Bachelor of Social Work

2016 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Professional recognition
• Course rules
• Course structure

Course overview

A degree in social work gives you the skills to enhance the wellbeing of people, taking into account the influence of policy, socio-economic factors and social justice issues. You’ll also become familiar with a range of social research methods and learn how to design and conduct research directly relevant to social work practice.

At Deakin, the Bachelor of Social Work has a particular emphasis on human rights, anti-oppressive practice and the importance of critical reflection.

You will graduate with the professional recognition and the training you need to launch a rewarding career.

With a strong emphasis on progressive, innovative and student-centered teaching practices, we aim to develop highly professional social workers who are able to work alongside individuals, groups and communities to enable social changes that support all people to have a good life.

Social work is part of a growing human services field. As a Social Work graduate you may be involved in activities as diverse as policy development and research, counselling, family therapy, drug and alcohol counselling, community development, refugee assistance and tribunal capacities. Social workers also work as program managers or coordinators, as advocates, facilitators, activists or consultants. You may work in specialist areas such as health, housing, education, or with groups such as the aged, women, youth or multi-cultural populations.

Deakin’s Bachelor of Social Work is an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) accredited qualification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

The Bachelor of Social Work is offered at pass or Honours level. Students who meet eligibility requirements can apply to enrol in Honours at completion of their third year. The key eligibility criterion being a WAM of 70 or above in the Bachelor of Social Work. H430 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) is then completed in the fourth year where BSW students are expected to undertake a suite of research focused units. It is important to plan your pathway through the Bachelor of Social Work carefully to keep the option of Honours open for the final year. Please see Course Structure Level 4 H430 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) for more information.

Professional recognition

The course is accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Students completing the course are eligible to apply for membership of AASW and can practise professionally throughout Australia.

Note: All information regarding professional recognition is accurate at the date of publication. Enquiries regarding accreditation and professional membership should be directed to the School of Health and Social Development in order to ascertain the current status of accreditation at any future point in time beyond publication. Representations about accreditation apply only to the course, and the AASW retains discretion as to who they admit as members of their association. Deakin University cannot exercise any control over membership of an external body.

Department of Human Services policy and Working with Children Check

In accordance with Department of Human Services policy* all students are required to obtain a Police Records Check (PRC) each year prior to undertaking field placements. Students may also be required to obtain a Working with Children Check (WWC).

* Department of Human Services Policy on Working with Children Check and Police Records Checks can be found at:

http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/about-the-department/our-organisation/careers/applying-for-a-job/application-process/step-4-safety-screening-checks

** Department of Justice 2007, Working with Children Act 2005, Victoria, Australia retrieved April 2012.

Attendance requirements

Cloud (online) students are required to attend a minimum of 20 days of face to face time delivered during the four-year degree.  Dates to be advised. Attendance requirements will also apply to some units in other modes of study, including campus, and community based delivery at the Institute of Koorie Education.  See Handbook entries for details of individual units.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Social work students must attain 32 credit points. Units (think of units as 'subjects') may be worth 1, 2, 3 or 4 credit points - check each unit for its credit point value in the course structure below. Most students choose to study 4 credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters each year.

The course comprises 32 credit points which must include the following:

Pass stream:

• 29 core units (these are compulsory)
• 3 elective units (you can choose which ones to study)

H430 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours):

• 30 core units including HSW401, HSW402, HSW404, HSW416 and HSW417 (these are compulsory)
• 2 elective units (you can choose which ones to study)

Failure of a field education placement will normally lead to exclusion.

Inherent requirements

Students should also be aware of the inherent requirements of the course.

Course structure

Core units

Level 1 - Trimester 1

Level 1 - Trimester 2

plus

Or

Level 2 - Trimester 1

plus one elective

Level 2 - Trimester 2

plus one elective

Level 3 - Trimester 1

Level 3 - Trimester 2

Level 4 - Pass stream

Trimester 1

plus one elective

Trimester 2

Level 4 - H430 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

(CRICOS code: 088319E)

Trimester 1

Trimester 2

Course structure

Elective units

Elective units may be chosen from any faculty in the University provided that prerequisites are met. A maximum of 2 elective units may be studied at level 1.