Bachelor of Social Work

Southern Cross University

About

The Bachelor of Social Work is an entry-level, professionally-accredited qualification to practise as a social worker.

The course provides a foundation in sociology, politics, human development and social research, covering essential theories and methods for social work practice with individuals, families, groups and communities.The course prepares students for practice in the fields of mental health, child protection, cross-cultural work and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

There is an embedded Honours program if you are interested in pursuing research.This high job growth area offers a variety of careers in client service roles, service management, research, strategy and policy development.

Structure

Students can complete:

Students may choose the Honours option if a credit average across the degree has been maintained, or else complete the following units:

AND

one Shared Minor OR 4 Electives

OR

the embedded Honours option:

Entry requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Social Work, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:

  • the equivalent of 26 core units (336 credit points), and
  • one shared minor (48 credit points), or
  • 4 electives (48 credit points)

Honours

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:

  • 23 core units (288 credit points), and
  • the equivalent of 8 honours units (96 credit points)

Students must also maintain a credit average across the degree to be eligible for this award.

Exit awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Human Services Studies after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points) comprising a minimum of 12 core units (144 credit points) and 4 minor or elective units (48 credit points).

Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Human Services Studies after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising a minimum of 4 core units (48 credit points) and 4 minor or elective units (48 credit points).

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the <a href="/staff/teaching-and-learning/graduate-attributes/">graduate attributes</a>.

Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour Apply social work values, knowledge and skills in practice and research processes to address client needs, organisational goals and social policy change. Honours pathway: Be able to create research outputs that demonstrate research design skills, critical thinking, initiative and judgement in developing new understanding.
Creativity Ensure that clients’ needs are addressed holistically and creatively, drawing on relevant theory, research and practice wisdom.
Ethical practice Promote and implement policies and practices to achieve a fair, equitable and efficient allocation of social resources, and identify inappropriate or inequitable policy goals and outcomes.
Knowledge of a discipline Ensure that client needs, organisational goals and community expectations of social work services are met in the most appropriate manner, using social work knowledge, skills and resources.
Lifelong learning Demonstrate a commitment to continually increase professional knowledge and skills and to continuing education and lifelong learning.
Communication and social skills Effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders , including clients, colleagues and managers including within a multi-disciplinary team environment
Cultural competence Apply knowledge of organisational and societal systems and processes to identify inequality and ensure appropriate action is taken so that social barriers, inequality and injustice are reduced.

Institution