Bachelor of Social Work [Dubbo]

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Social Work offered through the Dubbo Campus is a co-enrolment with TAFE Western, which will provide graduates with skills to work in a wide range of social welfare agencies.

CSU is one of the leading providers of social work education in Australia. If you enjoy working with people singly or in groups, problem solving and working with social issues and how they affect communities, then social work could be the career for you.

This course includes practical experience through workplace learning.

Your course is recognised by industry

The Bachelor of Social Work is a nationally accredited and registered award in tertiary education. It has full accreditation with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Credit

Credit for prior study will be individually determined. No credit will be given for certificate level or bridging programs.

A completed TAFE Diploma of Community Welfare Work (CHC507) will attract a credit for eight subjects (as per AASW guidelines). These subjects are: HCS103 , HCS111, PSY111, SOC102, SPE101 and three electives.

Social workers with overseas qualifications may be eligible to complete course requirements for the Bachelor of Social Work in less than the normal time. Overseas qualifications are assessed by the University and the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and a program of studies is individually prescribed for each student. On successful completion of the program the student is eligible for the award of Bachelor of Social Work.

Applicants may be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language which is evidenced by an overall score of six on each of the four bands of the International English Language Test (IELT).

Australian residents with overseas social work qualifications should have their qualifications assessed by the Australian Association of Social Workers in the first instance. For further information, phone 02 6273 0199.

Honours program

Students may apply to enter the Honours program through Wagga Wagga Campus on completion of the first year (full-time equivalent) of the Bachelor of Social Work and must have demonstrated both academic and practice competence.

Students should have completed 56 points towards the degree at a Credit average, or grade point average (GPA) of 5 or better. These subjects must include HCS204 Research Methods, HCS206 Social Work Theory and Practice 1, HCS207 Social Work Theory and Practice 2 and HCS303 Professional Field Education 1.

More about the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) program at CSU Wagga Wagga

Course structure

The Bachelor of Social Work studied through Dubbo Campus consists of 26 subjects for the pass degree (256 points) and 27 subjects including one 16 point Social Work Honours Project/Dissertation (272 points) for the Honours degree.

Pass degree

Foundation subjects
PSY111Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services
PSY113 Child and Adolescent Psychology
SOC101 Introductory Sociology
SOC102 Social Inequality
or
SOC215 Gender, Family and Society
LAW211 Law for the Human Services 1
PSY216 Psychology of Ageing
SWK423 Ethics and Social Work Practice
SOC308 Community Analysis
or
LAW221 Law for the Human Services 2

Social Work Theory and Practice subjects
HCS102 Communication and Human Services
HCS103 Fields of Practice
HCS111 Introduction to Social Welfare
HCS204 Research Methods
HCS206 Social Work Theory and Practice 1 (16 points)
HCS207 Social Work Theory and Practice 2 (16 points)
HCS304 Social Work Theory and Practice 3 (16 points)
HCS405 Social Work Theory and Practice 4 (16 points)
HCS406 Social Work and Human Rights

Social Policy, Politics, Economics subjects
SPE101 Introduction to Politics and Social Policy
SPE201 Politics and Social Policy in Australia
SPE301 Critical Issues in Social Policy
SPE401 Social Work and Social Policy Practice

Field education
There are 980 hours of field education in this degree. This meets the requirement set by AASW.

Field education helps students to develop and consolidate practice skills under the supervision of a qualified social worker. It provides opportunities to observe, question and model social work behaviour. Each practicum is integrated with subject covering social work theory and practice.

HCS303 Professional Field Education 1 (16 points)
HCS402 Professional Field Education 2 (16 points)
(490 hours each)

Restricted electives
Students choose three subjects from the following:

Rural Practice and Policy
SOC216 Understanding Rural Society
WEL306 Non-Metropolitan Welfare Services

Mental Health, Ageing and Disability
WEL203 Community Mental Health
WEL217 Social Dimensions of Disability
WEL302 Ageing and Social Policy

Drugs, Alcohol and Gambling
WEL116 Drugs, Alcohol and Gambling 1
WEL229 Drugs, Alcohol and Gambling 2

Child and Family Welfare
HCS205 Child Abuse and Cild Protection
HCS321 Working with Children Young People and their Carers
WEL407 Child and Adolescent Welfare in Indigenous Communities

Justice Studies
JST212 Justice Studies 1 - Context
JST215 Justice Studies 2 - Practice
JST330 Restorative Justice - Community Conferencing
JST331 Crime Prevention and Young People
JST333 Community Corrections

Non-Specified
WEL418 Case Management
WEL409 Grief and Loss
WEL218 Developing Cross-cultural Competencies

Additional Honours component

In addition to the pass program, students in the Honours program complete a Research Practicum (including thesis) of  32 points (HCS407 Social Work Honours Research Practicum) in the final year of the program. Honours students substitute this subject for HCS402. The student may conduct an investigation in any area in which the Honours Committee can provide adequate supervision and for which written approval has been given. The following general areas provide a guide, but they are not prescriptive:

• Aboriginality
• Children and Families
• Community Work
• Corrections
• Disability
• Drug and Alcohol
• Hospital Social Work
• Ideology and Social Work
• Mental Health
• Rural Issues
• Rural Service Delivery
• Social Policy and Administration
• Women's Issues
• Social Work Theory and Practice

Enrolment pattern

Full-time enrolment pattern

Year one
Session 1
HCS102 Communication and Human Services
TAFE Studies (three CSU subjects equivalent)

Session 2
SOC101 Introductory Sociology
PSY113 Child and Adolescent Psychology
TAFE Studies (two CSU subjects equivalent)

Year two
Session 3
HCS206 Social Work Theory and Practice 1 (16 points)
TAFE Studies (two CSU subjects equivalent)

Session 4
HCS207 Social Work Theory and Practice 2 (16 points)
SPE201 Politics and Social Policy in Australia
TAFE Studies (one CSU subject equivalent)

Students may exit at the end of Year Two with the TAFE awarded Diploma of Community Welfare Work (CHC507 ) .

Year three
Session 5
HCS204 Research Methods
HCS303 Professional Field Education 1 (16 points commenced)
HCS304 Social Work Theory and Practice 3 (16 points)

Session 6
HCS303 Professional Field Education 1 (completed)
PSY216 Psychology of Ageing
SPE301 Critical Issues in Social Policy
SWK423 Ethics and Social Work Practice

Year four
Session 7
HCS402 Professional Field Education 2 (16 points commenced)
HCS406 Social Work and Human Rights
LAW211 Law for the Human Services 1
SPE401 Social Work and Social Policy Practice

Session 8
HCS402 Professional Field Education 2 (completed)
HCS405 Social Work Theory and Practice 4 (16 points)
SOC308 Community Analysis

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 (each 490 hours) 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.

Admission requirements

The following Admission Requirements apply to students seeking direct entry to full-time Bachelor of Social Work via distance education as part of the integrated program with TAFE NSW Western Institute.

Students will be required to be enrolled at both CSU and TAFE NSW Western Institute. Interviews for suitability may be undertaken.

Entrance ranking

Students will be assigned to the highest rank for which they have any of the following criteria, except at the discretion of the Course Coordinator(s).

Rank 1

• ATAR of 77.1 or better (including regional allowance), or the equivalent OR
• Completion of a tertiary degree OR
• STAT test with ATAR equivalency of 77.1 or better OR
• Principal's Recommendation Entry Program (PREP)

Rank 2

• ATAR of 72.55 or better (including regional allowance) or the equivalent OR
• Successful completion of a University Diploma, TAFE Diploma of Community Services (Welfare) or Advanced Diploma OR
• Successful completion of one year of study (full-time or equivalent) in a tertiary degree at pass average or better OR
• Successful completion of the CSU Bridging Program OR
• STAT test with ATAR equivalency of 72.55 or better OR
• Successful completion of at least one session (full-time or equivalent) of a tertiary degree at Pass average or better

Rank 3

• Current employment in the social welfare sector OR
• ATAR of 67.95 or better (including regional allowance), or the equivalent OR
• Successful completion of a TAFE or RTO Certificate IV OR
• STAT test with ATAR equivalency of 67.95 or better OR
• Completion of at least one university level subject at Pass level

Rank 4

Appropriate voluntary work in the community or social welfare sector (at least six months' documentary evidence required) AND, one of the following:

• ATAR of 63.40 or better (including regional allowance), or the equivalent
• Successful completion of a TAFE or RTO Certificate III
• Successful completion of a relevant industry-based training program (e.g.NSW Department of Community Services ??? caseworker development program or similar)
• Completion of TAFE Tertiary Preparation Course or ADEPT program for Aboriginal students

An applicant who meets the above criteria and is either:

• an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander
• an isolated rural person
• a person with a disability

will be placed in Rank 3.

Criminal record checks

Applicants should be aware that, in many states, there is a requirement for criminal record checks before practicums can be undertaken in some agencies ??? including health and child-related practicums. Successful completion of the Bachelor of Social Work can only be achieved if enrollees are eligible to undertake practicums in suitable agencies.

Notes

Students who wish to improve their ranking are advised, for example, to enrol in associate student subjects, undertake the University bridging program, undertake a STAT test, voluntary work, or undertake industry-based courses such as Lifeline Counselling.

An applicant's ranking based on prior tertiary study does not necessarily imply that they will be granted subject credit in the Social Work programs.

Applicants will be taken progressively through the Ranks (that is Rank 1 first, Rank 2 second, etc.) until the available quota is filled.

Within the ranks, applicants will be taken on a date of application basis.

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

1. previous studies, and
2. 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 Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 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:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• 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 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.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2