Bachelor of Social Work
Why study the Bachelor of Social Work at UNE?
The Bachelor of Social Work provides graduates with the theoretical and practical skills required to work as a professional social worker and eligibility to become a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Social Workers typically work with disadvantaged and marginalised individuals, groups, and communities within a social justice framework in counselling, advocacy, and the enhancement of quality of life. Social workers work toward addressing barriers, inequality and injustices faced by many groups and sub-groups in our community. Social work education is grounded within a framework that examines the nexus of human behaviour and complex social interactions. While covering all the core requirements of a professional social work degree, the Bachelor of Social Work at UNE provides students with a rural focussed program, with additional foci on Indigenous peoples, child protection and law. This four year program draws together the fields of psychology, sociology, counselling, Indigenous studies and law with social work theory and practice. The course incorporates 1 000 hours of supervised professional fieldwork experience in relevant social work settings. The Bachelor of Social Work is available to students to study either on campus, off campus or mixed mode to suit their own study needs over their candidature.
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Career Opportunities
Social Worker
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Degree Snapshot
DURATION
4 Years Full-timeUp to 10 years Part-time
FEES
CSPInternational
ATAR / OP
72.55 / 132011 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale
Semester 1, Off CampusSemester 1, On Campus
Semester 2, Off Campus
Semester 2, On Campus
How to Apply
Domestic Students
New domestic students to UNE apply to study on-campus through UAC or QTAC
For more information, click here
New domestic students to UNE apply to study off-campus direct to UNE
Former and current domestic UNE students apply to study on campus or off campus direct to UNE
For more information, click here
International Students
International students apply direct to UNE through International Marketing and PathwaysFor more information, click here
Contact Us
So we know where to direct your enquiry, please tell us if you are a current or future student:
| Official Abbreviation | BSW | |||||||||||||||
| Course Type | Undergraduate | |||||||||||||||
| Commencing |
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| Course Duration |
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| 2010 ATAR | 72.55 | |||||||||||||||
| 2010 OP | 13 | |||||||||||||||
| Fees | CSP / International | |||||||||||||||
| Total Credit Points | 192 | |||||||||||||||
| Benefits | This course has provisional accreditation with the Australian Association of Social Workers. |
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| How to apply |
New domestic students to UNE apply to study on-campus through UAC or QTAC For more information, click here
New domestic students to UNE apply to study off-campus direct to UNE Former and current domestic UNE students apply to study on campus or off campus direct to UNE For more information, click here
International students apply direct to UNE through International Marketing and Pathways For more information, click here |
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| Intensive Schools | Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements. |
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| Entry Requirements | A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Rule Undergraduate Policy). Recommended studies: English International students must meet the University's England language requirements. |
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| Additional Requirements | Criminal Records Check: Some agencies, including the NSW Department of Health and the NSW Department of Community Services have a policy that all staff, including students undertaking placements, in positions dealing with children and other vulnerable people must undergo a criminal record check. This check will be conducted by the NSW Police and will be coordinated by the fieldwork placement agency. Vaccinations: Some departments require evidence of up to date vaccination status for students undertaking fieldwork within their agency. Students will be responsible for providing such evidence where needed to undertake fieldwork placement. International students should be aware they will be required to meet English language requirements for eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers upon graduation. Criminal Records Check: Some agencies, including the NSW Department of Health and the NSW Department of Community Services have a policy that all staff, including students undertaking placements, in positions dealing with children and other vulnerable people must undergo a criminal record check. This check will be conducted by the NSW Police and will be coordinated by the fieldwork placement agency. Vaccinations: Some departments require evidence of up to date vaccination status for students undertaking fieldwork within their agency. Students will be responsible for providing such evidence where needed to undertake fieldwork placement. International students should be aware they will be required to meet English language requirements for eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers upon graduation. |
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| Practical, Clinical or Work Experience | To be eligible for membership with the AASW, social work students are required to undertake a minimum of 980 hours (140 x 7 hour days) practical fieldwork during their training, with a minimum placement being 40 days, 2 days per week with a block of at least 2 x 5 day weeks. The AASW also require 5 face-to-face teaching days for every FTE semester a student undertakes. Therefore a 5 day mandatory intensive school will be attended during fieldwork placements. UNE requires that all students undertake 1000 hours of fieldwork during their degree, over two placements. The first fieldwork placement in semester 5 is 420 hours (+ 5 days on campus). The number of days p/week will be negotiated with individual students and placement agencies, including a full time block of at least 2 weeks during the placement as per AASW requirements. The second placement (semester 8) is full time for the whole semester (580 hours + 5 days on campus). The number of days p/week will be negotiated with individual students and placement agencies in compliance with AASW requirements. Scheduling the first placement in semester 5 and second placement in semester 8 ensures that students are not competing for agency placements by undertaking fieldwork in alternating semesters. |
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| Advanced Standing | Social work students who seek advanced standing for prior studies directly related to the Bachelor of Social Work will be individually assessed according to the UNE Advanced Standing Policy and to meet the requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Advanced Standing will not be approved for HSSW310, HSSW410 or HSSW411 except where equivalent studies have been undertaken in an accredited Australian social work program at a recognised Australian University. Students who have previously worked in social work related practice positions may apply to the social work course coordinator for reduced fieldwork hours in HSSW310. Such requests will only be taken while the student is enrolled in HSSW301 and prior to the mandatory intensive for HSSW301. |
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| Honours | Students may be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Social Work with Honours on the basis of an academic record deemed by the School to be of sufficient merit. To qualify for the award of the degree with Honours candidates must: (a) have achieved a satisfactory level of performance, as determined by the School, in the first year and second year of full-time candidature; and (b) have completed HSSW401H and HSSW402H:18. (c) There will be two levels of Honours: First Class Honours and Second Class Honours. Second Class Honours will have two divisions: Division 1 and Division 2. (d) An exceptionally distinguished student who has been awarded First Class Honours may be awarded a University Medal. |
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| Academic Colours |
Old Rose (BCC 157) |
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| Further Information | 
You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE |
Admission to Candidature
A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Rule Undergraduate Policy).
International students must meet the University's England language requirements.
Advanced Standing
Students who seek advanced standing for prior studies directly related to the Bachelor of Social Work will be individually assessed according to the UNE Policy on Advanced Standing and to meet the requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Advanced standing will not be granted for HSSW310, HSSW410 or HSSW411 except where equivalent studies have been undertaken in an accredited Australian social work program at a recognised Australian University.
Students who have previously worked in social work related practice positions may apply to the course coordinator for reduced fieldwork hours in HSSW310. Such requests will only be taken while the student is enrolled in HSSW301 and prior to the mandatory intensive school for HSSW301.
Period of Candidature
The period of candidature shall be:
(a) four years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to ten years as a part-time candidate.
Course Requirements
To qualify for the award, a candidate must pass units to the value of 192 credit points as follows:
(a) 168-174 credit points including a total of 42 credit points of fieldwork; and
(b) 18 credit points Elective Units; or
(c) 24 credit points Honours units.
Program of Study
Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:
| Course Structure | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Core Units | 168-174 cps |
| Listed Units OR |
0-18 cps |
| Honours Units | 0-24 cps |
| Total | 192 cps |
To view complete Program of Study click here
Award of Degree
Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Bachelor of Social Work.
Award of Honours
Students may be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Social Work with Honours on the basis of an academic record deemed by the School to be of sufficient merit. To qualify for the award of the degree with Honours candidates must:
(a) have achieved at least a Credit average by the completion of 96 credit points. Honours places are subject to the availability of supervision. There will be a limited number of academic placements which will be offered on academic merit; and
(b) have completed HSSW401H and HSSW402H.
There will be two levels of Honours: First Class Honours and Second Class Honours. Second Class Honours will have two divisions: Division 1 and Division 2.
An exceptionally distinguished student who has been awarded First Class Honours may be awarded a University Medal.
Progress and Conduct
1. Refer to the University's General Rules Policy on Academic Progress.
2. A candidate must satisfactorily complete HSSW301 (Social Work Direct Practice Skills) before progressing to the third year of full-time study or equivalent of the degree.
3. A candidate must satisfactorily complete HSSW310 (BSW Fieldwork 1) before progressing to the fourth year of full-time study or equivalent of the degree.
4. A candidate who twice fails HSSW310 (BSW Fieldwork 1) shall not be permitted to re-enrol in the unit without the permission of the Head of School and Executive Dean.
5. A candidate must satisfactorily complete HSSW410 (Intervention Models and Skills) before progressing to the final semester of full-time study or equivalent of the degree.
6. A candidate who twice fails HSSW411 shall not be permitted to re-enrol in the unit without the permission of the Head of School and Executive Dean.
7. A candidate who breaches the Australian Association of Social Workers Professional Code of Ethics will be excluded from the degree.
Additional Requirements
Criminal Records Check: Some agencies, including the NSW Department of Health and the NSW Department of Community Services have a policy that all staff, including students undertaking placements, in positions dealing with children and other vulnerable people must undergo a criminal record check. This check will be conducted by the NSW Police and will be coordinated by the fieldwork placement agency.
Vaccinations: Some departments require evidence of up to date vaccination status for students undertaking fieldwork within their agency. Students will be responsible for providing such evidence where needed to undertake fieldwork placement.
International students should be aware they will be required to meet English language requirements for eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers upon graduation.
Improper Conduct
Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct.