Social Work
Bachelor of Social Work/Bachelor of Human Services – Albury-Wodonga (HZSWHW), Bendigo (HZSWHB), Melbourne (Bundoora) (HZSWH)
From 2009 this course will only be available for continuing students. Those wishing to study social work and/or human services should apply for the Bachelor of Human Services and Master of Social Work.
(03) 9479 5815 Melbourne (Bundoora)
(02) 6024 9802 Albury-Wodonga
(03) 5444 7411 Bendigo
Duration: 4 years
The course qualifies graduates for entry into the profession of social work and equips graduates to work effectively in complex organisations and in the policy environment of human services. The Bachelor of Social Work is recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Students will develop the knowledge, values and skills appropriate to understanding the needs commonly experienced by individuals, families, groups and communities and the appropriate responses for personal and social adjustment, and social development. Students will develop the knowledge and skills for analysing the organisational and policy context of social work and human service practice.
This double degree prepares students to practise in a wide range of social work roles and to perform these roles effectively in the complex organisation setting that is characteristic of contemporary social work practice. These roles include direct service, research, administration and social policy and planning. Subjects offered are a mix of theoretical, practical and field-based studies. This reflects the nature of social work within contemporary society which demands that a competent social work graduate understands their practice in terms of ideas about individuals, groups and communities, knowledge of how society operates, the values of the profession, and has a range of practice skills. Students will be prepared for effectively integrating theory into practice and to work effectively in complex and changing organisations. The course includes 70 days of placement (in each of the third and fourth years) in a professional social work agency.
The curriculum of the course is based on a philosophy of social justice, and is taught within an adult-learning model. Students are encouraged to relate their relevant experiences to the theories and practice presented in the program.
Course structure
The course is offered as a four-year degree for post-VCE entry. Advanced standing may be offered to suitably qualified applicants. Students are required to undertake a course of studies equivalent to that listed below. Some subject codes differ depending upon the campus of offer. The following course structure is that for the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus. For the structure of courses offered at the Albury-Wodonga and Bendigo campuses, please refer to those campus entries elsewhere in this Handbook.
Electives, subject to approval, may be chosen from the complete range of subjects offered on the campus where a student is enrolled. From time to time students may be required to attend some lectures and seminars in block mode and/or out of normal university hours.
First year (no new intake in 2009)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | PSY1PYA | Psychology 1A | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | SOC1SAC | Self and Community: Introduction to Sociology | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | SWP1ITP1 | Introduction to Social Work A | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Elective | Can be taken from subjects offered at campus of enrolment | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PSY1PYB | Psychology 1B | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | SOC1AAB | Australia and Beyond: Introduction to Sociology | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | SWP1PPI1 | Policy, Poverty and Inequality | 25 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Elective | Can be taken from subjects offered at campus of enrolment | 15 |
Second year (continuing students only)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | SWP2DLC | Development Across the Life Course in Social Contexts | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | SWP2PPH | Professional Practice: History and Values | 30 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Elective | Can be taken from subjects offered at campus of enrolment | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | SWP2OCP | Organisation Contexts of Social Work Practice | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | SWP2REC | Social Work and Reflective Communication | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | SWP2RES | Research for Social Work Practice A | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Elective | Can be taken from subjects offered at campus of enrolment | 20 |
Third year (continuing students only)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | SWP3COM | Social Work Practice in Communities | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | SWP3IFG | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups A | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | SWP3LER | Social Work Practice: Law Ethics and Human Rights | 15 |
| TE-WK-38-51 | SWP3FOA | Fieldwork and Organisational Analysis | 55 |
| TE-WK-31-37 | SWP3FOP | Fields of Social Work Practice A | 15 |
| TE-WK-31-37 | SWP3RES | Research for Social Work Practice B | 15 |
Fourth year (continuing students only)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HLT3IPA | Interdisciplinary Professional Practice | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | SWP4IFG | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups B | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | SWP4SPP | Social Policy and Practice B | 20 |
| TE-WK-31-37 | SWP4DIV | Diversity in Social Work Practice | 10 |
| TE-WK-38-51 | SWP4FPP | Field Education and Program Planning | 55 |
| TE-WK-31-37 | SWP4FOP | Fields of Social Work Practice B | 15 |
Key: 1Not available in 2010.