Course code: 0004 + HECS fees applicable + Workshop attendance compulsory + Social Work is based at Caulfield campus
The
course provides a base for, and introduction to, the practice of social work at
interpersonal, group and broader societal levels. In the course, emphasis is
placed on students acquiring the knowledge and skill to successfully practice
in a wide variety of social work settings.
The course is offered by off-campus distributed learning (as well as on-campus
mode) in order to provide opportunities for those who previously had only
limited access to professionally recognised social work education.
The course is approved by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Ltd, and graduates are eligible for membership. Student membership is also available.
The
Bachelor of Social Work is available to:
(a) undergraduates who have successfully completed two years of a
university degree
(b) graduates from Monash University or other equivalent institutions
(c) diplomates who have completed the Associate Diploma of Arts (Welfare
Studies) at Monash University Gippsland campus or Caulfield campus, or
equivalent institution.
Please note that no credits can be given for units taken within a course which
is the entry requirement for the Bachelor of Social Work.
Undergraduates should have completed the equivalent of two years of a
university degree. Applicants should have studied social science units such as
sociology, anthropology, politics, economics, history, social theory,
psychology, and human development and behaviour.
Graduates may be admitted if they have qualified for a degree at Monash or
another university or equivalent institution, and the Faculty of Arts approves
the work completed for the degree as being a suitable preparation for
candidature. Studies must have included the study of the individual in society
and the study of society.
Selection takes account not only of academic achievements but also of personal
factors and a referee's report. Evidence of social work or welfare experience
(paid or voluntary) and other preparation for social work studies will also be
taken into consideration.
Applicants must be at least 19 years of age by the date of commencement of the
course. No upper age limit as such is fixed.
During
the course, student fieldwork placements are integrated with class work. The
aim of fieldwork placements is to provide students with the opportunity to
integrate knowledge and skills required in the academic component of the course
with the requirements of social work practice.
Students undertake placements in human service agencies and receive support and
supervision from qualified social workers. Fieldwork liaison staff from the
Department of Social Work remain in contact with students during placements.
The AASW stipulates that students should complete a minimum of 28 weeks of
fieldwork during their social work training. The fieldwork is split into two
placements - the first normally to be undertaken in year two, and the second in
year four of the part-time course.
This means that students will have to work full-time in an agency for
14 weeks in each of these two placements (part-time field placement of two
days per week over a longer period may be negotiated with the department).
Intending students are advised to give prior consideration as to how they will
accommodate fieldwork requirements with any personal commitments.
Two compulsory workshops are held per year, usually in February and June. The duration of the workshops are two-and-a-half days for part-time study, or five days for full-time study. The workshops are held during the week at Caulfield campus in Melbourne. The workshops enable students and staff to get to know each other, allow students to clarify theoretical and practice issues about the course and, most importantly, enable students to acquire social work skills and knowledge. Accordingly, the workshops are designed to ensure that students have face-to-face input from lecturers in all the units in which they are enrolled. (Students must meet their own travel and accommodation costs.)
The Bachelor of Social Work is offered over four years part-time or two years full-time by the off-campus distributed learning mode. Students must pass both academic work and fieldwork successfully before being awarded the degree of Bachelor of Social Work.
The sequence of the degree for off-campus distributed learning study is set out as follows:
First semester |
Second semester | |
Year 1 |
SWK3220
Social work in society |
SWK3120
Working with families and groups: theory and practice |
Year 2 |
SWK3250
Social work perspectives on human development |
SWK3180 Fieldwork skills and practicum I |
Year 3 |
SWK4410
Community work: theory and practice |
SWK4460
Critical and creative social work: theory and practice |
Year 4 |
SWK4430
Cross-cultural social work: theory and practice |
SWK4560 Fieldwork skills and practicum II |
As the Bachelor of Social Work is a professional qualification designed to build on prior tertiary education, credits will not be granted for units which are prerequisites of the course. However, applicants who have a second or higher degree, or who have completed part of a Bachelor of Social Work course at another institution, may apply for credit where the unit is comparable to the unit in the Bachelor of Social Work. Application for advanced standing forms are available from the department and must be accompanied with full documentation, including course outlines and content.
Assessment methods include written assignments, posted take-home examinations, group projects and submission of video and/or audio tapes.
For further information, contact the off-campus administration officer, Social Work, telephone (03) 9903 1136, email social.work@arts.monash.edu.au or visit our website at http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/social_work/.
Applications
must include the ´Social work 2002' application form, essays (as outlined
in the application form), and a confidential referee's report. Copies of the
´Social work' application form and referee's report form can be obtained
by telephoning the Off-Campus Office on (03) 9903 1136 or fax
(03) 9903 1153.
Completed applications are to be forwarded to Off-Campus Office, Social Work,
Monash University, Caulfield Campus, Victoria 3145, by 30 October 2001.
Late applications may be accepted, subject to available course places -
applicants should check with the department.
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