The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) aims to produce professionally qualified social workers who have fulfilled the practice standards of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and who will be eligible for membership with the AASW. Social workers pursue social justice or work to redistribute resources that assist client groups to achieve social inclusion, support people to enjoy better quality of life, and facilitate individual and community wellbeing.
Social Work is a profession committed to social justice and respect for human rights and they provide a range of services including counselling, group work, mediation, advocacy, social support, legal reports, crisis intervention and referral advice. Social workers contribute to policy development and advise governments on specific welfare issues and as such can influence how services are delivered and how society responds to social issues.
The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) is integrated to the four year course with the final year of the course completing the research knowledge and project requirements for social work scholarship and advanced practice skills and knowledge. Students will gain advanced knowledge of social work theory, utilise technical skills to design and use research in a project in their final year and develop skills in research design and methods.
Duration | 4 years full-time or 8 years part-time |
---|---|
Credit Points that Must be Earned | 192 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | BSocWk(Hons) |
AQF Level | Level 8: Bachelor Honours Degree |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2024
|
Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
|
---|---|
International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
All students must maintain recency of professional knowledge and skills throughout the course. In order to meet this criterion students must complete their course of study within 8 years from the date of first enrolment in the course.
Students who cannot complete the course within 8 years must apply in writing to the Discipline Lead Social Work for additional time to complete the degree. Only exceptional circumstances will be considered. Relevant documentary evidence will be required to approve the extension of enrolment beyond eight years. All students irrespective of special circumstances must complete the qualification within 10 years as per University policy.
Studies of Society
Information technology literacy
Interim Awards | CG80 - Associate Degree of Community Welfare CG81 - Bachelor of Community Welfare |
---|---|
Exit Awards | CG83 - Bachelor of Human Services CG82 - Associate Degree of Human Services |
Accreditation |
|
Compulsory Residential School | Students are required to attend a minimum of 20 days residential school attendance throughout the course. There are compulsory three day residential schools attached to the following units: 1st year residential program: SOWK11014 Contemporary Human Services SOWK 11015 Professional Communication in Human Services 2nd year residential program: SOWK 12009 Casework & Case Management SOWK 12011 Social Group Work & Family Work 3rd year residential program: SOWK 13010 Integrating Theory & Practice 1 SOWK 13011 Community Practice 4th year residential program: SOWK 14005 Advanced Professional Communication Skills SOWK 14010 Integrating Theory & Practice 2 NB: Students who enrol in 'on campus' mode will not be required to attend the residential school, but instead will be required to attend weekly sessions that are equivalent in content to the residential schools. These weekly sessions will be spread over 12 weeks and will be subject to the same attendance requirements and absence policies as the residential schools (see "More Details" section). |
---|---|
Click here to view all Residential Schools |
SOWK14009 - Field Education 2 (SOWK14009) is 16 weeks duration (560 hrs). Both placements occur in an agency approved by the University Field Education Coordinators and with supervision by a qualified social worker. Field education may be organised in international, metropolitan, urban, regional, rural and remote areas. Students must complete all units in accordance with pre-requisites,and undertake a successful interview with the Field Education Coordinator to determine placement readiness. Students must meet the inherent requirements for the course and successfully complete all necessary administrative / screening and legal obligations to undertake placement in organisational settings. |
SOWK13009 - Field placements are compulsory in Years 3 and 4 of the course, available during specified terms. Field Education 1 (SOWK13009) is 13 weeks duration (440 hrs). Both placements occur in an agency approved by the University Field Education Coordinators and with supervision by a qualified social worker. Field education may be organised in international, metropolitan, urban, regional, rural and remote areas. Students must complete all units in accordance with pre-requisites,and undertake a successful interview with the Field Education Coordinator to determine placement readiness. Students must meet the inherent requirements for the course and successfully complete all necessary administrative / screening and legal obligations to undertake placement in organisational settings. |
Year | Number of Students |
---|---|
2024 | 41 |
2023 | 68 |
2022 | 105 |
2021 | 170 |
2020 | 246 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course.
Mandatory health requirements may include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening.
Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.
Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance, NDIS and working with children check.
Other mandatory requirements include a student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules.
Course Learning Outcomes | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines and knowledge of research principles and methods | |||||||||
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge to identify and provide solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence | |||||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of a body of knowledge and theoretical concepts with advanced understanding in some areas | |||||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing new understanding | |||||||||
5. SKILLS Have technical skills to design and use research in a project | |||||||||
6. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences | |||||||||
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in professional practice and/or scholarship | |||||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | |||||||||
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | |||||||||
10. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Plan and execute project work and/or a piece of research and scholarship with some independence | |||||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 28 | Total credit points: 192 |
---|
Field placements are compulsory in Years 3 and 4 of the course, available during specified terms. Field Education 1 (SOWK13009) is 13 weeks duration (440 hrs). Field Education 2 (SOWK14009) is 16 weeks duration (560 hrs). Both placements occur in an agency approved by the University Field Education Coordinators and with supervision by a qualified social worker. Field education may be organised in international, metropolitan, urban, regional, rural and remote areas. Students must complete all units in accordance with pre-requisites,and undertake a successful interview with the Field Education Coordinator to determine placement readiness. Students must meet the inherent requirements for the course and successfully complete all necessary administrative / screening and legal obligations to undertake placement in organisational settings.
Year 1 Term 1
Available units | ||
---|---|---|
Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PSYC11008 | Biological Foundations of Psychology | |
SOCL11055 | Sociology of Australian Society | |
SOWK11014 | Contemporary Human Services | |
INDG11013 | First Nation and Non-Indigenous History: The Interface |
Year 1 Term 2
Available units | ||
---|---|---|
Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PSYC11009 | Fundamentals of Psychology 2: Psychological Literacy | |
SOWK11015 | Professional Communication in Human Services | |
SOWK11016 | Human Services and the Law |
And 1 other unit from across the University providing pre-requisites and co-requisites have been met.
Year 2 Term 1
Available units | ||
---|---|---|
Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOWK12008 | Theories of Change for Professional Practice I | |
SOWK12009 | Casework and Case Management | |
SOWK12012 | Organisational Practice | |
SOWK12013 | Contemporary Social Policy |
Year 2 Term 2
Available units | ||
---|---|---|
Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOCL19069 | Social Research Methods | |
SOWK12010 | Theories of Change for Professional Practice II | |
SOWK12011 | Social Group Work and Family Work | |
SOWK12014 | Ethical Professional Practice |
Year 3 Term 1
Available units | ||
---|---|---|
Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOWK13009 | Fieldwork Education 1 | |
SOWK13010 | Integrating Theory and Practice 1 |
Year 3 Term 2
Available units | ||
---|---|---|
Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOWK13011 | Community Practice | |
SOWK13012 | Professional Practice and Mental Health | |
SOWK13013 | Professional Practice with Children, Youth and Families | |
SOWK14004 | Reconciliation in the Workplace and Community |
Year 4 Term 1
Students must also complete (2) 6 credit point elective units offered by the University in addition to the compulsory units. Pre-requisite requirements for these units must be complied with.
Available units | ||
---|---|---|
Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOWK14005 | Advanced Direct Practice | |
SOWK14006 | Professional Leadership in Human Services |
Year 4 Term 2
Available units | ||
---|---|---|
Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOWK14009 | Fieldwork Education 2 | |
SOWK14010 | Integrating Theory and Practice 2 |
This course is in teach out mode and not accepting new enrolments
The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at CQUniversity offers you highly experienced teaching staff and excellent online resources, designed to guide and support you throughout the course.
Structure and assessment
Your learning is further supported by one on campus residential school per term. This combination of face-to-face learning and regular online activities will equip you with advanced level of skills including critical reflection, self-directed research and learning, problem solving and teamwork
The fourth year of the course has an embedded honours, and will prepare you should you wish to contribute to societal change through a professional career in social work research.
The final term of the four year course gives students an opportunity to combine both field education with research with the co required courses of Field Education and Theory and Practice. You are required to complete a total of 28 units.
Students should note that this is a course work honours degree and the Weighted Grade Point Average is based on the final two years of the course.
Flexibility
Benefit from the flexibility to study full-time or part-time and either on-campus or by distance education for first and second year. Choose from a number of elective units to individually tailor your learning to suit your professional needs.
Students can undertake 1 elective from any level or course within the University and 2 advanced electives from any course of 2nd year and above from any course within the University.
Residential
Students are required to attend a minimum of 20 days residential school attendance throughout the course.
On-campus learning and residential schools are compulsory, non-negotiable components of the course. If you are unable to attend these compulsory on-campus components, a course advisor can assist you with study and career options.
CQU campus residential school locations may vary from year to year and unit to unit and therefore students enrolling in the course should check the handbook and must be able to attend compulsory residential schools in order to meet the accreditation requirements of this entry level degree.
Honours Calculations
Honours classes are based on grades received for most units positioned in the final two years of the curriculum:
SOWK13010, SOWK13011, SOWK13012, SOWK13013, SOWK14004, SOWK14005, SOWK14006, TWO x electives, and SOWK14010.
However, the following units are removed from calculations:
SOWK13009 and SOWK14009 are not included as PNs are not counted
A second attempt at any of those units is not counted
A credit in from another institution for any of those units is not counted
A cross institutional enrolment in lieu of any of the above units is not counted.
Grades of P-HD are given numeric weightings of 1-7 and then divided by/averaged by the number of eligible units to be counted.
Honours Classes are then awarded based on:
First Class Honours in the range 85-100% (GPA ≥ 6.00)
Second Class Honours, Division A in the range 75-84% (GPA 5.50 to 5.99)
Second Class Honours, Division B in the range 65-74% (GPA 5.00 to 5.49)
third Class Honours in the range 50-64% (GPA 4.00 to 4.9)