Bachelor of Social Work

Social workers are passionate people, dedicated to pursuing social justice and human rights. If this sounds like you, Charles Sturt University's undergraduate social work course will provide the educational foundation you need to make a valuable contribution in rural areas, metropolitan settings or overseas communities.

The Bachelor of Social Work at Charles Sturt University is a highly regarded and practical course that enables you to enter a profession of critical importance in addressing social injustice at local, national and global levels.

Get a head start on your career

If you choose to study at our Dubbo or Port Macquarie campuses, your degree will be integrated with TAFE NSW. This means you can attain a Diploma of Community Services after two years of study. You get credit for the diploma as you undertake the second half of your bachelor's, so you graduate with two qualifications in the same time it typically takes to gain a degree. You'll also be well-placed to gain work experience as you complete your studies.

Outstanding reputation

Charles Sturt University is a leading provider of social work education, and is number one in Australia for social work graduates who get jobs.* While Charles Sturt University social work graduates can work throughout the world, they are often found at the heart of communities in rural and regional areas. Our academic staff are highly regarded in social work education, drawing on their extensive industry experience to support your learning. Your studies will also incorporate academic research that‘s impacting on contemporary policy and social work practice.

*Good Universities Guide 2022/23

Practical learning

Develop strong practical skills and hands-on learning through 1000 hours of supported workplace learning, which offers unique opportunities to observe, question and model social work behaviour. This course includes subject areas such as child protection, cross-cultural and Indigenous studies, ethics, human rights, law, mental health, psychology, social policy, sociology and in-depth study of the methods and theories of social work.

Entry and credit pathways

Students with relevant diploma qualifications may earn credit into our online and on-campus programs.

Recommended study pattern

The below information is for new students. Current students should select their subjects by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment.

Bachelor of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work - Credit Points: 256

The course consists of a pass or an honours degree, enrolment in the honours degree is by invitation only. The pass degree consists of 30 subjects (256 points): 25 core subjects (Foundation, Social Work Theory and Practice, Social Policy/Politics/Economics), 2 field work subjects and 3 restricted elective subjects For information on the Integrated Honours course refer to 1601SW01 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) The honours degree consists of 31 subjects (272 points): Pass degree 1 Social Work Honours Project/Dissertation

Essential set - Credit Points: 232

Core - Credit Points: 64

Foundation

IKC101 First Nations Foundations: Knowing, Relating and Understanding Country (8)

HCS221 Law for the Human Services 2 (8)

WEL118 Human Services Organisations (8)

PSY111 Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services (8)

PSY113 Child and Adolescent Psychology (8)

SOC101 Understanding the Social World (8)

SOC102 Social Inequality (8)

SOC308 Community Analysis (8)

Core - Credit Points: 120

Social Work Theory and Practice

HCS102 Communication and Human Services (8)

HCS111 Introduction to Human Services (8)

HCS103 Fields of Practice (8)

HCS200 Social Work Theory and Practice 1 - Foundations of Practice (8)

HCS202 Social Work Theory and Practice 2 - Micro Practice (8)

HCS204 Research Methods (8)

HCS300 Social Work Theory and Practice 3 - Mezzo Level Practice (8)

HCS310 Mental Health (8)

HCS321 Welfare Practice with Children, Young People and their Carers (8)

HCS400 Social Work Theory and Practice 4 - Macro Practice and Professional Identity (8)

HCS406 Social Work and Human Rights (8)

SWK423 Ethics and Social Work Practice (8)

WEL218 Developing Cross Cultural Competencies (8)

WEL427 Transforming Human Services (8)

WEL429 Indigenous Australian Practice for Human Service Workers (8)

Core - Credit Points: 16

Social Policy/Politics/Economics

SPE211 Foundations in Social Policy (8)

SPE401 Social Work and Social Policy Practice (8)

Restricted elective - Credit Points: 32

Field Education There are 1000 hours of field education in this degree, which meets the requirements set by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Students undertake 3 subjects from the following list: (HCS424 with prior approval of Course Director)

HCS323 Social Work Field Education 1 (16)

OR

HCS411 Social Work Field Education 2 (16)

OR

HCS424 Social Work Field Education 2A (16)

Elective set - Credit Points: 24

Restricted elective - Credit Points: 24

Students undertake 3 subjects from the following list (suitable elective subjects from other courses may be approved by the Course Director):

GER204 Introduction to Ageing (8)

HCS205 Child Abuse and Child Protection (8)

HIP203 Health and Development through the Lifespan (8)

JST204 Young People and Crime (8)

LES202 Contemporary Issues in Community Development (8)

PSY214 Health Psychology (8)

PSY216 Psychology of Ageing (8)

SOC215 Gender, Family and Society (8)

SOC301 Policy, Power and Social Action (8)

SWK414 International Social Development (8)

WEL206 Facilitating Positive Behaviours (8)

WEL217 Social Dimensions of Disability (8)

WEL229 Introduction to Addiction Studies (8)

WEL407 Child and Adolescent Welfare in Aboriginal Communities (8)

WEL409 Grief, Loss and Change (8)

WEL418 Case Management (8)

WEL425 Addiction - clinical practice in human services (8)

WEL426 Disaster Recovery: A Human Services Perspective (8)

WEL428 Building Sustainable Communities (8)

HCS410 Legal Issues in Child and Adolescent Welfare (8)

WEL231 Holistic Eco-Social Approaches in Mental Health (8)

POL213 Understanding Australian Political Life: Actors, Institutions and Policy (8)

POL305 Power, Politics and Propaganda in the Media (8)

Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) - Credit Points: 272

The honours course consists 31 subjects (272 points), enrolment in the Honours course is by invitation only, refer to the Entry Requirements for information. Students complete the requirements for the 1501SW01 Bachelor of Social Work (256 points) and then undertake a Social Work Honours Project/Dissertation.

Essential set - Credit Points: 16

HCS420 Social Work Honours Dissertation (16)

Award requirements

As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.

Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

• To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 272 points.

Bachelor of Social Work

• To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 256 points.

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

Indicative total fee $39,976

The amount shown here is 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.

Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

34

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

37

Successful completion of two University level subjects (AQF level Associate Degree or higher) demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies.

OR

Successful completion of a Tertiary Preparation Course from an Australian University or an accredited provider demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies.

OR

Successful completion of the Charles Sturt Indigenous Access Program.

An ATAR of 65 (including adjustment factors)

A completed AQF Certificate III or higher level qualification undertaken post-secondary schooling

OR

50% completion of an AQF Diploma level qualification

Successful application via the Schools Recommendation Scheme

AND

English Language Proficiency requirements apply. International students who have not completed a Year 12 or equivalent secondary school level qualification or higher qualification in the English language consistent with the requirements for admission to an AQF Level 7 degree course in Australia must have a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in each component (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of the Academic IELTS test upon application.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants.

Credit for relevant social welfare-related Diploma studies

Credit to the value of 64 points is granted upon entry to applicants who have successfully completed one of the following Diploma courses (or other human services diploma assessed as appropriate by the Course Director):

Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol and Other Drugs)

Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol and Other Drugs and Mental Health)

Diploma of Community Services (Case Management)

Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling)

Diploma of Community Services (Mental Health)

Diploma of Community Services Work

Diploma of Community Development

Diploma of Counselling

Diploma of Disability

Diploma of Youth Work

The 64 points of credit which is granted is made up as follows:

HCS103 Fields of Practice

HCS111 Introduction to Human Services

WEL218 Developing Cross Cultural Competencies

SOC102 Social Inequality

WEL118 Human Services Organisations

XYZ03C Three (3) unspecified elective subjects (24 points)

Please note that the following subjects have a Workplace Learning component:

• HCS323 - Social Work Field Education 1
• HCS411 - Social Work Field Education 2
• HCS424 - Social Work Field Education 2A