Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Course

This course prepares graduates for competent and ethical community welfare practice. The associate 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. Emphasis is placed on the practical and vocational elements of professional practice.

Students complete a structured sequence in community welfare and counselling, and two practice placements in community and human service organisations. The study program focuses on counselling, group work and community development.

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 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, casework and case management and community development.

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 five compulsory units, a major sequence in community welfare and counselling and two electives.

Students complete the following:

(a.) a prescribed sequence in community welfare and counselling (54 points):

• ATS1361 Governing inequality: Foundations of social welfare provision
• ATS1362 Interpersonal practice and counselling skills
• ATS1363 Counselling and group work skills
• ATS2713 Field education and practice
• ATS2822 Advanced counselling and case management
• ATS2823 Community development
• ATS2825 Social issues and personal values
• ATS2850 Human services management and practice

(b.) three compulsory supporting units at level one (18 points):

• ATS1251 Introduction to Indigenous Australian studies
• ATS1360 Developmental psychology: Behaviour across the lifespan
• ATS1367 Sociological reflections on everyday life

(c.) ATS1369 Understanding university learning, and one first-year elective (12 points)

(d.) one compulsory supporting unit at level two from the following (6 points):

• ATS2364 Indigenous Australian politics and activism
• ATS2367 Australian Indigenous women
• ATS2369 Indigenous Australian human rights
• ATS2737 Social justice

(e.) a further 6 points in arts at level two

On successful completion of this course, students may be eligible to apply for entry to one of the following courses:

• 1731 Bachelor of Community Welfare and Counselling
• 1806 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Community Welfare and Counselling
• 1802 Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) and Bachelor of Community Welfare and Counselling
• 1798 Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Bachelor of Community Welfare and Counselling
• 4075 Bachelor of Community Welfare and Counselling and Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol, Other Drugs and Mental Health)
• 4076 Bachelor of Community Welfare and Counselling and Diploma of Disability

Associate Degree of Community Welfare and Counselling