Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Social Work at Charles Sturt University ::

Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Social Work BA BsocWk

CSU’s Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Social Work course prepares graduates to work professionally as social workers in a range of settings.

This course is suspended and there are no current intakes. Prospective students may be interested in either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Social Work (Dubbo) or Bachelor of Social Work (Wagga Wagga).

Continuing students should consult the Handbook in the year of their enrolment.

Honours is available

About the course

The combined program degree qualifies students to graduate with both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work.

Where it will take you

Graduates can work as social workers in a range of settings:

social work and positions in the health care industry
community services
government and non-government welfare organisations
policy development

Course subjects

The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Social Work course is made up of 36 eight point subjects.

You will study subjects in areas including:

a minor in either Psychology or Sociology
a major in one of the following: Art History, English, History, Philosophy, Psychology or Sociology

Professionals teaching you

The course is taught by dedicated professionals with a wide range of industry experience.

Your course is recognised by industry

The course is approved by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Graduates will be eligible for full accreditation with the AASW.

Practical experience

Field education is a core element and a major part of the student’s development of a professional identity.

It provides an opportunity for students to observe, question and model social work behaviour. Each practicum is integrated with a subject covering social work theory and practice.

In order to meet the requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), students must complete 980 hours of supervised field education. This is undertaken in two practicums in approved agencies.

Every attempt is made to accommodate students in placements close to their place of residence and to tailor the practicum to suit the schedules of individual students, but such placements cannot be guaranteed.

Graduation requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 288 points (normally equal to 36 subjects). At the end of the program, students graduate with two separate awards, the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Social Work.

Majors

Majors must conform to the requirements for majors in the Bachelor of Arts. For more information see the Bachelor of Arts entry.

Course structure

Enrolment patterns are set out on the basis of i) a minor in Psychology and ii) a minor in Sociology

Possible enrolment pattern

Session 1
COM120 Reasoning, Values and Communication
HCS111 Introduction to Social Welfare
PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
SOC101 Introductory Sociology

Session 2
HCS103 Fields of Practice
PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2
SOC102 Social Inequality
[ ] Major

Session 3
HCS206 Social Work Theory and Practice 1 (16 points)
PSY202 Developmental Psychology and one from:
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
SOC205 Social Research

Session 4
HCS207 Social Work Theory and Practice 2 (16 points)
SPE101 Introduction to Politics and Social Policy
[ ] Major

Session 5
HCS303 Professional Field Education 1 (16 points commenced)
HCS304 Social Work Theory and Practice 3 (16 points)
[ ] Major

Session 6
HCS303 Professional Field Education 1 (completed)
SWK423 Ethics and Social Work Practice
[ ] Major
[ ] Major or Minor

Session 7
HCS402 Professional Field Education 2 (16 points commenced)
LAW211 Law for the Human Services 1
[ ] Major
[ ] Major or Minor

Session 8
HCS402 Professional Field Education 2 (completed)
HCS405 Social Work Theory and Practice 4 (16 points)
SPE301 Critical Issues in Social Policy

Session 9
HCS406 Social Work and Human Rights
SPE401 Social Work and Social Policy Practice
[ ] Major or Minor
[ ] Major or Minor

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

previous studies
and
other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Universities Admissions Index (UAI) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
or
have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
a TOEFL Internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
a C pass in English at the GCE ‘A’ level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
a C pass in ‘Use of English’ in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in ‘Use of English’;
completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University’s requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

voluntary or paid work experience;
performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Study through	Wagga Wagga
Study mode and normal course duration	4.5 years full-time on campus
Course code	Full-time: 211754
Fees	Commonwealth supported place
Session available	February (Semester basis)
Apply through	UAC
UAI cut-offs	70.00

Study through	Wagga Wagga
Study mode and normal course duration	4.5 years full-time - onshore (within Australia)
Course code	CRICOS code: 020116M Program code: 1540W
Fees	Onshore - see fee list
Session available	February (Semester basis)
Apply through	CSU International Admissions
UAI cut-offs	N/A