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

Bachelor of Social Work

Course code: 0004 + Department of Social Work, Caulfield campus + HECS fees applicable + Workshop attendance compulsory

Aims

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 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.

Professional recognition

The course is approved by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Ltd, and graduates are eligible for membership. Student membership is also available.

Entry requirements

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 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.

Special requirements

Fieldwork

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.

On-campus workshops

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.)

Course structure

The Bachelor of Social Work is offered over four years part-time or two years full-time by the off-campus learning mode. Students must pass both academic work and fieldwork successfully before being awarded the degree of Bachelor of Social Work.

Course plan

The sequence of the degree for off-campus learning is set out as follows:

Advanced standing for previous study

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

Assessment consists of written assignments, posted take-home examinations, group projects and submission of video and/or audio tapes.

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