Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Course

This accredited course equips students for competent and ethical community welfare and counselling practice. The degree develops skills and knowledge for intervention across a range of practice fields, including (but not limited to): counselling, child protection, disability, family support, homelessness, community corrections, youth justice, community development, aged care, family violence and research and policy analysis. The study program includes case management and human services practice from a management perspective.

Students complete a structured sequence in community welfare and counselling, and two practice placements in community development and human service organisations. The study program focuses on counselling, group work, community development, social policy and emancipatory practice. Students will also take an arts minor in Australian Indigenous studies, community studies, psychological studies, psychology or sociology.

At the completion of the course students will have developed values, skills and knowledge appropriate to working with individuals, families, groups and communities at interpersonal, group, organisational and government levels. Graduates of this course will be qualified for employment in a wide variety of urban and rural, community and social welfare positions, in a range of fields, such as interpersonal and group counselling, crisis intervention, research and policy, casework and case management, community development, and management of human services organisations. The course also establishes a sound academic base for further study at postgraduate level.

Students are required to undertake a 16-day field education placement and a 60-day field placement during this course.

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

This course consists of a community welfare and counselling sequence, four compulsory units and additional studies in arts.

Students complete:

(a.) a community welfare and counselling sequence (66 points) comprising the following:

• ATS1361 Governing inequality: Foundations of social welfare provision
• ATS1362 Interpersonal practice and counselling skills
• ATS1363 Counselling and group work skills
• ATS2822 Advanced counselling and case management
• ATS2823 Community development
• ATS2825 Social issues and personal values
• ATS3713 Field education and practice (12 points)
• ATS3848 Insights into practice
• ATS3850 Human services management and practice
• ATS3851 Social policy

(b.) three compulsory supporting units (18 points):

• ATS1251 Introduction to Australian Indigenous societies
• ATS1360 Behaviour across the lifespan
• ATS1367 Sociological reflections on everyday life

(c.) one compulsory supporting unit at second level (6 points):

• ATS2364 Activism, politics and Indigenous Australia
• ATS2367 Australian Indigenous women
• ATS2369 Human rights and the Indigenous Australian experience
• ATS2737 Social justice

(d.) a further 54 points in arts*, comprising:

(i.) at least one minor in the available disciplines listed under 'Areas of study'

(ii.) 12 points of first-year level units selected from the disciplines listed under 'Areas of study'

Students must complete a minimum of 36 points at third-year level.

No more than 10 units (60 points) are to be completed at a first-year level.

*It is recommended that students complete an arts major or two minors.

Areas of Study

Available minor disciplines

• Australian Indigenous studies
• psychological studies
• psychology (ARTS)
• sociology

First-year units

• Australian studies
• Australian Indigenous studies
• communications
• community studies
• history-politics
• journalism
• philosophy
• psychological studies
• psychology
• sociology
• writing

Bachelor of Community Welfare and Counselling