Undergraduate courses and subjects 2000 - Bachelor of Social Welfare

Bachelor of Social Welfare

General information
Entry requirements
Professional recognition
Course structure
- Arts minor sequences
Sequence for on-campus students
Group learning

General information

Course code: 1731
The Bachelor of Social Welfare is designed to prepare graduates for work in a wide variety of welfare situations, both urban and rural. The course teaches a broad range of skills and develops appropriate values and attitudes in working with individuals, families, groups and communities in crisis or development. Theoretical perspectives and skills are integrated in practice through the course's field placements.

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 School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences. Applicants will be short-listed 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.

Professional recognition

This course is recognised by the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers.

Course structure

A candidate for the degree must fulfil the following requirements to receive the award of Bachelor of Social Welfare:
(a) complete at least 144 but not more than 162 points
(b) complete the prescribed social welfare subjects and complete an arts minor sequence from within the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences. A minor sequence normally requires the completion of 28 points, comprising a first-level sequence followed by two second-level subjects. Minors may be chosen from community studies, Koorie studies, sociology or psychology. A minor sequence requires the completion of 28 points, normally comprising a first-level sequence followed by two second-level subjects.
(c) undertake additional subjects to complete the 144 points needed for the degree.

Arts minor sequences

Arts minor sequences may be chosen from community studies, Koorie studies, psychology or sociology.

Sequence for on-campus students

Level 1

First semester

· GSC1306 Introduction to understanding human behaviour*
· GSC1201 Sociological reflections on everyday life
· GSC1303 Foundations of interpersonal practice: casework and groupwork
· GSC1801 Introduction to Koorie society

Second semester

· GSC1202 Sociological issues
· GSC1301 Social welfare issues
· GSC1304 Communication and counselling skills
· GSC1305 Human services organisational practice

Level 2

First semester

· GSC2303 Case management theory and practice
· elective
· GSC2304 Community development
· GSC1601 Basic statistics and computing for social research

Second semester

· GSC1307 Human behaviour across the lifespan*
· GSC2310 Social policy: developing the links
· GSC1602 Introduction to methods of social research or elective

* THE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR SUBJECTS ARE PROVIDED TO GIVE AN INTRODUCTION TO UNDERSTANDING OUR BEHAVIOUR WHICH IS PARTICULARLY TAILORED TO THOSE STUDENTS INTENDING TO PROCEED IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIELD. THESE SUBJECTS ARE OFFERED AT LEVEL 1 ONLY. THOSE STUDENTS WISHING TO COMPLETE A MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE GENERAL LEVEL 1 PSYCHOLOGY SUBJECTS PSY1011 (PSYCHOLOGY 1A) AND PSY1022 (PSYCHOLOGY 1B). INSTEAD OF GSC1306 (UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOUR) AND GSC1307 (HUMAN BEHAVIOUR ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN).

Level 3

First semester

· GSC3307 Human services management and practice
· GSC3306 Field education (credit value 16 points)

Second semester

· GSC3303 Insights into practice
· GSC3304 Paradigms of practice
· elective

Group learning

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 study groups.
Current students will complete the course under their present arrangements.