Course and Subject Handbook 2016 Courses Undergraduate Courses Bachelor of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work

Information valid for students commencing in 2016.

Bachelor of Social Work

Course code	112510
Course type	Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7)
Professional accreditation status	This course is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Graduates are eligible for full membership of AASW. Student preliminary membership is available.
Division	Tropical Environments and Societies

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites	English
Minimum English language proficiency requirements	Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3a – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense. (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Enrolment Policy – Coursework Students.
Post admission requirements	Suitability to Work with Children Card (blue card): This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements that may involve contact with children under 18 years of age. Students are required to obtain a Suitability to Work with Children Card (which involves a criminal history check undertaken by the Queensland Police) before the start of the first placement. Students must retain a current Suitability to Work with Children Card for the duration of their course, as failure to do so will result in the termination of their admission to the course. For more information, refer to: Blue Card Services

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

96 credit points as per course structure

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Social Work, graduates will demonstrate an understanding of a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in:

The underlying values, ethics, theories, professional practice and workplace contexts in the social work discipline
The unique, complex and contemporary relationships between social work and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their diverse histories and cultures
The impact of social, political and historical issues on environmental and social sustainability in Australia and internationally, with a focus on the tropics.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work will be able to:

Review critically and analyse social systems, institutions, structures, processes, practices and inequities
Consolidate, synthesise and evaluate social policy and evidence to devise practical and knowledge solutions that reduce social barriers, inequalities and injustice
Communicate social work knowledge processes, practice and ethics clearly and coherently through well-developed literacy, numeracy and technological skills to a range of audiences
Manage service provision and professional practice to engage with and enable individuals, groups and communities to achieve social and environmental justice
Apply and adapt well-developed professional practice knowledge and skills, autonomously and in collaboration with others, to address social barriers, inequity and injustice across diverse contexts
Demonstrate initiative and well-developed judgement in engagement, planning, decision-making, problem-solving and provision and evaluation of specialist advice and functions, to achieve practice, organisational and/or policy outcomes
Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional development.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

Level 1

PL1001:03 The Political World: An Introduction to Political Science

SY1001:03 Australian Society: An Introduction to Sociology or CY1001:03 Deviance, Crime and Society

WS1005:03 Human Rights and Social Issues

WS1006:03 Self in Professional Helping

PY1101:03 Exploring Psychology 1 or PY1102:03 Exploring Psychology 2 or PY1105:03 Psychology for Social Welfare Practice (Distance Education)

Level 2

WS2121:03 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Skills and Frameworks for Practice

WS2510:03 Interpersonal Practice

WS2511:03 Professional Values and Ethics

WS2512:03 Organisational Practice

WS2513:03 Community Work

Level 3

WS3025:03 Group Work

WS3214:03 Developmental Approaches to Eco-Social Justice

WS3503:09 Field Education 1

WS3515:03 Social Work and Welfare Practice

Level 4

WS4005:03 Social Inquiry Analysis

WS4504:09 Field Education 2

WS4514:03 Theories for Social Work Practice

WS4503:03 Social Work and Mental Health

WS4511:03 Professional Development for Social Work Practice

OPTIONS

PL3002:03 Policy Analysis and Management or IA2016:03 Australian Indigenous Politics

PLUS

Select 3 credit points of any IA subjects

PLUS

Select 3 credit points of specified WC, SY or CY subjects from List 1

PLUS

Select 3 credit points of any undergraduate subjects or WS3513 if wishing to enter the graduate honours program upon completion of this course

PLUS

Select 9 credit points of any undergraduate subjects

PLUS

Select 6 credit points of undergraduate level 2 or 3 subjects

List 1

WC2001:03 Australian Women’s Studies

CY2001:03 Perspectives on Criminology

CY2002:03 Youth Deviance

SY2001:03 New Forms of Work, Organisation and Career

SY2010:03 Sociology of Health and Medicine

SY2022:03 Family, Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Society

SY2005:03 Qualitative Research

Campus

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
Cairns	Internal and Flexible Delivery
Townsville	Internal and Flexible Delivery

Candidature

Expected time to complete	4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Maximum time to complete	11 years
Maximum leave of absence	3 years

Progression

Course progression requisites	Nil
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	Yes Further information about placements can be found at: Enrolment Policy – Coursework Students. Students may be required to undertake placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled at their own expense.
Special assessment requirements	Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy.
Professional accreditation requirements	Graduates are eligible for full membership of AASW. Student preliminary membership is available.
Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade	Nil
Supplementary exam for final subject	Not applicable

Advanced Standing

Eligibility	Students may apply for advanced standing for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Advanced Standing and Articulation policy and associated procedures.
Maximum allowed	63 credit points
Currency	Advanced standing will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.
Expiry	Advanced standing gained for any subject shall be cancelled 21 years after the date of the examination upon which the advanced standing is based if, by then, the candidate has not completed this course.
Other restrictions	Diploma: Maximum 24 credit points (unspecified credit) at various year levels Advanced Diploma: Maximum 27 credit points. 24 credit points (unspecified credit – at various year levels) PLUS 3 credit points (specified - WS1006:03 Self in Professional Helping)

Award Details

Award title	BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
Approved abbreviation	BSW
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Not applicable - this course does not have majors
Exit with lesser award	Not applicable
Course articulation	Not applicable

Honours

Honours availability

Available as an additional 24 credit points of study [end-on]

Eligibility

By invitation of the College Dean

Normally at least a credit grade in four level 2 or level 3 social work

subjects; and at least a distinction grade in at least two level 2 or

level 3 social work subjects is required in the bachelor degree.