Bachelor of Social Work

Our social work degree will equip you to work with a diverse range of individuals, groups and communities in a variety of settings to make a difference to their quality of life.

Break down barriers, shape policy and conduct research

Improve the livelihoods of individuals and groups, including children, older people, Indigenous people, migrants or refugees, or those affected by domestic violence, drug abuse or mental illness. You can do this through direct practice, policy formation, social action and program planning.

Make a difference in the public or private sector

Advocate for the community through legal aid programs, health and community services, housing and corrections, or provide individual and group counselling, case management and disability advocacy.

Establish your own practice

A growing number of social work graduates offer clinical services, education and consultation on a fee-for-service basis.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Graduates will be eligible for full membership with the AASW. Graduates are also eligible for membership of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW).

The course was last accredited in 2020 and is due for re-accreditation in 2025.

Higher education

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.

Secondary education

An ATAR of 65 (including adjustment factors)

VET studies

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

OR

50% completion of an AQF Diploma level qualification

Work and Life

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.

Practicum placement

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

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)

Be a force for social change in your community. The Bachelor of Social Work from Charles Sturt University, available online or on campus, gives you the skills you need to help people from all walks of life understand and improve their personal and social wellbeing. As a qualified social worker, you will make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, groups and communities.

Recommended Study Pattern

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),

5 restricted elective subjects

The honours degree consists 31 subjects (272 points):

Pass degree

1 Social Work Honours Project/Dissertation

Core - Pass and Honours

Foundation (8 subjects)

IKC101 First Nations Foundations: Knowing, relating and understanding Country

HCS221 Law for the Human Services 2

WEL118 Human Services Organisations

PSY111 Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services

PSY113 Child and Adolescent Psychology

SOC101 Understanding the Social World

SOC102 Social Inequality

SOC308 Community Analysis

Social Work Theory and Practice (15 subjects)

HCS102 Communication and Human Services

HCS111 Introduction to Social Welfare

HCS103 Fields of Practice

HCS200 Social Work Theory and Practice 1 - Foundations of Practice

HCS202 Social Work Theory and Practice 2 - Micro Practice

HCS204 Research Methods

HCS300 Social Work Theory and Practice 3 - Mezzo Level Practice

HCS310 Mental Health Practice

HCS321  Welfare Practice with Children, Young People and their Carers

HCS400 Social Work Theory and Practice 4 - Macro Practice and Professional Identity

HCS406 Social Work and Human Rights

SWK423 Ethics and Social Work Practice

WEL218 Developing Cross Cultural Competencies

WEL427 Transforming Human Services

WEL429 Indigenous Australian Practice for Human Services Workers

Social Policy/Politics/Economics (2 subjects)

SPE211 Foundations in Social Policy

SPE401 Social Work and Social Policy Practice

Field Education (2 subjects) *

HCS323 Social Work Field Education 1 (16 points)

and

HCS411 Social Work Field Education 2 (16 points)

or

HCS424 Social Work Field Education (Session 30) (16 points) (with prior approval of Course Director).

*There are 1000 hours of field education in this degree, which meets the requirements set by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Restricted electives

Students undertake 3 subjects from the following list:

GER204 Introduction to Ageing

HCS205 Child Abuse and Child Protection

HIP203 Health and Development Throughout the Lifespan

HSS300 Professional Development

JST204 Young People and Crime

LES202 Contemporary Issues in Community Development

PSY214 Health Psychology

PSY216 Psychology of Ageing

SOC215 Gender, Family and Society

SOC301 Policy, Power and Social Action

SWK414 International Social Development

WEL206 Facilitating Positive Behaviour

WEL217 Social Dimensions of Disability

WEL229 Introduction to Addiction Studies

WEL407 Child and Adolescent Welfare in Aboriginal Communities

WEL409 Grief, Loss and Change

WEL418 Case Management

WEL420 Working in Child Protection

WEL425 Addiction - Clinical Practice in Human Services

WEL426 Disaster Recovery: A Human Services Perspective

WEL428 Building Sustainable Communities

Suitable elective subjects from other courses may be approved by the Course Director.

Honours **

** Enrolment in the Honours strand is by invitation only.

HCS408 Social Work Honours Project/Dissertation (16 points)

KEY SUBJECTS

The key subjects from 2022 are:

HCS102 Communication and Human Services

HCS200 Social Work Theory & Practice1

HCS202 Theory and Practice 2

HCS300 Theory and Practice 3

HCS323 Social Work Field Education 1 (16 points)

HCS400 Theory and Practice 4

HCS411 Social Work Field Education 2 (16 points)

HCS424 Social Work Field Education 2 (Session 30) (16 points) 

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.