courses

4504

Monash University

Undergraduate - Course

Students who commenced study in 2013 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 Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Managing facultyMedicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Abbreviated titleBSWelf
CRICOS code075115B
Total credit points required144
Standard duration of study (years)3 years FT, 6 years PT
Study mode and locationOn-campus (Berwick)
Admission, fee and application details http://www.monash.edu/study/coursefinder/course/4504
Contact details

Department of Social Work: telephone + 61 3 9904 7137; email welfare.berwick@monash.edu

Course coordinator

Dr Kerry Brydon

Notes

  • Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.
  • This course requires students to undertake off-campus placements.

Description

This course encompasses theory, skills development and supervised professional practice in th field of social welfare. The course includes opportunities for group-based learning, community engagement, practice research and integration of social welfare theory and practice. Students specialise in either child welfare or aged care during their final year of study. Social welfare skills components and professional practica introduce students to contemporary social welfare practice. The areas covered in the curriculum meet Australian Community Workers Association (AIWCW) accreditation requirements, including 400 hours of supervised professional practice. Graduates will be able to practice as professional social welfare workers in a range of human service fields.

Outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes. For more information refer to http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

  • enact the principles of social justice and human rights in their professional social welfare careers
  • seek leadership roles in the social welfare and human services sector
  • engage sensitively and confidently with individuals, groups and communities in local, national and international social welfare contexts
  • analyse ethical issues in practice
  • employ outstanding interpersonal skills for effective engagement and social action
  • practise in a way that respects diversity, especially when working with Indigenous Australians
  • critically analyse aspects of society, especially the impact of social, political and economic arrangements on individual and community wellbeing
  • incorporate knowledge of the social welfare system, the law and concepts of power and oppression into the social welfare approach
  • apply sophisticated knowledge of individual development, and the impact of key life events on individual wellbeing in social welfare practice
  • demonstrate competence in the theory and practice of social welfare assessment, intervention and evaluation with individuals, families, groups, communities and organisations in research and social policy analysis
  • execute practice decisions based on research and evidence
  • reflect critically on their practice

Special requirements

Students must refer to the information available on the special requirements outlined below. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they have the correct documentation.

Police checks

Students must have a current Police check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Information available at http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/police-checks.html.

Working with Children checks

Students must have a current Working with Children check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Information available at http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/wwc-check.html.

Fieldwork

This course requires students to undertake two separate clinical placements totalling 400 hours.

Professional recognition

Pending accreditation with the Australian Community Workers Association Inc (ACWA).

Structure

This course consists of compulsory units in years one and two, and a selection of core units in third year.

Requirements

Year 1

Semester one

  • ATS1369 Understanding university learning
  • ATS1840 Psychology and you
  • HSC1081 Foundations of public health
  • SWK1011 Introduction to human services practice

Semester two

  • ATS1251 Introduction to Indigenous Australian studies
  • ATS1359 Exploring human behaviour: An introduction to psychology
  • ATS1370 Knowledge and context
  • HSC1052 Health and social care systems

Year 2

Semester one

  • SWK2100 Social welfare practice with individuals
  • SWK2110 Social welfare and the law
  • SWK2120 Introduction to child welfare and aged care
  • SWK2130 Social welfare and society

Semester two

  • SWK2140 Social welfare and practice with communities
  • SWK2150 Social welfare and policy
  • SWK2160 Social welfare direct practice and skills 1

Year 3

Semester one

Students must complete one of the following options:

  • SWK3310 Social welfare practice and research, and SWK3320 Protection from child abuse, and SWK3330 Social welfare and practice with families and groups
  • SWK3330 Advanced child welfare practice, and SWK3340 Protection from elder abuse
  • SWK3350 Advanced aged care practice

Semester two

Students must complete one of the following options:

  • SWK3360 Social welfare direct practice and skills 2, and SWK3370 Social welfare and management, and SWK3380 Global issues in child welfare
  • SWK3390 Global issues in aged care

Award(s)

Bachelor of Social Welfare