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Study in Humanities and Social Sciences
An exciting mix of study options, the potential for overseas study, independent research projects and work placements gives USC’s humanities and social sciences graduates a professional edge in the jobs market.
Students are spoilt for choice in this discipline, with study options ranging from arts, humanities, Australian studies, geography, history, and Indigenous studies to counselling, social work, human services, psychology, sociology, regional and urban planning, politics and international relations.
Programs feature opportunities to get valuable hands-on experience from work placements, take advantage of the GO (Global Opportunities) Program, and be involved in stimulating research projects.
A recently negotiated work placement program will see USC postgraduate counselling students given the chance to do hands-on clinical training with Centacare Catholic Family and Community Services.
Under this new agreement, Master of Counselling Practice and Master of Counselling students will undertake 200 hours of supervised client work in Centacare’s family therapy service.\
The GO Program, which allows students to study overseas in one of USC’s 70 partner universities in Asia, Europe, North Central and South America, has also recently been expanded. Students now have the opportunity to undertake work placements in South Africa, Ecuador and the USA, working in areas such as environmental science, primate research, climate change and tourism. Students reap the rewards of an overseas travel experience, gain language and life skills and earn credit towards their degree.
The GO Program is an ideal choice for Bachelor of International Studies students learning about other cultures, languages and systems of government. In this degree, students can also incorporate international business or language studies.
Experienced academic staff members are on hand to guide students wishing to embark on a research project. Supervised projects could involve anything from the impacts of iPhones and social networking to understanding the needs of homeless families with children.
The jobs outlook is positive for students completing degrees in social work, counselling, and human services, particularly in the areas of child protection and aged services. Policy development is a key area for jobseekers in these fields.
There are also opportunities for social workers with Queensland Health. The health department employs social workers in the areas of mental health, community health, family and child welfare, aged care, palliative care, maternal health, paediatrics, emergency departments and rehabilitation.
The Sunshine Coast University Hospital, which will open at Kawana in 2016, will include an emergency department, paediatrics, maternity service, rehabilitation service and a mental health unit.
For Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning graduates, Job Outlook predicts steady jobs growth to 2016.
Urban and regional planners develop and implement plans and policies for the controlled use of urban and rural land, and advise on economic, environmental and social factors affecting land use.
Employment can be found in a range of industries, including public administration and safety; professional, scientific and technical services; transport, postal and warehousing; and rental, hiring and real estate services.
With Queensland Police Service input, USC’s Bachelor of Justice and Legal Studies allows students to gain an authentic view of social problems that relate to law, justice and crime. The degree is a recognised pathway to careers in police and corrective services, security, and paralegal.
For students wanting flexibility, USC’s Bachelor of Arts offers a broad range of study options in arts, humanities and social sciences which can be tailored to suit individual interests. An arts degree can act as a springboard to further study, such as a graduate diploma in education or business administration.
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