Off-Campus Learning Guide 2004
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Social Work

Course code: 3426 + Course fees: HECS fees applicable (Australian residents)

Aims

This course is aimed at students who wish to qualify as professional social workers and who also wish to complete an arts degree. Students can enter the double degree after completing their VCE, although it is anticipated that many applicants will be mature age, some with experience in welfare. Graduates obtain work in family welfare, hospital social work, child protection and drug and alcohol counselling etc.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have completed their VCE or equivalent and complete a BA/BSW application form. The form is available from the off-campus administration officer, telephone (03) 9903 1136 or email social.work@med.monash.edu.au, or from the Monash University website. Selection takes account not only of academic achievements but also of references, the applicant's knowledge of social work and voluntary or paid experience in welfare.

Special requirements

In years 3 and 4 of the BA/BSW, students will be required to undertake a 14-week field placement in each year. These placements are a requirement of the accrediting body, the Australian Association of Social Workers, and provide an opportunity to develop social work skills in practice. Placements may be offered in a wide variety of human service agencies in Australia and in some instances overseas. Placements may be undertaken part time, however 28 weeks in total must be undertaken during the degree.

Compulsory attendance requirements

Students will not be required to attend classes during the first two years (full-time) of the BA/BSW depending on unit requirements. In each of years 3 and 4, attendance at two compulsory workshops is required. These workshops are held in February and June for five days at the Caulfield campus. All students will be required to attend 20 days of workshops during the degree - full-time students attend four five-day workshops and part-time students attend eight two-and-a-half-day workshops.

Course structure

Students complete an arts major, an arts minor and two arts sequence units. Students must complete at least one year of studies of the individual, eg psychology or behavioural studies, and at least one year of studies of society, eg sociology, history, economics, political science, anthropology. These studies should also include some studies of the history of Indigenous Australians. A course map is outlined below (see Table A). Applicants should complete their unit choices at the time they apply. These will then be checked by the Social Work department. Queries relating to the BA may be directed to the course advisers at Gippsland campus on (03) 9902 6339. Queries relating to social work units may be directed to the social work off-campus administration officer on (03) 9903 1136.
Applicants may choose their arts major and minor from the range of arts units so long as they meet the requirements relating to studies of the individual and society (see 10 above).

Initial enrolment

Unit offerings are available under Bachelor of Arts.

Assessment/examinations

Assessment requirements are spelt out under the arts units. Assessment in social work units involves assignments, take-home examinations, and role-plays or other practical assessments undertaken in workshops (see BSW entry in this book).

Advanced standing for previous study

Advanced standing may be granted for previous study undertaken at university, including open learning and TAFE. An application form for advanced standing is included at the back of this book. This form should be forwarded with your application.

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