Course code

112509

Course type

HON – Bachelor with Honours (AQF level 8)

Professional accreditation status

The course will be accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Graduates are eligible for full membership of AASW. Student preliminary membership is available.

Division

Division of Tropical Environments and Societies

Course pre-requisites

• English (4,SA)
• Current enrolment in Level 4 of the James Cook University Bachelor of Social Work pass degree and approval to undertake the Honours stream, and
• Achievement of an overall grade point average of 5 (i.e. credit average) across four level 2 or level 3 social work subjects of their bachelor degree; and at least a distinction grade in at least two level 2 or level 3 social work subjects.

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

Additional selection requirements

Entry to the program is by invitation of the College Dean of Arts Society and Education.

Post admission requirements

The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) requires all students to demonstrate that they have attended 20 days on campus face to face through their entire course.  Students need to be aware that meeting the AASW attendance requirements does not mitigate the attendance requirements for specific subjects within this course.  Throughout this course more than 20 days attendance face to face on campus may be required.

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: Queensland Government – Blue Card Services

Credit points

96 credit points as per course structure

Additional course rules

A maximum of 30 credit points may be taken at level 1

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)[Embedded], 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 (Honours)[Embedded] will be able to:
• Demonstrate an understanding of a coherent and advanced body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying values, ethics, theories, professional practice and workplace contexts in the social work discipline
• Demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods in the social work discipline
• Analyse critically and transform complex social systems, institutions, structures, processes, practices and inequities
• Consolidate, synthesise, evaluate and transform social policy and evidence to devise practical and knowledge solutions that reduce social barriers, inequalities and injustice
• Communicate social work research, knowledge processes, practice and ethics clearly and coherently through advanced literacy and, where appropriate, numeracy and/or technological skills to a range of audiences
• Design, plan and execute a research project with some independence
• Demonstrate initiative and well-developed judgement and adaptability 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 AVAILABLE AT

NOTES

Cairns

Internal and Flexible Delivery

Townsville

Internal and Flexible Delivery

Expected time to complete

4 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Maximum time to complete

11 years

Maximum leave of absence

3 years

Course progression
requisites

Nil

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

Special assessment requirements

Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy

Professional accreditation requirements

Graduates will be 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

Honours grade

The grade of Honours (I, IIA, IIB, III) will be determined by the relevant College Examiner’s meeting after a student has completed the credit point requirements for their degree, by consideration of both the Grade Point Average earned by the student in the level three/four research components of the program and the Grade Point Average achieved by the student over all four levels of study

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 subjects 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 student 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 title

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK (HONOURS)

Approved abbreviation

BSW(Hons)

Inclusion of majors on
testamur

Not applicable – this course does not have majors

Exit with lesser award

Not applicable

Course articulation

Not applicable