience.

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

As a graduate of this program you will be able to:

• Apply a body of theoretical and practical knowledge, particularly concerning the broad social, cultural, political and economic influences on the lives of young people, to Youth Work practice or future study.
• Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on the ways in which the experience of young people, in both local and international contexts, is shaped by institutional and government policies and discourses.
• Apply logical, critical and creative thinking to effectively conceptualise, plan and implement strategies that will assist young people in policy, service development and delivery contexts.
• Work with others professionally and responsibly and attend to the wide range of ethical issues regarding young people locally and globally while demonstrating critical insight into cultural, environmental and social issues.
• Communicate effectively using appropriate formats, media and styles to a range of audiences involved in Youth Work practice, including young people, other professionals, the public, and government agencies.
• Design and conduct research projects relating to young people in a way that treats young people ethically, with respect, and, where possible, as active participants.
• Reflect on the experience of personal and professional practice in international and cross-cultural settings and to act in professionalized settings responsibly, ethically and with integrity