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Professional Recognition

Course code C58

Bachelor of Social Science

Creative thinkers made here.

Creative thinkers made here.

Why ECU?

About this Course

Do you have a deep understanding of others, strong ability to connect with vulnerable people and are passionate about supporting people and communities to enhance their wellbeing?

This degree will give you the community and human services skills, knowledge and capacity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and diverse communities. Through a social science and human rights lens, you’ll study how communities work, develop and change over time. You’ll explore concepts of social change, gender equality, cultural diversity, sustainability, child development, and policy development.

You will have opportunities to develop your networks, meet industry professionals and apply your knowledge through 400 hours of field placement to become work ready upon graduation. It’s your time to shine.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.

Course code C58

Entry requirements

70 Indicative ATAR

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

Commonwealth supported - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $10,050

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup FT PT FT PT
Mount Lawley
South West
Online FT PT FT PT
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

About this Course

Do you have a deep understanding of others, strong ability to connect with vulnerable people and are passionate about supporting people and communities to enhance their wellbeing?

This degree will give you the community and human services skills, knowledge and capacity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and diverse communities. Through a social science and human rights lens, you’ll study how communities work, develop and change over time. You’ll explore concepts of social change, gender equality, cultural diversity, sustainability, child development, and policy development.

You will have opportunities to develop your networks, meet industry professionals and apply your knowledge through 400 hours of field placement to become work ready upon graduation. It’s your time to shine.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.

Course code C58

CRICOS code 079122D

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

International students - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $37,400

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup FT FT
Mount Lawley
South West
Online FT PT FT PT
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • AQF Cert IV;
    • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
    • Undergraduate Certificate;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • University Preparation Course;*
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment; or*
    • Experience Based Entry Scheme.*

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

    For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

  • English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
    • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
    • University Preparation Course;
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;*
    • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
    • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • AQF Cert IV;
    • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
    • Undergraduate Certificate;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • University Preparation Course;*
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment; or*
    • Experience Based Entry Scheme.*

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

    For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

  • English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
    • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
    • University Preparation Course;
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;*
    • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
    • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online

Semester 1: Study part-time at Joondalup or Online

Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online

Semester 2: Study part-time at Joondalup or Online

Course Structure

Students are required to complete a Major plus a supplementary program, comprising of Minor and/or Elective units:

Children and Family Studies
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
Unit from Majorx 17270
Unit from Minor/Electivex 690
Human Services and Community Work
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
Unit from Majorx 17270
Elective Unitx 690

Note: Students should complete no more than 150 credit points at Level 1000 when combined with their selected major.

C58|2

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Majors you can study in this course

One or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Students are required to complete a professional placement unit during the course. The requirements for this professional placement vary depending on the major that is selected but both majors must meet the Practice Guidelines as set by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).
    Further information regarding Professional Placement can be found at:
    https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/arts-and-humanities/courses/professional-placement

    Attendance requirements

    Students undertaking the Majors in Human Services and Community Work, and Children and Family Studies, are required to validate the Practice Guidelines as set out by Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). Students undertaking the Major in Human Services are required to validate the competencies as set out by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Host organisations may require students to attend after hours and on the weekends.

    Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

    Risk Management Assessment is negotiated with the agencies and ECU under agreement arrangements.
    Prior to placement students must upload into SONIA a current National Police Clearance. The Unit Coordinator may discuss the contents of the National Police Clearance with the student if there is any potential risk to student, agency and ECU. Agencies may request a Working with Children Check (or equivalent) before commencing placement.

    Professional practice rules

    Prior to placement students are required to complete the associated unit material and weekly activities (on campus or online). During placement students must demonstrate professionalism and respect for industry partners. Students are required to comply with Australian Community Workers and ECU Codes of Conduct along with any agency requirements.

Professional Recognition

Course

Accredited by: Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)

Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) have accredited this course. To meet the professional accreditation requirements with ACWA, students must undertake certain units including 400 hours in the community and social science field.

Majors

One or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online

Semester 1: Study part-time Online

Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online

Semester 2: Study part-time Online

Course Structure

Students are required to complete a Major plus a supplementary program, comprising of Minor and/or Elective units:

Children and Family Studies
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
Unit from Majorx 17270
Unit from Minor/Electivex 690
Human Services and Community Work
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
Unit from Majorx 17270
Elective Unitx 690

Note: Students should complete no more than 150 credit points at Level 1000 when combined with their selected major.

C58|2

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Majors you can study in this course

One or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Students are required to complete a professional placement unit during the course. The requirements for this professional placement vary depending on the major that is selected but both majors must meet the Practice Guidelines as set by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).
    Further information regarding Professional Placement can be found at:
    https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/arts-and-humanities/courses/professional-placement

    Attendance requirements

    Students undertaking the Majors in Human Services and Community Work, and Children and Family Studies, are required to validate the Practice Guidelines as set out by Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). Students undertaking the Major in Human Services are required to validate the competencies as set out by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Host organisations may require students to attend after hours and on the weekends.

    Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

    Risk Management Assessment is negotiated with the agencies and ECU under agreement arrangements.
    Prior to placement students must upload into SONIA a current National Police Clearance. The Unit Coordinator may discuss the contents of the National Police Clearance with the student if there is any potential risk to student, agency and ECU. Agencies may request a Working with Children Check (or equivalent) before commencing placement.

    Professional practice rules

    Prior to placement students are required to complete the associated unit material and weekly activities (on campus or online). During placement students must demonstrate professionalism and respect for industry partners. Students are required to comply with Australian Community Workers and ECU Codes of Conduct along with any agency requirements.

Professional Recognition

Course

Accredited by: Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)

Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) have accredited this course. To meet the professional accreditation requirements with ACWA, students must undertake certain units including 400 hours in the community and social science field.

Majors

One or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $10,050 - Commonwealth supported estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for the individual units you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

This course prepares you for working with people and communities, and being able to specialise in community work, community development and family support. Your job title could be Community Worker, Community Development Officer, Policy Officer, Family Support Officer, Parent Education Coordinator or Project Officer.

Possible future job titles

Community Worker, Community Development Officer, Policy Officer, Family Support Officer, Parent Education Coordinator, Project Officer

Similar courses to consider

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $37,400 - International students estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, and has been calculated based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for each individual unit you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

This course prepares you for working with people and communities, and being able to specialise in community work, community development and family support. Your job title could be Community Worker, Community Development Officer, Policy Officer, Family Support Officer, Parent Education Coordinator or Project Officer.

Possible future job titles

Community Worker, Community Development Officer, Policy Officer, Family Support Officer, Parent Education Coordinator, Project Officer

Similar courses to consider

Need some help deciding what to study?

Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.

Experiences

Experiences

Student stories

  • Alfred Koech

    ECU Social Science graduate

    Passionate about people? Study Social Science

    Social Science is the scientific study of human society and social relationships. It's a broad discipline that can lead to a range of career directions.

    In this video Alfred Koech talks about his experiences as a Social Science student at ECU. Alfred came here from Kenya to study and to pursue his passion – working with people.

  • Joyce Nederpel

    Joyce Nederpel

    ECU Bachelor of Social Science graduate

    I wanted more from my job, to be more involved with children and families who are disadvantaged

    I worked in childcare for many years and had worked my way up to management. I wanted more from my job, and wanted to be more involved with children and families who are disadvantaged. I never had a bad experience with any lecturer; they were always happy to help, listen and challenge my thinking.

    And I didn't know how valuable the networking would be and how many opportunities it would open up. It was so much more than studying further to get a job.

  • Tanya Langford

    Tanya Langford

    ECU Social Science graduate

    In my 30's I developed a deep desire to support women who had been through abuse and family dysfunction

    I knew I strongly wanted to study to enable me to create a pathway of helping and supporting women to overcome gender-based violence and the societal issues that disempower women. I did my first Semester in Social Work but transferred into Social Science so I could select units I thought would enhance my capacities in achieving my goals.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Do you have any questions about the Bachelor of Social Science?

The Important Things

Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.

Course Entry

There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.

Fees & Scholarships

Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.

Applying

Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.

ECU Experience

Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.