Bachelor of Community and Human Services

At the end of the program, students of the Edith Cowan University (ECU) Bachelor of Community and Human Services can:

1. Apply broad knowledge of social, cultural, ethical theories and frameworks relevant to community and human service organisations and practice.
2. Think critically to interpret, analyse, research, evaluate established theories, current practices, and issues that arise in relation to the practice of community and human service work.
3. Think creatively to effectively engage with issues and generate wholistic, inclusive outcomes in response to community and human service challenges.
4. Use digital literary skills to access, evaluate, synthesize relevant information from multiple sources, and engage with emerging technologies ethically and intelligently.
5. Communicate clearly and coherently to support and meet the needs and expectations of clients across the lifespan, communities and organisations.
6. Demonstrate a global outlook and self-awareness with respect for culture, and diversity, including Indigenous cultural responsiveness.
7. Demonstrate high level collaboration and interpersonal skills and personal integrity when taking initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values and action related to the work of community and human services.
8. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and professional development.

Do you have a deep understanding of others, strong ability to connect with vulnerable people and are passionate about supporting people and communities to enhance their wellbeing?

This degree will give you the community and human services skills, knowledge and capacity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and diverse communities. Through a social science and human rights lens, you’ll study how communities work, develop and change over time. You’ll explore concepts of social change, gender equality, cultural diversity, sustainability, child development, and policy development.

You will have opportunities to develop your networks, meet industry professionals and apply your knowledge through 400 hours of field placement to become work ready upon graduation. It’s your time to shine.

Recommended study pattern

Students are required to complete 16 core units and 7 elective units. Alternatively, students may complete any other combination of minors or elective units from the School of Arts and Humanities or other Schools.

Award requirements

Students are required to complete 360 credit points.

Choose your subjects

Electives

Recommended Electives:

• Addiction Studies: Fundamental Concepts
• Healthy Ageing
• Cross-Cultural Knowledge and Global Citizenship
• Social Inclusion and People with Intellectual Disabilities
• Theory and Practice for Child Protection
• Community Health and Well-being
• Human Rights and Social Justice
• Gender, Families and Professional Practice
• Organisational Contexts
• Social Policy
• Principles of Youth Work
• Theories of Youth
• Strategies for Social Change.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $51,000

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

ECU is ranked one of the world’s best young universities and Australia’s best public university for teaching quality. That quality extends to more than 30,000 students, many studying online through Open Universities Australia. ECU offers the same quality of teaching to you, regardless of where you’re studying in the world. Their flexible study solutions include a huge range of online courses, recognising your need to juggle work, family or other commitments.

Learn more about ECU.

Explore ECU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

29

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

24

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. Academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• AQF Cert IV
• Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent)
• Undergraduate Certificate
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test*
• University Preparation Course*
• Indigenous University Orientation Course*; OR
• Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment*.

*For international students, requirements include providing your secondary school results.

Alternatively, applicants can apply with the indicative or guaranteed minimum ATAR of 70.

Alternatively, applicants can apply via Experience Based Entry Scheme, subject to eligibility. Our Experience Based Entry Scheme allows you to be considered for entry to an undergraduate course through an assessment of your ability to succeed in higher education. This is based on a portfolio of evidence you provide to us.

Students can satisfy English competency requirements by showing any of the following:

• Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test
• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0)
• Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada
• University Preparation Course
• Indigenous University Orientation Course
• AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent)
• Completion of other tests, courses or programs as accepted by ECU.

If you have completed units of study at University, undertaken a Diploma qualification or higher, or have relevant professional experience, you may be eligible for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning (CRPL).

To assess your eligibility for credit, we first need you to apply for and accept an offer in your course of interest with us. You can then submit an Application for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning via your Student Portal.

Students are required to complete professional placement units during the course.

Students are required to validate the Practice Guidelines as set out by Community Work Australia (CWA). Host organisations may require students to attend after hours and on the weekends.

During placement students must demonstrate professionalism and respect for industry partners. Students are required to comply with Community Work Australia (CWA) and ECU Codes of Conduct along with any agency requirements.

All students, including those who elect to study online, are required to complete 5 days of face-to-face classroom-based learning. These days will be run consecutively in one week. This is a requirement set by Community Work Australia (CWA) for accredited programs. Graduates of accredited programs are eligible for membership to CWA.