CSU is one of the leading providers of social work education in Australia. The Bachelor of Social Work degree can be done on campus or by distance education through the Wagga Wagga campus.
The Bachelor of Social Work can also be completed as part of an integrated program with the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute Deniliquin campus. Students graduate with the Diploma of Community Welfare Work (CHC50702) and the Bachelor of Social Work. More information about the TAFE program.
Distance Education students are required to attend four one-week residential schools during the course of their study.
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.
Social workers work at the interface between people and their environments, so they are found in a wide range of settings from hospitals to local councils, and social welfare agencies to setting up their own businesses. Graduates work professionally as social workers in government and non-government departments, with individuals, groups and communities, in emergency situations and long-term care.
You can work in areas such as:
The course is taught by dedicated professionals with a wide range of industry experience.
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).
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.
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) course will attract a credit for eight subjects (as per AASW guidelines). These subjects are: HCS103 HCS111 PSY111 SOC102 SPE101 and three electives.
To graduate with Bachelor of Social Work students must complete 26 subjects and 256 points, inclusive of credits, AND successfully complete a minimum of 980 hours professional field education placements (in a minimum two distinct placements) under the supervision of a graduate social worker eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Students enrolled in Co-enrolment programs with Western Institute of TAFE (Dubbo) or Riverina Institute of TAFE (Deniliquin) must have also completed the requirements of the Diploma of Community Services and submitted certified copies of their transcript of results and course completion from their TAFE to be eligible to graduate.
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:
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:
Subjects that are not satisfied in these prerequisites will need to be completed prior to graduation.
Enrolment pattern for the Bachelor of Social Work Advanced/Graduate Entry
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.
Inquiries should be directed to:
Overseas Qualifications Assessment
Australian Association of Social Workers
PO Box 4956
Kingston ACT 2604
Telephone: 02 6273 0199
| Study through | Wagga Wagga (Bachelor of Social Work also available in Dubbo) |
| Study mode and normal course duration | 4 years full-time on campus study 8 years distance education |
| Course code | Full-time:
211904 Distance education: EASX TAFE integrated program: EASD |
| Fees | Commonwealth supported place |
| Session available | February/July (Semester basis) |
| Apply through | UAC / VTAC - full-time on campus study CSU Admissions Office - part-time or distance education study |
| UAI cut-offs | 70.00 |
| Study through | Wagga Wagga |
| Study mode and normal course duration | 4 years full-time - onshore (within Australia) 8 years distance education |
| Course code | CRICOS code: 025159D Program code: 1502SW |
| Fees | Onshore - see fee list Offshore - see fees list |
| Session available | February (Semester basis) |
| Apply through | CSU International Admissions |
The Bachelor of Social Work studied through Wagga Wagga Campus consists of a pass stream and an Honours stream and includes 980 hours of field education. An Advanced/Graduate entry program is also available to students with prior learning. The enrolment pattern for the TAFE integrated program is also available.
Foundation subjects
PSY111 Foundations of Psychology 1S
PSY113 Child and Adolescent Psychology
SOC101 Introductory Sociology
SOC102 Social Inequality
or
SOC215 Gender, Family and Society
LAW211 Law for the Human Services 1
SOC308 Community Analysis
or
LAW221 Law for the Human Services 2
PSY216 Psychology of Ageing
SWK423 Ethics and Social Work Practice
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 and 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 Child 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
WEL509 Women and Social Policy
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:
Full-time enrolment pattern
Year one
Session 1
HCS102 Communication and Human Services
HCS111 Introduction to Social Welfare
PSY111 Foundations of Psychology 1S
SOC101 Introductory Sociology
Session 2
HCS103 Fields of Practice
PSY113 Child and Adolescent Psychology
SPE101 Introduction to Politics and Social Policy
SOC102 Social Inequality
or
SOC215 Gender, Family and Society
Year two
Session 3
HCS204 Research Methods
HCS206 Social Work Theory and Practice 1 (16 points)
[ ] Elective 1
Session 4
HCS207 Social Work Theory and Practice 2 (16 points)
PSY216 Psychology of Ageing
SPE201 Politics and Social Policy in Australia
Year three
Session 5
HCS303 Professional Field Education 1 (16 points commenced)
HCS304 Social Work Theory and Practice 3 (16 points)
LAW211 Law for the Human Services
Session 6
HCS303 Professional Field Education 1 (completed)
SPE301 Critical Issues in Social Policy
SWK423 Ethics and Social Work Practice
LAW221 Law for the Human Services 2
or
SOC308 Community Analysis
Year four
Session 7
HCS402 Professional Field Education 2 (16 points commenced)
HCS406 Social Work and Human Rights
SPE401 Social Work and Social Policy Practice
[ ] Elective 2
Session 8
HCS402 Professional Field Education 2 (completed)
HCS405 Social Work Theory and Practice 4 (16 points)
[ ] Elective 3
Part-time enrolment pattern
Year one
Session 1
HCS102 Communication and Human Services
HCS111 Introduction to Social Welfare
Session 2
HCS103 Fields of Practice
SPE101 Introduction to Politics
and Social Policy
Year two
Session 3
PSY111 Foundations of Psychology 1S
SOC101 Introductory Sociology
Session 4
PSY113 Child and Adolescent Psychology
SOC102 Social Inequality
or
SOC215 Gender, Family and Society
Year three
Session 5
HCS204 Research Methods
[ ] Elective 1
Session 6
PSY216 Psychology of Ageing
SPE201 Politics and Social Policy
in Australia
Year four
Session 7
HCS206 Social Work Theory
and Practice 1 (16 points)
Session 8
HCS207 Social Work Theory and Practice 2 (16 points)
Year five
Session 9
HCS303 Professional Field Education 1 (16 points commenced)
LAW211 Law for the Human Services
Session 10
HCS303 Professional Field Education 1 (completed)
SWK423 Ethics and Social Work Practice
Year six
Session 11
HCS304 Social Work Theory and Practice 3 (16 points)
Session 12
LAW221 Law for the Human Services 2
or
SOC308 Community Analysis
Year seven
Session 13
HCS406 Social Work and Human Rights
SPE401 Social Work and Social Policy Practice
Session 14
HCS404 Social Work Theory and Practice 4 (16 points)
Year eight
Session 15
HCS402 Professional Field Education 2 (16 points commenced)
[ ] Elective 2
Session 16
HCS402 Professional Field Education 2 (completed)
[ ] Elective 3
Honours stream
In the final year, either Year 4 (full-time) or Year 8 (part-time), students complete the following subject:
HCS408 Social Work Honours Project/Dissertation (16 points)
This course is for those with a prior relevant degree or who have completed a substantial part of a relevant degree.
It is offered by distance education only and would normally take four years to complete and cannot be completed in less than two years.
Students must have:
1. 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:
2. the successful completion of 10 other relevant session-length subjects including a session-length subject in one of the following:
Subjects that are not satisfied in these prerequisites will need to be completed prior to graduation.
Part-time enrolment pattern - Advanced/graduate entry
Year one
Session 1
HCS206 Social Work Theory and Practice 1 (16 points)
Session 2
HCS207 Social Work Theory and Practice 2 (16 points)
Year two
Session 3
HCS303 Professional Field Education 1 (16 points commenced)
and one from:
HCS204 Research Methods
HCS406 Social Work and Human Rights
LAW211 Law for the Human Services
Session 4
HCS303 Professional Field Education 1 (completed)
SPE301 Critical Issues in Social Policy
Year three
Session 5
HCS304 Social Work Theory and Practice 3 (16 points)
Session 6
HCS405 Social Work Theory and Practice 4 (16 points)
Year four
Session 7
HCS402 Professional Field Education 2 (16 points commenced)
SPE401 Social Work and Social Policy Practice
Session 8
HCS402 Professional Field Education 2 (completed)
SWK423 Ethics and Social Work Practice
Session 1-2
TAFE UNITS
CHCCOM3C
Utilise specialist communication skills to build strong relationships
CJCC301A
Work within a legal and ethical framework Charles Sturt University Subjects
CHCCHILD1C
Identify and respond to risk of harm
CJCCS402A
Respond holistically to client issues
CHCNET4A
Work with other Services
CHCAD1C
Advocate for clients
CHCOHS301A
Participate in workplace safety procedures
44577Y
Community Welfare workplace learning II
CHCCD12D
Apply a community development framework
CHCGROUP3C
Plan and conduct group activities
CJCORG5B
Maintain and effective work environment
CHCCD4C
Develop and implement community programs
CHCCS405A
Work effectively with culturally diverse clients & co-workers
CHCCS2C
Deliver and develop client services
CSU SUBJECTS
HCS102 Communication and Human Services
SOC101 Introductory Sociology
PSY113 Child and Adolescent Psychology
Session 3-4
TAFE UNITS
CHCADMIN4B
Manage the organisation's finances, accounts & resources
CHCCD15B Develop and implement a community development strategy
CHCCM3B
Develop, facilitate & monitor aspects of case management
CHCCOM4B
Develop, implement and promote effective communication
techniques
CHCCS402A
Respond holistically to client issues
CHCCWI3B
Work with clients intensively
CHCGROUP3C
Plan and conduct group activities
CHCINF5B
Meet statutory and organisational information requirements
CHCNET3B
Develop new networks
CHCOHS401A
Implement and monitor OHS policies and procedures for a
work place
CHCORG28A
Reflect and improve upon professional practice
CHCORG6B
Co-ordinate the work environment
CHCPOL3A
Undertake research activities
CHCPOL4A
Develop and implement policy
CSU SUBJECTS
HCS206 Social Work Theory and Practice 1 (16 points)
HCS207 Social Work Theory and Practice 2 (16 points)
SPE201 Politics and Social Policy in Australia
Session 5
HCS304 Social Work Theory and Practice 3 (16 points)
HCS204 Research Methods
HCS303 Professional Field Education 1 (16 points)
Session 6
PSY216 Psychology of Ageing
SPE301 Critical Issues in Social Policy
SWK423 Ethics and Social Work Practice
HCS303 Professional Field Education 1 (16 points)
Session 7
SPE401 Social Work and Social Policy Practice
HCS406 Social Work and Human Rights
LAW211 Law for the Human Services 1
HCS402 Professional Field Education 2 (16 points)
Session 8
HCS405 Social Work Theory and Practice 4 (16 points)
SOC308 Community Analysis
HCS402 Professional Field Education 2 (16 points)
To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:
Previous studies include:
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.
Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:
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 applicant who does not otherwise meet the University’s requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.
You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:
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.
The following admission requirements apply to students seeking direct entry to full-time Bachelor of Social Work through Wagga Wagga Campus.
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
Rank 2
Rank 3
Rank 4
Appropriate voluntary work in the community or social welfare sector (at least six months' documentary evidence required) AND, one of the following:
An Applicant who meets the above criteria and is either:
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.
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.
For all inquiries about Charles Sturt University courses, please contact info.csu on:
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Telephone: 1800 334 733 (free call within Australia) |