Bachelor of Social Work CU20

Program Overview

The social work degree at Central Queensland University is an innovative four-year program which is offered in flexible delivery mode. Students, (social workers in training) are encouraged to become self-directed and active learners through the problem based learning curriculum. Problem-based learning affords participants opportunities for experiential learning and provides challenges based on everyday social work practice.

Flexible delivery includes resource packages, the use of information and communication technology and residential schools on the Rockhampton campus. Social worker in training form learning groups to maintain contact with each other and to work collaboratively on group projects. University staff members work with the learning groups offering support and facilitating learning.

All participants are required to attend two week-long residentials each year and to have access to information and communication technology.

In third and fourth years of the degree program social workers in training complete a fourteen week fieldwork placement supervised by a qualified social worker.

The social work program is accessible to candidates living anywhere in Australia and is particularly suited to people living in rural and remote areas. It incorporates a strong emphasis on rural practice and is inclusive of social workers in training from diverse backgrounds.

As part of the fieldwork and residentials, social workers in training are required to participate in groupwork and individual self-development exercises. The program may challenge personal values and attitudes as social workers in training develop both personally and professionally.

Program Structure

To satisfy the requirements of the award, students must complete 32 courses or 192 units of credit as outlined below.

Code	Course
Year 1 – Autumn
SOCL11055	Introduction to Sociology
PSYC11008	Biological Foundations of Psychology
LAWS11045	Law & Welfare of Society A
SOWK11012	Introduction to Social Work (A)
Year 1 – Winter
LAWS11048	Law & Welfare of Society B
SOCL11056	Australian Society
SOWK11013	Introduction to Social Work (B)
PSYC11009	Social Foundations of Psychology
Year 2 – Autumn
SOWK11010	Social Work Skills & Methods I (A)
SOCL19065	Rural Sociology or WELF4004   Rural Social Work*
NURS12128	Drugs in Society
SOWK19014	Social Work Theory & Practice II (A)
Year 2 – Winter
SOWK11011	Social Work Skills & Methods II (B)
SOCL19062	Policy, Power & Politics
SOWK19015	Social Work Theory & Practice II (B)
SOWK12007	Research Methods in Social Work
Year 3 – Autumn
SOCL19066	Community Analysis
SOWK13006	Ethical Social Work Practice
SOWK13008	Contemporary Social Policy
SOWK19016	Social Work Theory & Practice III (A)
Year 3 - Winter
SOWK13002	Field Education & Fieldwork I
SOWK19017	Social Work Theory & Practice III (B)
Year 4 – Autumn
HRMT11011	Human Resources in Organisations
SOWK19018	Social Work Theory & Practice IV (A)
	Elective(1)
Year 4 - Winter
SOWK14003	Field Education & Fieldwork II
SOWK19019	Social Work Theory & practice IV (B)
	Elective(2)

Students should complete all courses in each term as stated.

Students studying less than the full-time program in Year 1 are expected to complete the prescribed psychology, sociology and law courses before undertaking Introduction to Social Work.

Notes

1. Students undertaking Honours will be required to study an advanced Research course offered by the School in this term as well as an elective course. Other students may choose an elective offered by the School of Social Work and Welfare Studies or any approved elective from another degree program.
2. Students undertaking Honours will be required to undertake an original piece of research in this course to complete the Honours program as well as an elective course. Other students may choose an elective offered by the School of Social Work & Welfare Studies or any approved elective from another degree program.
3. Electives may be chosen from SOWK19021  , SOWK19020   and SOWK19024  .
4. Note carefully: SOWK11012   must be completed before SOWK11013   SOWK19014   must be completed before SOWK19015   SOWK19016   must be completed before SOWK19017   SOWK19018   must be completed before SOWK19019   SOWK11010   must be completed before SOWK11011  

Degree Rules

1. Students must satisfactorily complete the courses outlined in the program schedule in the order and sequence stated, unless granted Advanced Standing in one or more of the courses specified.
2. Students must complete no more than 10 courses at Level 1.
3. A total of 192 units of credit must be achieved for eligibility for the degree to be awarded.
4. Students must observe all conditions and restrictions which are listed in the footnotes to the Table of Course Availability.
5. Students must satisfy all pre- and corequisites as outlined in the Table of Course Availability.
6. Students who fail a course at a second attempt may not re-enrol in that course for a period of 2 years.
7. Field Education and Fieldwork courses which require placement in an approved social work agency are compulsory and may be undertaken only after consultation with, and approval by, the members of the Social Work discipline.
8. No student will be permitted to separately negotiate a Field Education and Fieldwork placement.
9. Unless approved by the course coordinator, students will not be permitted to proceed to the next year of the program until they have passed all requirements of the previous year of the program.
10. Compulsory Residential attendance:
    • Regardless of their mode of enrolment all beginning students are required to attend an induction week at CQU Rockhampton to be held prior to Orientation Week of the year in which they commence SOWK11004   Introduction to Social Work. This week is essential in order to outline for students the community-focussed model of teaching and learning in social work. A further week -long residential is required in first year. This is usually held in November.
    • There are compulsory week-long Residential attendance requirements in Autumn and Winter terms for the courses:
      • Social Work Theory & Practice II and Social Work Skills & Methods
      • Social Work Theory & Practice III and Field Education & Fieldwork I
      • Social Work Theory & Practice IV and Field Education & Fieldwork II
      
      These will be conducted at CQU Rockhampton.

Application for Credit Transfer

Credit transfer will only be granted where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies equivalent in content and depth to the CQU program has been successfully completed.

Students should examine the course synopses in this handbook to determine the courses for which they may be eligible to claim exemption. Credit transfer must meet the guidelines approved by the AASW. For more information contact the program administrator.

Bachelor of Social Work with Honours

Students have an opportunity to graduate from the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours. Honours allows students to apply research skills in and acquire a deeper appreciation of a particular area or aspect of social work theory and practice. The Honours program also gives students the opportunity to qualify as candidates for Masters and Doctoral Studies at CQU and elsewhere.

Each year a limited number of students are awarded the degree with Honours.

Eligibility Requirements

The Honours program is integrated within the BSW. Therefore, in order to qualify for the award students will be required to:

• Have high level achievement in completing the Bachelor of Social Work course.
• Achieve a grade point average of 5.5 or higher in all Social Work specific courses in years two, three and four of the program plus Introduction to Social Work.
• Complete Elective (1); and Qualitative Research Methods and Advanced Research Methods, and Elective (2); and Qualitative Research Methods and a supervised research project, and receive a grade of credit or better.

Students eligible for consideration for the award of Honours will normally be in the top 30% of final year students at the end of Autumn Term, Year 4. No more than 20% of students in Year 4 will be awarded Honours.

Class of Award

Students may be awarded Honours within the usual classes of such awards within the University.

First Class Honours may be awarded to students who complete all requirements as stated and achieve a Grade Point Average of at least 6. Second Class Honours Division I may be awarded to students who complete all stated requirements and achieve a GPA of at least 5.5. Second Class Honours Division II may be awarded to students completing all stated requirements and who achieve a GPA of at least 5.24.