Objectives
On completion of their course students are expected to have developed:
the ability to integrate theory drawn from several disciplines and understand its relevance for and application in practice;
an understanding and acceptance of the values of welfare work, and an appreciation of the intrinsic importance of an ethical base for practice;
the skills of competent welfare work practice, based on the ability to analyse situations, assess and apply an appropriate professional response, and evaluate the outcome;
generic skills in written, oral and interpersonal communication with a range of audiences;
the ability to contribute critically to the development and performance of organisational and professional responses to social need in a changing social and political environment.
Entry requirements
In addition to meeting standard entry requirements all applicants are required to complete a Social Welfare Course Administration form. This form can be obtained from the student administration office, Monash University Gippsland campus and must be returned by 23 September 1994. Applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of information contained in this form, for a more detailed selection process. Applicants are strongly advised that academic criteria are not the only ones for entry into the course. Other factors such as work experience and life experience, personal qualities and maturity, are taken into account.
All students will enrol in the three-year degree program (or six years by distance education), but it will be possible after one year for mature-age students to elect to complete the associate diploma only, involving a further one year full-time study (or a further three years study by distance education).
Course structure and sequence
Associate Diploma of Arts (Social Welfare)
A candidate for the associate diploma must fulfil the following requirements to receive the award of Associate Diploma of Arts (Social Welfare):
(a) complete a total of sixteen subjects (ninety-six points);
(b) complete the prescribed social welfare program as set out in this handbook;
(c) undertake additional subjects to complete the sixteen subjects (ninety-six points) needed for the award.
The course of study is a minimum of two years full-time or four years part-time or by distance education and normally cannot extend beyond seven years.
Bachelor of Social Welfare
A candidate for the degree must fulfil the following requirements to receive the award of Bachelor of Social Welfare:
(a) complete a total of twenty-four subjects (144 points);
(b) complete the prescribed social welfare program and one minor sequence from within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. A minor sequence shall require four subjects (twenty-four points) of study and will comprise two successive parts, being either a first-year sequence followed by two second level subjects, or two second-level subjects followed by two third-level subjects;
(c) undertake additional subjects to complete the twenty-four subjects (144 points) needed for the degree.
In addition to the social welfare sequence, students will complete a minor from one of the following disciplines or interdisciplinary areas: English, gender studies, mass communications, psychology or sociology.
The course of study is a minimum of three years full-time or six years part-time or by distance education and normally cannot extend beyond ten years.
The sequence of subjects for full-time and distance education study is set out below.
Sequence for on-campus students enrolling from 1994 onwards to complete the Bachelor of Social Welfare
Level one (1994)
First semester
* GSC1306 Behavioural studies A*
* GSC1201 Introduction to sociology A
* GSC1301 Welfare issues
* GSC1303 Welfare methods IA
Second semester
* GSC1307 Behavioural studies B*
* GSC1202 Introduction to sociology B
* GSC1304 Welfare methods IB
* GSC1305 Welfare organisational practice I
Level two (1995)
First semester
* GSC1801 Introduction to Koorie society
* GSC2303 Welfare methods IIA
* GSC2602 Basic statistics and computing for social research
* Free elective
Second semester
* GSC1402 Media studies
* GSC2304 Welfare methods IIB
* GSC1502 Australian politics
* GSC2601 Methods of social research
Level three (1996)
First semester
* GSC2514 Public and social policy
* GSC3303 Welfare methods IIIA
* GSC3306 Field education (credit value 2.0-12 points)
Second semester
* GSC2307 Welfare organisational practice II
* GSC3304 Welfare methods IIIB
* Minor study
* Minor study
* The behavioural studies subjects are provided to give an introduction to human behaviour which is particularly tailored to those students intending to proceed in the social welfare field. These subjects are offered at level one only. Those students wishing to complete a minor in psychology will need to complete the general level one psychology subjects listed below:
* GAS1050 Introduction to psychology A
* GAS1502 Introduction to psychology B
Sequence for on-campus mature-age students to complete the Associate Diploma of Arts (Social Welfare)
Mature-age students opting to complete the Associate Diploma of Arts (Social Welfare) will complete the first year of the Bachelor of Social Welfare as above, and will then study the following subjects to complete after two years:
First semester
* GSC2514 Public and social policy
* GSC2303 Welfare methods IIA
* Free elective
* Free elective
Second semester
* GSC2307 Welfare organisational practice II
* GSC2304 Welfare methods IIB
* GSC2306 Field education (credit value 2.0 - 12 points)
Students currently enrolled in the associate diploma will also follow the above program.
Sequence for part-time or distance education students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Welfare from 1994 onwards
Level one
First semester
* GSC1306 Behavioural studies A
* GSC1201 Introduction to sociology A
Second semester
* GSC1307 Behavioural studies B
* GSC1202 Introduction to sociology B
Level two
First semester
* GSC1303 Welfare methods IA
* Minor study/free elective
Second semester
* GSC1305 Welfare organisational practice I
* GSC1502 Australian politics
Level three
First semester
* GSC1301 Welfare issues
* GSC2514 Public and social policy
Second semester
* GSC1304 Welfare methods IB
* Minor study
Level four
First semester
* GSC2303 Welfare methods IIA
* GSC2602 Basic computing and statistics for social research
Second semester
* GSC2304 Welfare methods IIB
* GSC2601 Methods of social research
Level five
First semester
* GSC3306 Field education (full-year subject)
* GSC3303 Welfare methods IIIA
Second semester
* GSC1402 Media studies
Level six
First semester
* GSC1801 Introduction to Koorie society
* Minor study/free elective
Second semester
* GSC2307 Welfare organisational practice II
* GSC3304 Welfare methods IIIB
The focus of group learning has shifted from weekend schools in Gippsland to the student's own locality, and university staff will facilitate the establishment and maintenance of such area student groups.
Current students will complete the course under their present arrangements.