Social Work
Do you aspire to become a qualified social worker? Social work courses at UNE are innovative and flexible and provide students with the theoretical and practical skills for working with individuals, groups and communities who experience marginalisation, isolation or discrimination.
Our social work courses have a particular emphasis on social work in rural and remote communities, as well as focussing on issues surrounding Indigenous peoples, child protection and the Law. Social work at UNE is designed around an interactive problem-based learning approach to equip students for the challenge of being agents of change in the 21st century.
UNE offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Social Work.
Undergraduate (Bachelor of Social Work) is a four-year Bachelor of Social Work degree for school leavers and for those without a university degree. Postgraduate (Master of Social Work - Professional Qualifying) is a two-year graduate-entry program for people who have previously completed an undergraduate degree. You can study our social work programs either on campus or off campus, full time or part time. The courses are provisionally accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers and graduates will be eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Social work is one of the professions in the human services industry that is increasingly in demand in Australia and overseas. With its emphasis on skill development and continuing lifelong education, a social work degree from UNE can open doorways to careers in management, education, research, policy development, politics and community planning. The social work profession is committed to the pursuit of social justice, the enhancement of quality of life and the development of the full potential of each individual, group and community in society. In practice, social workers are trained to undertake roles in casework, counselling, advocacy, community engagement and social action to address issues at both the personal and social level. Social workers also contribute to policy development, education and research, particularly around issues of social justice, disadvantage and marginalisation. Social workers are employed in a diverse range of government, non-government and community agencies such as hospitals, community health centres, early intervention and child protection programs, family support services, schools, employment services, justice, housing, mental health, disability and aged care services. This is an 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 a four year undergraduate degree. Upon completion, Bachelor of Social Work graduates will be eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). For further information, please visit the course and unit catalogue, which includes the program of study. The Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) is a two year graduate entry program which provides specific social work knowledge and skills for students who have completed an undergraduate degree and want to qualify as professional social workers eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. This degree incorporates the core requirements of a professional social work degree including the mandatory field education components. For further information, please visit the course and unit catalogue which includes the program of study. Social workers who are looking to further their studies may be interested in research degrees and also courses in Counselling and Mental Health. The School of Health offers the following postgraduate research awards:
