Monash University: University Handbooks: Distance Education 2001: Subjects indexed by faculty
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Bachelor of Social Welfare


General information

Course code: 1731 Gippsland campus HECS fees applicable Attendance compulsory for some units

Aims

The Bachelor of Social Welfare offers an educational program that equips students for ethical and competent social welfare practice in a changing social and political environment. The degree program develops students' understanding of the skills and knowledge required for intervention in different fields of practice, as well as advanced theoretical analysis and application of welfare practice from a management perspective.

Professional recognition

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

Entry requirements

All applicants should satisfy the university's minimum entry requirements as outlined in the section on entry requirements in this book.
In addition to meeting standard entry requirements, all applicants are required to complete a social welfare course administration form. If you did not receive this form with the distance education handbook, then it can be obtained from the Course Inquiries Centre, telephone 1800 671845, or from the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences on (03) 9902 6339 or (03) 5122 6339. 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.

Special requirements

Attendance

Students must be aware of the attendance requirements for certain social welfare units, and should take the cost of this into account before applying for entry to the course.
Students in the Bachelor of Social Welfare must attend the Gippsland campus for two residential workshops during the course, involving one two-day workshop and one three-day workshop. Students will also be required to undertake a 16-day placement in the second year and a 60-day field education placement during the fifth year.
Classes will be held in most units at each weekend school. Normally, this will include lectures and seminars or tutorials. Attendance at weekend school classes is recommended but not compulsory for the completion of most units offered by the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences.

PC requirement

It is strongly recommended that students have access to a computer to successfully complete this course.

Course structure

The course of study is normally six years part-time by distance education. In order to meet the requirements for the Bachelor of Social Welfare degree, students must complete:
(a) four core units (24 points) - GSC1201 (Sociological reflections on everyday life), GSC1202 (Sociological issues), AIS1010 (Introduction to Australian Indigenous societies), and GSC1601 (Basic statistics and computing for social sciences) or GSC1602 (Introduction to methods of social research)
(b) a prescribed sequence of 13 units in social welfare (96 points)
(c) a total of 144 points (21 units).
It is recommended that students use their elective units to complete an arts minor in one of community studies, Koorie studies, psychology or sociology.

Unit sequence

The sequence of units for distance education students in the Bachelor of Social Welfare is set out below:

First semester

Second semester

Year 1

GSC1201 Sociological reflections on everyday life
GSC1303 Foundations of interpersonal practice: casework and groupwork

GSC1202 Sociological issues
GSC1304 Communications and counselling skills

Year 2

GSC1306 Introduction to understanding human behaviour*
AIS1010 Introduction to Australian Indigenous societies

GSC1305 Human services organisational practice
GSC1307 Human behaviour across the lifespan*

Year 3

GSC2303 Case management theory and practice
Arts elective (first-level or upper level)

First-level core unit#
GSC2311 Social welfare issues

Year 4

GSC2304 Community development
Arts elective

GSC2310 Social policy: developing the links
Arts elective

Year 5

GSC3306 Field education and practice (full-year unit)
GSC3307 Human services management and practice

GSC3303 Insights into practice

Year 6

Arts elective

GSC3304 Paradigms of practice


* STUDENTS WISHING TO COMPLETE A PSYCHOLOGY MINOR MUST REPLACE GSC1306 AND GSC1307 WITH PSY1011 PSYCHOLOGY IA AND PSY1022 PSYCHOLOGY IB. SEE NOTE UNDER INITIAL ENROLMENT BELOW RELATING TO THE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR UNITS.
# STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO SELECT EITHER GSC1601 OR GSC1602 AS THEIR FIRST-LEVEL CORE UNIT. STUDENTS WHO INTEND TO UNDERTAKE STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY ARE ADVISED TO TAKE GSC1602 RATHER THAN GSC1601 AS THEIR RESEARCH METHODS CORE UNIT, AS GSC1601 AND PSY2051 ARE A PROHIBITED COMBINATION.

Minor studies

Students in the Bachelor of Social Welfare may elect to complete a minor sequence from:

Details of what each discipline involves are contained in the entry for the Bachelor of Arts. Students may elect to complete a minor in psychology, in which case they will need to complete first-level psychology units instead of the human behaviour units in their initial enrolment.

Initial enrolment

Students entering the degree will enrol in the following program:

First semester

Second semester

Note

The human behaviour units 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 units are offered at level-one only.

Credits/exemptions

Candidates who have successfully completed approved tertiary studies (either at Monash or elsewhere) may receive credit in respect of equivalent studies at the university. It is the responsibility of the applicant to supply full details of the content of units for which credit is sought, plus official verification that these units have been successfully completed. As a general rule, specific credits will not be granted for studies completed more than 10 years prior to the date of enrolment in the current course. Relevant vocational experience may also be credited. Students are advised to seek information from the administrative officer.

Further information

For more detailed information, contact the administrative officers, School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences, telephone (03) 5122 6339 or (03) 9902 6339, email humass.info@arts.monash.edu.au

Completed applications

Completed applications are to be forwarded to the Admissions Officer, School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences, Monash University Gippsland Campus, Churchill, Victoria 3842, by 22 September 2000 to be considered for a first-round offer.

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