Bachelor of Arts (Welfare and Society)
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
About
This program is not available to commencing students, it is designed as an alternative award for students in the professionally accredited programs, Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) and Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology).
It enables students to align themselves towards careers in various human service contexts that draw upon similar academic knowledge and skills as social work but do not require the formal social work professional accreditation.
Specifically, this program reorients students from a practice based focus to an administrative or policy-based focussed professional degree.This program will develop the theoretical knowledge and skills you require to work in a wide range of professional settings, including government and not-for-profit organisations, both in Australia and internationally.
This program is especially oriented to administration and policy advice roles in areas of social care and support.You will build the foundation for understanding and analysing the relationships between the global and local dimensions of social care and policy implications for a diverse and changing world.
You will engage critically with legislative and policy frameworks across different policy and legislative contexts.
You will learn to advocate, consult and collaborate within different cultural settings and develop skills for bringing about legislative and/or policy reform.The program is offered on campus in face to face mode of delivery.
At various points in your programs you will have the opportunity to engage in independent projects and inquiries in your specific area of interest.
The program also provides opportunities for you to undertake study tours and/or exchange programs outside of your base location at RMIT Melbourne.As a graduate you can expect to work within Australia in local, state or federal government agencies and social care services in a variety of human services roles, local council roles or policy and advice roles.
Employment can be found in similar sectors in other countries or in international aid and development organisations.
Structure
Year One of Program
Complete the following Six (6) Courses:
| Course Title | Credit Points | Course Code | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Society in a Global Context | 12 | HUSO1207 | City Campus |
| History and Trends in Social Work | 12 | HWSS2090 | City Campus |
| Group Work Theory and Practice | 12 | HWSS2093 | City Campus |
| Ethics and Reflexive Practice | 12 | HWSS2164 | City Campus |
| Social Work Practice | 12 | HWSS2091 | City Campus |
| Intercultural Communication | 12 | SOCU1025 | City Campus |
Select and Complete One (1) of the following Course:
| Course Title | Credit Points | Course Code | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundations of Psychology | 12 | BESC1126 | City Campus |
| Self, Identity and Agency | 12 | HUSO2164 | City Campus |
Select and Complete One (1) of the following Course:
| Course Title | Credit Points | Course Code | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainable Futures | 12 | ENVI1153 | City Campus |
| Power and Governance | 12 | POLI1025 | City Campus |
Year Two of Program
Complete the following Seven (7) Courses:
| Course Title | Credit Points | Course Code | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Approaches to Social Work | 12 | HWSS1133 | City Campus |
| Indigenous Studies | 12 | HUSO1296 | City Campus |
| Loss, Trauma and Grief | 12 | HWSS1146 | City Campus |
| Casework and Advocacy | 12 | HWSS1135 | City Campus |
| Contemporary Organisational Practices | 12 | HUSO1213 | City Campus |
| Law for Social Work Practice | 12 | HWSS2163 | City Campus |
| Public Policy | 12 | POLI1066 | City Campus |
Select and Complete One (1) Course from any:
ANDYear Three of Program
Complete the following Four (4) Courses:
| Course Title | Credit Points | Course Code | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundations of Social Research | 12 | HUSO2166 | City Campus |
| Influencing Policy | 12 | POLI1038 | City Campus |
| Working with Clients with Co-existing disorders | 12 | HWSS2172 | City Campus |
| Indigenous Policy | 12 | POLI1111 | City Campus |
Select and Complete Four (4) Courses from any:
Complete the following Four (4) Courses from Drugs, Alcohol and Mental Health Minor:
| Course Title | Credit Points | Course Code | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Sociology of Drug Use | 12 | HUSO2201 | City Campus |
| Alcohol and Other Drugs, Interventions and Complex Needs | 12 | HWSS2171 | City Campus |
| Drug Related Crime | 12 | HUSO2228 | City Campus |
| Mental Health and Wellbeing | 12 | HUSO1298 | City Campus |
Select and Complete Four (4) Courses from the Policy Minor:
| Course Title | Credit Points | Course Code | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Policy Theory | 12 | HUSO2265 | City Campus |
| Policy Communication | 12 | POLI1088 | City Campus |
| Youth Policy (Youth Work Theory and Practice 5) | 12 | HWSS2078 | City Campus |
| Media, Politics and Policy in Australia | 12 | POLI1004 | City Campus |
| Law and Justice Policy | 12 | SOCU2243 | City Campus |
Complete the following Four (4) courses from Indigenous Specialisation:
| Course Title | Credit Points | Course Code | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples | 12 | HUSO2301 | City Campus |
| Indigenous Dislocation and Diaspora | 12 | HUSO2382 | City Campus |
| Indigenous Peoples and the Environment | 12 | ENVI1048 | City Campus |
| Mythbusting Reality: Indigenous v Western | 12 | HUSO2386 | City Campus |
Entry requirements
This program is an exit award for BH105 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) and BH106 Bachelor or Social Work (Honours)/Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology).
Learning outcomes
The program is designed to provide you with professional education for administrative and policy-focused employment 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.
Institution
