Bachelor of Social Work [Wagga Wagga]

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Social Work offered through the Wagga Wagga Campus provides graduates with skills to work in a wide range of social welfare and social work agencies in areas such as case management, individual family work, group and community work, child protection, aged, disability and rehabilitation, health, community services and corrections.

If you are thinking about a career in the human services then a social work degree could be for you. CSU's Bachelor of Social Work will provide you with the skills you need to work in a wide range of social welfare and social work agencies and services in areas including case management, individual family work, group and community work, policy, child protection, aged, disability and rehabilitation, health, community services and corrections. The Australian Association of Social Workers professionally accredits CSU’s internationally recognised social work degrees.

At CSU, there are several pathways to gaining a social work degree and which pathway you take depends on where and how you want to study, as well as your educational background.

Our main on campus and distance social work program are offered from our Wagga Wagga campus. The Bachelor of Social Work degree can also be completed on campus as part of an integrated program with TAFE NSW at either Deniliquin in south west NSW, Dubbo in the central west of NSW, and NSW North Coast at Port Macquarie.

For further information about TAFE programs, visit the TAFE to CSU website, or the following online course brochures:

• Bachelor of Social Work - TAFE integrated program [Deniliquin]
• Bachelor of Social Work - TAFE integrated program [Dubbo]
• Bachelor of Social Work – TAFE integrated program [Port Macquarie] 

Workplace learning

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 1,000 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.

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 Services (Welfare) 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.

More information about credit and pathways.

Residential school

Distance education students are required to attend four one-week residential schools during the course of their study.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.