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. 

Residential Schools

The Bachelor of Social Work is an accredited program and must adhere to the education and accreditation standards as outlined in the ASWEAS (2020). As a flexible delivery program, students must attend mandatory residential schools to complete the minimum 20 days of face to face teaching required for completion. These residential schools are connected to several core units in the program. Students must be able to participate in residential schools allocated to the various units when planning their study. Residential school locations vary dependent on staffing and university needs. Further information about residential schools are provided in the CQUni handbook.

Field Education

Field Education placements are compulsory in Year 3 and 4 of the course and are available in fixed terms. Students are unable to participate in field education units without satisfactorily meeting the pre-requisites and all associated screening and inherent requirements.

Field Education 1 (SOWK 13009), a third year unit is only offered in Term 1 of third year by application. SOWK13009 commences according to term dates and all aspects of the placement must be compliant with the ASWEAS (2020) requirements of hours and duration. The social work program academic staff and field education unit determine the suitability and readiness for field education in accordance with the AASW Code of Ethics (2020) and the ASWEAS (2020).

SOWK13009 Field Education 1 must be undertaken with the co-requisite SOWK13010 Integrating Theory and Practice 1.

SOWK14009 Field Education 2 a fourth year unit is only offered in Term 2 and commences according to term dates and must be compliant with the ASWEAS (2020) requirements of hours and duration.

SOWK14009 Field Education 2 must be undertaken with the co-requisite SOWK14010 Integrating Theory and Practice 2.

If eligible, a student may apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) for SOWK13009. This process requires completion of a portfolio of work submitted in the first instance to the Field Education Unit to demonstrate adherence to the ASWEAS (2020) requirements. Applications for RPL for SOWK13009 are only accepted when the student is eligible to apply for enrolment to SOWK13009. Should a student be successful in an RPL for this unit, they are required to undertake SOWK13010 the same term placement was scheduled. RPL for SOWK14009 not available.

Both placements occur in an agency approved by the social work program and University. All field education placements must be supervised either on site or externally by a qualified social worker with at least two years' graduate experience who is eligible for membership with the AASW. You must meet all inherent requirements for the course and successfully complete all necessary administrative, screening and legal obligations to undertake field education. Field education units are an academic unit of study and are assessed according to university and course policies including the Field Education Handbook (located in Moodle).

Once enrolled in any social work unit you will have direct access to detailed information about all of these requirements at Social Work Central and the Field Education Hub, located in Moodle.

Year 1 Term 1

Year 1 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
SOWK11014	Contemporary Human Services
SOCL11055	Sociology of Australian Society
SOWK11017	Scope of Social Work Practice in Australia
PSYC11010	Fundamentals of Psychology 1: Understanding Human Behaviour

Year 1 Term 2

Students are required to undertake a maximum of 1 Level 1 elective unit (6 credit points) from across the University. The below units are recommended:

• CRIM11001 Foundations of Criminology and Criminal Justice 
• PSYC11009 Fundamentals of Psychology 2: Psychological Literacy 
• SOCL11059 Introducing Social Change 
• SOCL11060 Being Bad 
• HRMT11010 Organisational Behaviour 
• SCIE11018 Introduction to Forensic Science 

Year 1 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
SOWK11015	Professional Communication in Human Services
SOWK11016	Human Services and the Law
INDG11013	First Nation and Non-Indigenous History: The Interface

Year 2 Term 1

Year 2 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
SOWK12008	Theories of Change for Professional Practice I
SOWK12009	Casework and Case Management
SOWK12012	Organisational Practice
SOWK12015	Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Professional Practice

Year 2 Term 2

Year 2 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
SOCL19069	Social Research Methods
SOWK12010	Theories of Change for Professional Practice II
SOWK12011	Social Group Work and Family Work
SOWK12014	Ethical Professional Practice

Year 3 Term 1

Year 3 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
SOWK13009	Fieldwork Education 1
SOWK13010	Integrating Theory and Practice 1

Year 3 Term 2

Year 3 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
SOWK13011	Community Practice
SOWK13012	Professional Practice and Mental Health
SOWK13013	Professional Practice with Children, Youth and Families
SOWK13014	Contemporary Social Policy

Students are required to undertake 1 Advanced elective unit (6 credit points) from across the University. The below units are recommended:

• SOWK13015 Violence Against Women: Key Themes
• SOCL19065 Rural Communities and Health
• INDG19015 Aboriginal Cultures and Country
• HLTH12030 Drugs in Society

Year 4 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
SOWK14005	Advanced Direct Practice
SOWK14006	Professional Leadership in Human Services
SOWK14004	Reconciliation in the Workplace and Community

Year 4 Term 2

Year 4 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
SOWK14009	Fieldwork Education 2
SOWK14010	Integrating Theory and Practice 2