BH105 - Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

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Plan: BH105 - Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
Campus: City Campus

Overview

Program details
Purpose of the Program
Articulation and pathways
Entrance requirements
External accreditation and industry links
Student expenses and charges in addition to fees
Library, IT and specialist resources

Program details

Award title: Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
Award abbreviation: BSocWk(Hons)
Total credit points: 384
Career: UGRD
Duration: 4 years full-time / 8 years part-time
Location: Onshore, City campus
Owning school: Global, Urban and Social Studies (365H)
Owning school URL: www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/global-urban-and-social-studies
ASCED code: 090501
CRICOS code: 079596C

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Purpose of the Program

The program has been designed for you to develop advanced knowledge and skills for social work practice in the contemporary Australian welfare and human service system. You will critically engage with social issues in Australian society and be conversant with the key concepts underpinning social development, needs and problems, with a focus on individual, family and community well-being. You will engage with the value base of the profession as outlined in the AASW Code of Ethics.

You will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge, values and skills you gain in the classroom in two field education placements. This suite of knowledge and skills will underpin and be informed by your research and critical analysis of approaches and evidence relevant to the practice of social work.

You are able to undertake the program in a blend of face to face and online learning.

On completion of the program you will be a qualified social work practitioner with professional knowledge of social work theory and practice. You will be able to analyse and interpret social problems, assist individuals, groups, communities and others in need, confidently lead others and provide informed insights into directions and trends of the profession. You will have qualifying level professional practice skills and be experienced in critically analysing and researching social problems, and have the ability to apply initiative and judgement to social problems.

In preparation for professional roles in interpersonal, intra-familial, group, organisational, community and policy contexts, you will be able to work independently and in teams. You will be able to communicate confidently with allied professionals, including health care practitioners, policy makers, staff from government and community welfare agencies.

You will gain skills for research and life-long learning to enable you to contribute confidently to your own professional development and to a profession that is always evolving. You will gain insight into your own creativity, and develop efficient work practices to allow you to continue to grow and develop professionally. 

A capstone experience is provided in HWSS1143 Social Work Field Education 2 through which you will integrate and synthesise your knowledge of social work, connect theory to practice, and demonstrate your holistic achievement of the program learning outcomes.

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Articulation and pathways

Successful completion of the Diploma of Community Services guarantees entry into this program with 72 credit points of exemption. 

Graduates of the following RMIT programs may be eligible for credit in the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours): 

BP315 Bachelor of Arts (Welfare & Society) is available as an exit award if you are no longer able to meet the Inherent Requirements of BH105 – Bachelor of Social Work(Honours). Refer to the program guide for BP315 where the specific grounds for this early exit are outlined, what the objectives of the program are and what your employability options may look like.

If you have already developed areas of skill and knowledge included in this program (for example, through prior studies or work experience), you can apply for credit once you have enrolled in this program.

Upon successful completion of this program you may be eligible to undertake further studies in RMIT University programs including the Master of Public Policy, Master of Global Studies, Master of Social Science by research and PhD, subject to each program's entry requirements. 

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Entrance requirements

You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school) qualification.

For equivalents to Australian academic entry requirements, see the Country equivalents web page

Prerequisites
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in any other English.

International English language requirement
A minimum IELTS (Academic module) overall score of 7.0, with no band less than 7.0, or equivalent.

For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the  English equivalents web page

Working with Children and Police Check

Students are required to complete a Working with Children Check and Police Check before going on placement.

NDIS Worker Screening Check

Students may be required to apply for, and receive an acceptable NDIS Worker Screening Check prior to undertaking professional placement with an NDIS provider as part of this program.

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External accreditation and industry links

External Accreditation

The Bachelor of Social Work is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) (http://www.aasw.asn.au/). On successful completion of the program, you will be eligible to apply for membership of the AASW and be recognised by the Association as an accredited social worker. As a student of the program you are also eligible to apply for student membership of the AASW.

The program is informed by regular consultations with a Program Advisory Committee whose membership is drawn from the human services industry.

Industry Links

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) has multiple linkages with the profession, as well as regular collaboration with the AASW on a range of issues of mutual interest.

All accredited social work programs require you to undertake 140 days of professional field education (work integrated learning) which are offered in a range of human service agencies. All placements are supervised by a social worker eligible for membership of the AASW.

The program is taught by academics who have broad social work experience and engagement with industry, including research partnerships and board memberships. Social work practitioners participate in the program by providing lectures and presentations. Various agencies offer students work placements, a key component of the social work degree.

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Student expenses and charges in addition to fees

Once you are enrolled as a student in this program you will need to allow for expenses other than university tuition fees.  Additional expenses may relate to the purchase of lecture notes, textbooks, stationery, consumables such as printer paper, fees levied by commercial internet service providers for internet access outside of the university campus, and other relevant costs.

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Library, IT and specialist resources

Library resources and services

As a student enrolled in a program at RMIT University you can access the extensive services, facilities and study space provided by the Library. You can access books, journals and other course related materials, such as DVDs, past exams, newspapers and e-books. Through our document delivery service you can also request items from any library in the world.

Computers for study are available at every Library site, where you can access the Internet, myRMIT (www.rmit.edu.au/myrmit) or Library e-resources. If you have a laptop you can access the RMIT University wireless network in the Library. Library staff can show you how to find information for your assignments or you can work through web-based tutorials or use our online Ask a Librarian service. The Library is continually expanding our electronic collections to make it easier for you to get the information you need when you need it. All RMIT University students have unlimited access to quality electronic resources such as, e-books, ejournals and newspapers.

You can find more information on Library resources and services at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library

Online learning tools and content

You can access online learning tools and content for your program and associated courses at myRMIT
www.rmit.edu.au/myrmit

Services available to you as a student at RMIT University

RMIT University provides a wide range of resources and opportunities to assist your learning and wellbeing so you can achieve your study and career goals.

Services are available face to face and online assisting with:

  • transition to tertiary study and learning
  • study skills, academic skills including literacy, mathematics and basic sciences if relevant
  • enabling assistance if you have a disability, long term medical condition or other form of disadvantage which may impact on your learning
  • career development and employment
  • living and wellbeing (including advice on health, housing and financial matters)
  • opportunities for scholarships, leadership and study abroad
  • opportunities for participating in arts, sport, recreation, fitness activities as well as student activism and university governance

We also offer a friendly and supportive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. You can find more information at www.rmit.edu.au/students

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