courses

4075

18 September 2017 20 April 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Course

Students who commenced study in 2012 should refer to this course entry for direction on the requirements; to check which units are currently available for enrolment, refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course.

print version

This course entry should be read in conjunction with information provided in the 'Faculty information' section of this Handbook by the Faculty of Arts

Managing facultyArts
Abbreviated titleBCWC/DCS(AOD&MH)
Total credit points required144
Standard duration of study (years)3 years FT, 6 years PT
Study mode and locationOn-campus (Gippsland)
Admission, fee and application details http://www.monash.edu/study/coursefinder/course/4075
Contact details

http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/current/coursework/contact_us/

Notes

  • Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the handbook are not available for study in the current year.
  • Students study a total of three years full-time, combining the Monash University and TAFE components. Students have a maximum of eight years to complete this course.
  • This course has compulsory off-campus placement requirements. In addition, off-campus students must attend Gippsland campus for two residential workshops during the course, involving one two-day workshop and one three-day workshop. Psychology units also require compulsory attendance at least at one weekend school per unit per semester. Studies in the Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol, Other Drugs and Mental Health) component are taken at the Gippsland TAFE.

Description

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, family support, homelessness, community corrections, youth justice, community development, aged care, family violence, alcohol and other drugs 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, criminal justice or sociology, and a specialisation in disability through GippsTAFE.

The completion of the diploma meets the professional requirement of the Victorian Department of Human Services for its employees working in this field.

Students receive both of awards from the respective institutions upon successful completion of the program.

Outcomes

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, high-level interpersonal skills, skills in critical thinking and problem-solving, specialist skills and knowledge including counselling, advocacy and education/health promotion as they relate to working with clients with alcohol, drug and mental health issues.

Fieldwork

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

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) and the Diploma meets the professional requirement of the Victorian Department of Human Services for its employees working in this field.

Structure

This course consists of a community welfare and counselling sequence, four compulsory units and additional studies in arts. Students also undertake a alcohol, other drugs and mental health specialisation which is undertaken through GippsTAFE in flexible online mode. Students must complete 126 points in the Bachelor of Community Welfare and Counselling, and nine modules in the Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol, Other Drugs and Mental Health) component, equivalent to 18 points.

Requirements

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 groupwork skills
  • ATS2822 Advanced counselling and case management
  • ATS2823 Community development
  • ATS2825 Social issues and personal values
  • ATS3848 Insights into practice
  • ATS3713 Field education and practice (12 points)
  • ATS3850 Human services management and practice
  • ATS3851 Social policy

(b.) two compulsory supporting units (12 points):

  • ATS1251 Introduction to Australian Indigenous studies
  • ATS1367 Sociological reflections on everyday life

(c.) two compulsory supporting unit at second level (12 points):

  • ATS2260 Developmental psychology: Behaviour across the lifespan*

Plus one of:

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

(d.) a TAFE Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol, Other Drugs and Mental Health) specialisation comprising nine modules (18 points)

(e.) further arts units to complete a total of 144 points, including the following:

  • at least one minor in the available disciplines listed under 'Areas of study'
  • 18 points of first-year-level units (which includes first-year level from minor) 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.

* Students who choose to complete a minor in psychology must replace ATS2260 Developmental Psychology with PSY2031 Developmental and biological psychology.

Note: Psychological studies units are tailored to those students intending to proceed in community welfare and counselling, but some students may wish to undertake units in Psychology (APAC accredited) instead. Students who are interested in completing a minor in either of these disciplines must ensure they complete the first-year sequence.

Areas of Study

Available minor disciplines

First-year units

Award(s)

Bachelor of Community Welfare and Counselling