Bachelor of Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work provides graduates with the theoretical and practical skills required to work as a professional social worker, an occupation that the Australian government predicts will continue to experience very strong growth. Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. UNE social work graduates typically work with disadvantaged and marginalised individuals, groups, and communities using a social justice and trauma-informed framework in counselling, advocacy, and community development to enhance people's health and well-being. Social workers address barriers, inequality and injustices faced by many groups, particularly those who are socially excluded. UNE's social work program embraces a framework that examines the dynamic interaction of human behaviour and complex social interactions and institutions. Covering all the core requirements of an accredited professional social work degree, the Bachelor of Social Work at UNE emphasises practice in rural and complex community environments, and focuses on rights-based practice, mental health, Indigenous peoples, child protection and the law. The course incorporates 1000 hours of professional fieldwork placement supervised by experienced practitioners in diverse social work settings locally and overseas. Students can suit their own learning needs and choose to study either on campus or online, with periodic compulsory intensive face-to-face classes for students who learn by distance.

This course is accreditated with the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Students who complete the Honours Pathway may be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Social Work with Honours. To be invited to the Honours Pathway students must have completed 96 credit points (including HSSW105, HSSW301, HSSW410 and HSSW310) towards the degree with a grade point average of 5.5 or higher.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. apply and adhere to the principles of ethical practice as defined by the Australian Association of Social Workers' Code of Ethics and professional Practice Standards;
2. demonstrate knowledge of the human rights of all individuals and groups in society, and how social, economic and other factors affect the achievement of these;
3. evidence knowledge of, and understand, injustice, inequality, and human rights, particularly the implications for marginalised groups, including Indigenous Australians;
4. understand the impacts of disadvantage, disability and trauma upon the health and well-being of people, and its implications for practice and policy responses;
5. demonstrate the linkage between theory and practice and how this is informed by evidence and the ability to critically reflect on their practice;
6. develop a critical framework for effective practice, policy and organisational responses to meet individual, familial and group needs in rural and complex community settings;
7. demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to, respond to rapidly changing social and environmental issues that influence the lives of individuals within a given community at local, natonal and international levels; and
8. articulate an understanding of the place of research in furthering social work theory and practice.
9. BSW with Honours students will also be able to demonstrate discipline knowledge, problem-solving and analytical skills necessary to conduct research that contributes to the social work discipline and adheres to principles of ethical practice;
10. capacity to devise and complete all components of a thesis under supervision for an approved research proposal within an appropriate timeframe;
11. skills and techniques necessary to advance to postgraduate research and/or further career progression; and
12. academic writing skills necessary to produce a thesis and/or papers for scholarly publication.