All students, including those enrolled online, are required to participate in on-campus learning for a minimum of 150 hours over the duration of the course. This requirement is stipulated by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). All students, regardless of their mode of enrolment, meet this requirement through participating in four specified core units involving compulsory face-to-face attendance.
Commonwealth supportedPlease note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
The Bachelor of Social Work is an entry-level, professionally accredited qualification to practise as a social worker. This high job growth area offers a variety of careers in client service roles, service management, research, strategy and policy development. The course prepares students to work in a diverse range of fields including health and mental health, child and family welfare, cross-cultural work and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, youth work, homelessness, domestic and family violence, disability, drug and alcohol, community development, and advocacy.
Underpinned by core principles of social justice and human rights, the course engages students in contemporary anti-oppressive, decolonised and trauma-informed approaches to social work practice.
Core units within the course cover essential theories, methods and skills for social work practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. These are complemented by foundational studies in Indigenous world views, sociology, politics, human development and social research.
An elective stream provides opportunity for students to pursue their interests and develop knowledge in a range of disciplines, and an optional embedded Honours program is available for eligible students interested in research and pathways to further postgraduate studies. Note: Eligible students who are interested in undertaking the Honours program should consult the Bachelor of Social Work Course Coordinator prior to enrolling in elective units.
Please note: All students, including those enrolled online, are required to participate in on-campus learning for a minimum of 20 days/150hrs over the duration of the course. This requirement is stipulated by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). On-campus enrolled students meet this minimum requirement by participating in four units with compulsory attendance. Online students meet this requirement by attending compulsory residential schools conducted at the Gold Coast campus. Units with compulsory participation and on-campus residential schools are identified in the course structure section below (‘note 2’). Students should also refer to the enrolment information for these units.
The Bachelor of Social Work is an entry-level, professionally accredited qualification to practise as a social worker. This high job growth area offers a variety of careers in client service roles, service management, research, strategy and policy development. The course prepares students to work in a diverse range of fields including health and mental health, child and family welfare, cross-cultural work and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, youth work, homelessness, domestic and family violence, disability, drug and alcohol, community development, and advocacy.
Underpinned by core principles of social justice and human rights, the course engages students in contemporary anti-oppressive, decolonised and trauma-informed approaches to social work practice.
Core units within the course cover essential theories, methods and skills for social work practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. These are complemented by foundational studies in Indigenous world views, sociology, politics, human development and social research.
An elective stream provides opportunity for students to pursue their interests and develop knowledge in a range of disciplines, and an optional embedded Honours program is available for eligible students interested in research and pathways to further postgraduate studies. Note: Eligible students who are interested in undertaking the Honours program should consult the Bachelor of Social Work Course Coordinator prior to enrolling in elective units.
Please note: All students, including those enrolled online, are required to participate in on-campus learning for a minimum of 20 days/150hrs over the duration of the course. This requirement is stipulated by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). On-campus enrolled students meet this minimum requirement by participating in four units with compulsory attendance. Online students meet this requirement by attending compulsory residential schools conducted at the Gold Coast campus. Units with compulsory participation and on-campus residential schools are identified in the course structure section below (‘note 2’). Students should also refer to the enrolment information for these units.
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Reading | 7.0 |
| Writing | 7.0 |
| Listening | 7.0 |
| Speaking | 7.0 |
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Online | Term 1, Term 3 |
All students, including those enrolled online, are required to participate in on-campus learning for a minimum of 20 days/150hrs over the duration of the course. This requirement is stipulated by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).
International students
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 | $30,832 ($3,854 per unit) | 102204F |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions. | |||
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Social Work, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:
Honours Pathway
Students who have completed the first 16 units (196 credit points) listed in the recommended course progression of the Bachelor of Social Work with a GPA of at least 5.0 will be invited to apply for consideration for transfer to the Honours Pathway.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:
Professional Experience Learning / Field Education
This course includes professional experience learning via field education. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience Field Education page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
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| AND 4 Electives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Honours Pathway | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Students who have completed the first 16 units (196 credit points) listed in the recommended course progression with a GPA of at least 5.0 will be invited to apply for consideration for transfer to the Honours Pathway and complete the following units: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note 1: | Triple-weighted unit |
| Note 2: | Residential School |
| Note 3: | Double-weighted |
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Apply social work values, knowledge and skills in practice and research processes to address client needs, organisational goals and social policy change. |
Ensure that clients’ needs are addressed holistically and creatively, drawing on relevant theory, research and practice wisdom. |
Promote and implement policies and practices to achieve a fair, equitable and efficient allocation of social resources, and identify inappropriate or inequitable policy goals and outcomes. |
Ensure that client needs, organisational goals and community expectations of social work services are met in the most appropriate manner, using social work knowledge, skills and resources. |
Demonstrate a commitment to continually increase professional knowledge and skills and to continuing education and lifelong learning. |
Effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders , including clients, colleagues and managers including within a multi-disciplinary team environment |
Apply knowledge of organisational and societal systems and processes to identify inequality and ensure appropriate action is taken so that social barriers, inequality and injustice are reduced. |
A diverse range of authentic assessment methods are employed in the course including reports, case analysis, recorded role plays of interviewing skills, presentations, essays and assessment of capabilities on field placement.
This course is taught in the Southern Cross Model, which provides guided and active learning experiences focused on supporting student success.
Teaching and learning involves media-rich and interactive online self-access modules supported by regular on-campus and online classes. These utilise enquiry-based learning approaches that enable students to apply their developing knowledge and skills to real-life practice scenarios, reflecting a diverse range of social work practice methods, client groups and organisational settings. The course also provides on-the-job placement experiences through which students refine and consolidate their skills in real-world work environments.
Graduates of this course will be prepared to practise as social workers in government and non-government positions in fields such as health, child protection, disability services, housing services, youth work, aged care, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, community development, mental health services, and domestic violence services.
In line with AASW requirements, students will complete 1,000 hours of supervised placement in a human service organisation as part of the course. Please note, students must obtain a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check and most agencies require students to have a current driver’s licence.
This new course is provisionally accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Graduates are eligible for AASW membership.
Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.
Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.
Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.