Bachelor of Social Work
Undergraduate | CSU-SOC-DEG | 2022
Course information for 2022 intake
View information for 2023 course intakeHelp people from all walks of life
Become a social worker and improve your clients’ lives. You’ll study social work theory and take part in field education. Choose electives for deep insight into social problems. Help Indigenous people, refugees, and survivors of domestic violence.
- Study method
- 100% online study with practicum placement
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 30
- Price from
- $38,624
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Bachelor of Social Work
About this degree
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.
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.
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.
Learn more about CSU.
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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 31
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 37
How to apply
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Entry requirements
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)
Study method requirements
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
Career opportunities
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.
Career outlook
- Health and Welfare Services Managers:
- Over $111K
- Social Workers:
- $86K to $111K
- Welfare Support Workers:
- $68K to $86K
- Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers:
- $68K to $86K