Fast Facts
Location
Online study is only available to off-shore students
Commencing
- Online: February, July
Fees
$16,020.00+
+total estimated tuition fee
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible
Duration
6 months full-time
Entry Requirements
An AQF level 7 bachelor degree with one year full-time study in social or behavioural sciences, or equivalent; or completion of JCU’s Postgraduate Qualifying Program [Social Sciences]
English language requirements
Band 2
If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course.
Course Code
120911
Course detail
The Graduate Certificate of Human Services is designed to enable students to meet the entry requirements of JCU’s Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying). Whether you have no formal experience in social work or are looking to upskill for a career switch, this graduate certificate will give you the key knowledge and skills you need to succeed as you pursue further study to become a professional social worker.
JCU’s Graduate Certificate of Human Services consists of four core subjects: Social Welfare Practice with Children and Families; Social Work and Mental Health; Organisational Practice; and Professional Values and Ethics. These subjects cover key aspects of the ethos, methodologies and professional standards of social work practice in Australia, preparing you to study the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) with the necessary background knowledge.
Throughout your studies, you will learn from expert academics who are committed to your success. The cohort you study alongside will likely progress with you into further studies, meaning that you’ll have the chance to both benefit from, and contribute to, a valuable support network of peers.
Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate of Human Services, you will have an in-depth understanding of the underlying values, ethics, theories, principles, professional practice and workplace contexts in the social work discipline. You will be able to critically review, evaluate and apply evidence-based practice to solve issues in contemporary social work practice in Australia and have greater capacity for communicating your knowledge and insights as a learner and emerging professional to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment,and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Graduate Certificate of Human Services.
The Graduate Certificate of Human Services is the ideal pathway for those looking to take the first steps towards a career in social work. The core subjects you will complete during this non-accredited course will serve as the perfect foundation for continuation into the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) by preparing you to meet the Master’s degree’s entry requirements.
On successful completion of the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying), you will be equipped to work as a practising social work professional in government and non-government organisations throughout Australia or internationally in areas such as hospital and community health services, child protection services, disability services, youth and family services, and the justice system. Alternatively, you could work as a caseworker with individuals and families, in a community work or development role, or in a social policy, research and advocacy role.
Handbook year | Information valid for students commencing in 2024 |
Course code | 120911 |
Course type | Graduate Certificate (AQF Level 8) |
Owner | Academy |
College | Arts, Society and Education |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Pre-requisites | Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree at this or another university that includes at least one year of full-time studies in social and/or behavioural sciences; or an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in any discipline plus at least one year full-time study at a minimum undergraduate level in social and/or behavioural sciences; or equivalent. Or Completion of JCU’s Postgraduate Qualifying Program [Social Sciences]. |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. |
Academic Requirements for Course Completion
Credit points | 12 credit points as per course structure |
Course learning outcomes | On successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Human Services, graduates will be able to:
|
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements | Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please visit: Graduate Certificate of Human Services. |
Reasonable adjustments | All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure. |
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
WS3027:03 Working with Children and Families
WS4503:03 Social Work and Mental Health
WS5512:03 Organisational Practice
WS5518:03 Professional Values and Ethics
Location
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
External |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 6 months full-time or part-time equivalent |
Maximum time to complete | 1.5 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 6 months Please refer to the Coursework Enrolment Procedure |
Progression
Course progression | Nil |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | No |
Course includes mandatory fieldwork | No |
Special assessment | Nil |
Professional accreditation | Nil |
Supplementary exam for | Not applicable |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for credit for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure |
Maximum allowed | 6 credit points except where a student transfers from one JCU award to another, then additional credit may be granted where there is subject equivalence between the awards |
Currency | Credit will be granted only for subjects completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course |
Expiry | Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 11 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course. |
Other restrictions | Studies and/or professional experiences undertaken to fulfil the entry requirements to JCU awards may not be used for credit |
Award Details
Award title | GRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF HUMAN SERVICES |
Approved abbreviation | GCertHumanSvcs |
Exit with lesser award | Not applicable |
Course articulation | Students who complete this course are eligible for entry to the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) if they also satisfy the English Language requirement for admission to that course, and may be granted credit for 6 credit points of subjects completed under this course |
Special awards | Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure |
Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD16,020.00
Course fees are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.
A Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.
Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependents accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.
JCU offers multiple Pathways to University. If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, consider exploring our available Pathways options.
Contact our friendly team today to discover which pathway is right for you.
Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.
Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.
Real stories
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Lecturer
Associate Professor Abraham Francis
Lecturer, College of Arts, Society and Education
JCU Social Work is grounded on the principles of social justice and human rights. We welcome our students to be connected to the grassroots realities around them. We need competent, confident, and compassionate social workers and human service professionals in the field, and we inspire our students to be change agents.