Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

Effective from 01-JAN-2027 : Code K42

This program comprises of a research thesis on an area of interest related to rural, regional and remote social work practice. Students undertaking the program will complete a thesis under supervision, which will display a capacity to develop a conceptual framework of understanding in relation to the topic area, research and review the academic and research literature in relation to the topic area, design an appropriate research methodology to collect relevant data in relation to the topic, and analyse the data in relation to its relevance to future social work understandings and practice.
This is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Clinical or professional work placement Requirement

Students are required to undertake two 14-week field placements.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply transdisciplinary and social work knowledges and theories to address real-world inequalities and inequities.
2. Investigate and critically analyse issues of intersecting systemic injustices, independently and collaboratively, to develop and apply relevant social work change strategies.
3. Design ethical and innovative change strategies, independently and collaboratively, that apply social work professional values and ethics to inform decision-making.
4. Use established and emerging digital technologies ethically to investigate and respond to relevant research knowledges for social work practice.
5. Communicate knowledges and theoretical ideas clearly and respectfully across contexts, demonstrating independence, academic integrity, and awareness of audience and purpose.
6. Engage respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of being, knowing and doing, and all global cultures, demonstrating cultural humility and responsiveness as central to social work practice.
7. Demonstrate integrity, autonomy, initiative, feedback literacy, judgement and responsibility for lifelong learning and social work practice development.
8. Plan and conduct an independent research project that reviews, analyses and synthesises advanced social work knowledge and research methodologies to investigate and generate social work responses to complex issues and develop and communicate new understandings.

Membership

Students can apply for membership with Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Graduates are eligible for membership with Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 8)

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:

• Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 5)

In accordance with the requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), international applicants for this accredited course are required to provide an IELTS Academic with an overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0).  Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.  Alternative acceptable tests are as follows:

• IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
• Pearson English Test (PTE) Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
• TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test:
  • 24 for listening
  • 24 for reading,
  • 27 for writing, and
  • 23 for speaking

Note:  English tests must be completed within 2 years of the proposed course commencement date and additional requirements may apply in relation to acceptable number of test sittings and combined scores across test sittings.

Minimum English standard requirements for this course may also be satisfied with one of the following:

• Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
• Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;
• 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 Student Intake Test;
• AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree; or
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to have achieved a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 per cent or higher in the first five semesters of the Bachelor of Social Work including a mark of 70 percent or higher in Applied Research Methods RPS3110 (prerequisite unit for SWK5224) or its equivalent. Students will be invited to participate in the Honours program by the Social Work Program Coordinator, and attend an interview.

Portfolio pathway applications are not accepted for this course.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Bachelor Honours Degree Award.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 4 Years
• Part Time: 8 Years

Course Delivery

• South West (Bunbury): Full Time, Part Time
• Online: Full Time, Part Time

Non standard timetable requirements

Students who elect to study online will be required to attend for face-to-face, classroom-based activities for a minimum of 20 days (140 hours) spread over the four years of the course. This is a requirement set by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) for accredited programs that are offered online. Graduates of accredited programs are eligible for membership to AASW.

Course Coordinator

Dr Susan BAILEY

Course Structure

This is a Programmatic Learning course. This Course uses a mix of Learning Units and Assessment Units which all connect together.

• Learning Units are where students develop their knowledge, skills, and capabilities through regular activities and feedback.
• Assessment Units are where students integrate, apply and demonstrate that learning.

Students will collect evidence of learning in a digital portfolio that charts their course journey, and can be used as a showcase to employers.

Students are required to complete:

- Learning Units: 420 credit points core units (including 90cp of placement units)

- Assessment Units: 3x15 credit point core units, 1x30 credit point core unit and 6x0-credit point core units

* Assessment Unit