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 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.

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.

Residential school

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

Honours program

Students may apply to enter the Honours program on completion of the first year (full-time equivalent) of the Bachelor of Social Work and have demonstrated both academic and practice competence. Students should have completed 56 subject 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.

In addition to the pass program, students in the Honours program complete a thesis of 16 points (SWK430 Social Work Honours Project/Dissertation) in the final year of the program.

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
• community work
• corrections
• disability
• hospital
• social work
• ideology and social work
• mental health
• rural issues
• rural service delivery
• social policy and administration
• women's issues.

Admission requirements

The following admission requirements apply to students seeking direct entry to full-time Bachelor of Social Work through Wagga Wagga Campus.

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 77.10 or better (including regional allowance), or the equivalent OR
• Completion of a tertiary degree OR
• STAT test with ATAR equivalency of 77.10 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

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 both the Bachelor of Social Work and the Bachelor of Arts/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

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.

Bachelor of Social Work Advanced/Graduate Entry

This course is for those with a prior relevant degree or who have completed a substantial part of a relevant degree. It is by distance only and would normally take four years to complete and cannot be completed in less than two years.

Students must have a three-year degree or its equivalent or have successfully completed two-thirds of a recognised degree including the successful completion of at least two session length subjects in:

• Psychology, one of which must be developmental psychology (or equivalent)
• Sociology
• Australian Government and politics and/or welfare politics, social policy and social philosophy, and Australian economic and social history
  and
• the successful completion of 10 other relevant session-length subjects including a session-length subject on research, law and human rights

Subjects that are not satisfied in these prerequisites will need to be completed prior to graduation.

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.

Bachelor of Social Work - graduate entry

This course is for those with a prior relevant degree or who have completed a substantial part of a relevant degree. It is by distance only and would normally take four years to complete and cannot be completed in less than two years.

Students must have a three-year degree or its equivalent or have successfully completed two-thirds of a recognised degree including the successful completion of at least two session length subjects in:

• Psychology, one of which must be developmental psychology (or equivalent)
• Sociology
• Australian Government and politics and/or welfare politics, social policy and social philosophy, and Australian economic and social history
  and
• the successful completion of 10 other relevant session-length subjects including a session-length subject on research, law and human rights.

Subjects that are not satisfied in these prerequisites will need to be completed prior to graduation. 

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2