Give others the tools to make positive change in their lives.
This program is politically progressive, grounded in critical, anti-racist and pro-feminist theoretical approaches. Using innovative teaching to build your capacity and commitment to anti-oppressive practice, you’ll be well-prepared for work in social justice and community welfare upon completion.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2023 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie. Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs.
- * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie. Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs.
This program is politically progressive, grounded in critical, anti-racist and pro-feminist theoretical approaches. Using innovative teaching to build your capacity and commitment to anti-oppressive practice, you’ll be well-prepared for work in social justice and community welfare upon completion.
Gain exposure to the theory and values base of human services practice, and develop practical skills to ensure your success. You’ll extend your understanding of the nature of contemporary society, individual, family and community behaviour; critically analyse social problems, and learn about social welfare arrangements in Australia.
Focus your studies in a specialist area through your chosen electives and be offered work integrated learning opportunities, to gain real world experience. Two separate field education placements in human services agencies are arranged for students, providing a total of 500 hours placement experience. These placements are designed to meet the requirements of the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety Services.
At the end of your degree, choose from careers in community agencies, government organisations and the private sector and apply for membership with the Australian Community Workers Association.
Post-admission requirements
Students are required to complete two field education placements at approved agencies. A Blue Card (CCYPCG) and criminal history check is required — refer to Requirements for field education.
Career opportunities
Child safety officer, case manager, disability services worker, youth worker, families support worker, community development worker, community corrections officer.
Membership
This program is accredited with the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA), with which students and graduates are entitled to apply for membership.
Program structure
Introductory courses (6)
COR109 Communication and Thought
COU180 Introductory Counselling Skills
SCS101 Foundations of Human Behaviour
SCS110 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS172 Social Work and Human Services Practice
Advanced courses (12)
COU276 Group Processes and Practice
SCS201 International Community Development and Global Justice
SCS235 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS251 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People
SCS273 Human Services Placement 1(24 units)
SCS274 Human Services Placement 2(24 units)
SCS277 Working with Children, Youth and Families
SCS278 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
SWK302 Community Development and Social Action
SWK303 Complexity and Social Work: Group-Based Approaches
Select 2 required courses from:
INT140 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
SCS210 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCS225 Social Research
SCS230 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS285 Health and Mental Health in Australia
SCS286 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
SCS290 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SCS295 Gender and Culture
Elective courses (4)
Select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
The School of Social Sciences recommends students use these electives towards a minor from those listed below:
- Australian Studies
- Comparative Studies
- Criminology
- Development Studies
- Geography
- Indigenous Studies
- Politics and International Relations
- Public Policy
- Sociology
- Sustainability
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course
In order to commence field education placement you must:
- Hold a valid Blue Card, throughout the duration of your program, which is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). You should allow 12 weeks for CCYPCG to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card will be unable to complete the field education component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements
- Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority)
- Travel to attend field education placements
- Please note, while all endeavours will be made to place students in a given semester, this is not guaranteed and students may need to enrol at a later time should a position in an agency be unavailable in the preferred semester
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- SCS273 and SCS274 are 24 unit courses, equivalent to two standard 12 unit courses for each course
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the 'Planning your study' page to manage your progression
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)