Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Social Work

Course code: 3870 + Course abbreviation: BHlthSc/BSW + Total credit points required: 192 + 4 years full-time, 8 years part-time + Managing faculty: Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Peninsula)

Course description

This double degree course allows students to qualify with both the Bachelor of Health Science and Bachelor of Social Work degrees.This course provides students who are interested in a career in social work with an overview of health concepts and the health and social care system in which they will be practising. Although the course is principally intended to prepare graduates for a career in social work, the health science major sequence completed by all students also provides a grounding in health promotion and community capacity building.

Course objectives

A graduate of the BHSc/BSW course will demonstrate the generic attributes expected of a Monash University graduate, including a broad and critical understanding of knowledge, intellectual and cultural curiosity, and a range of skills such as computing skills, problem solving and interpersonal skills and general and discipline-specific communication skills. These attributes will be developed in the context of a broad introduction to health sciences and health professions.

The educational objectives have been classified according to professional, personal and social outcomes, such that, on successful completion of the BHSc/BSW, it is expected that the student will be able to:

+ Professionally: demonstrate the knowledge, skills and technical competency appropriate for an entry level practitioner in social work; be prepared to maintain high standards in their professional life through a commitment to lifelong learning; be aware of the latest advances in their field - and related fields - and be positioned to engage in research and the expanding knowledge base; value research and be skilled at accessing, critically appraising and applying the best available evidence to their everyday practice; be effective users of relevant technology; understand and show respect for the roles of other professionals and be able to work collaboratively within their discipline and as part of a multidisciplinary team; demonstrate the knowledge and skills to practice safely and in an ethical manner in relation to their clients and the community; be client-centred in their approach, respecting the right of clients and their support networks to participate in decision-making; demonstrate awareness of the International Classification Framework (WHO 2001) for the domains of health which include: activities and participation, body structures and functions, personal and environmental factors; have the capacity to supervise, manage and take responsibility, as appropriate, when working in collaboration with other professionals, students, clients and their support networks.
+ Personally: achieve a broad education with a tolerance for ambiguity and differing views; be reflective and compassionate, with a concern for issues of equity, equality, humanity and social justice; have the ability to learn independently and be innovative in their approach to analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving and evaluation; be able to effectively and efficiently communicate with other professionals, clients and the public; possess appropriate oral, written and IT skills, including the ability to present coherent argument, negotiate effectively and manage conflict.
+ Socially: demonstrate awareness of the social, ethical, economic, political and environmental context of illness, health and well-being; be committed to the health of populations as well as individuals and be proactive in prevention-oriented practice and health promotion; understand the social and ethical dimensions of professional activities; integrate knowledge of relevant public policy and health and social care systems into their practice; be able to work effectively with a diverse range of people and settings.

Special requirements

Police checks

Organisations that host field/community placements require students to have a current police check regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they will be required to obtain and pay for a police check prior to undertaking the clinical placements in this course. Police checks need to be renewed annually. However in some community partnered programs there may be a requirement to have a police check renewed every six months.

Health requirements

In order to meet health requirements for working in the healthcare facilities and for the protection of other students, and themselves, students may need to comply with certain precautionary procedures. These may consist of confidential tests for immune status (including blood tests and skin tests), receiving vaccines and having x-rays where the evidence indicates that these are appropriate.

Vaccinations

The faculty recommends that all students accept responsibility for having up-to-date immunisations before commencing this course. Recommended immunisations include diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis and hepatitis B.

Course structure

Course requirements

The normal pattern of study is for students to study 24 points per semester. Depending on the point value of units, this may equate to three or four units per semester, or in semesters where a field placement is undertaken, this is reduced to two units plus the placement.

The course is undertaken in the following sequence:

the first year is comprised of health science units only
the second year is comprised of five health science units and three social work units
the third year includes three health science units (that complete the health science major sequence); the remainder are social work units (including the first field placement)
the final year is comprised of social work units only, including the second field placement.

All units are compulsory core units.

First year

Semester 1

HSC1031 Foundations of health
HSC1041 Health sociology
HSC1051 Working with people
HSC1061 Introduction to research in health science

Semester 2

HSC1052 Health and social care systems
HSC1062 Mind and body
HSC1072 Health promotion 1

Second year

Semester 1

HSC2031 Epidemiology and public health
HSC2061 Legal and ethical frameworks
SWK3220 Social work in society
SWK3230 Social work research

Semester 2

HSC2042 Population health and diversity
HSC2062 Communicating health
SRH2002 Indigenous health and well-being
SWK3260 Social policy and social justice 1

Third Year

Semester 1

HSC2051 Health promotion 2
HSC3011 Contemporary health challenges
SWK3240 Working with individuals: theory and practice
SWK3250 Social work perspectives on human development

Semester 2

HSC3032 Community partnerships and capacity building
SWK3120 Working with families and groups: theory and practice
SWK3180 Fieldwork skills and practicum 1

Fourth year

Semester 1

SWK4410 Community work: theory and practice
SWK4420 The individual, health and society
SWK4430 Cross-cultural social work: theory and practice
SWK4440 Social work management: theory and practice

Semester 2

SWK4450 Social policy and social justice II
SWK4460 Critical and creative social work theory and practice
SWK4560 Fieldwork skills and practicum II

Contact details

Telephone: +61 3 9904 4466 , email: healthsciences@med.monash.edu.au or visit www.med.monash.edu.au/healthsciences/

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