Bachelor of Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) is offered full-time on-campus.

Some of the courses in this program may be run in an intensive block format. It is important to check course profiles and your timetable carefully to ensure that all course requirements are fully understood.

All social work students are required to attend at least 20 days on campus throughout their full period of study. This is a non-negotiable requirement of all AASW accredited social work programs in Australia.

As a full-time on-campus student, you will generally attend 10-15 hours of scheduled classes per week throughout the Trimester. Classes may be scheduled during the day and evening throughout the week. The program includes two practical professional placements which sit in the third and fourth year of the program during which you must be available five working days each week. Some of the courses in this program are run in an intensive block format. It is important to check course profiles and your timetable carefully to ensure that all course requirements are fully understood.

The Online offering of the Bachelor of Social Work is not available to International students.

Trimester 3 Compulsory Study

This program includes compulsory study in Trimester 3 of Year 3. You must enrol in a minimum of one in-person, on-campus course in Trimester 3 of Year 3.

Placements

workplace placements are to be completed within a full-time study load. Students will need to be available full-time to attend 1000 hours of professional practice education placements in Years 3 and 4 as follows:

• 3012HSV Social Work Field Placement 1 (30 credit points)
• 4012HSV Social Work Field Placement 2 (30 credit points)

The field placements must be completed over two calendar years in accordance with Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (AWSEAS). The two compulsory field placements are completed in full-time mode and students must complete a minimum of 1000 hours of placement through the entirety of the program. In the case of extenuating circumstances only, placement days per week may be negotiated but must still fit within Australian Association of Social Workers¿(AASW) accreditation guidelines. This will not change the number of hours in total that are required to be completed overall - therefore, placement may end after the scheduled University trimester end date.

If you are an International student on a student visa, you must ensure that you enrol in a way that will allow you to complete your enrolment within the expected program duration as stated on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

Work-integrated learning activities (professional placements) integrate theoretical learning with its application in the workplace. The inclusion of work-integrated learning activities in the degree program demonstrates Griffith's commitment to preparing its graduates for success in their working life.

In this program you will spend time in the work/professional environment undertaking placements at various locations. Placements may be outside of the Brisbane metropolitan/Gold Coast area including northern New South Wales and (by negotiation) interstate or overseas. Total work placements (hours): 1000.

In accordance with Section 4 of the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) 2020 "Placements will be undertaken over at least two years of the professional social work program of study".

Social workers make an impact on the lives of others through professional practice, working with individuals, families, groups and communities. 

Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) are ethical and innovative thinkers, effective communicators, problem solvers, change facilitators and leaders. This degree has a strong focus on critical reflection and ethical practice, which will enhance your employment opportunities.

You'll be prepared for a wide range of social work roles including community work; advocacy, research, planning and policy development, management and administration. 

Fields of practice include child and family welfare including child protection, health and mental health, counselling, youth and adolescents including school social work, youth and adult offending, hospital and community health settings, working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from diverse cultures including migrants and refugees, LGBTIQA+ individuals and communities, disability and neurodiversity, alcohol and other drugs, housing and homelessness, aged care, palliative care and end-of-life, employment and income support.

Other career options may include community development, family support, foster care services, disability services, environmental and disaster work, international social work and humanitarian work, multicultural services, services for women and many other social welfare organisations. Many social workers are employed in policy roles within government, and can engage with political processes, including work in rural, regional and remote areas.

The Bachelor of Social Work is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Graduates of this program will be eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) subject to meeting any additional requirements that may be stipulated by the AASW. As these requirements may change from time to time, students should contact the AASW to confirm registration requirements.

There are placements associated with this program and before undertaking professional experience placements, all students in this program are required to have completed the following by the end of their first trimester of study:

• Vaccinations and Health Tests
• Licenses and Certificates
• Online Training
• Health Placement Requirements

Students should refer to the checklist of professional practice requirements for their Health discipline on the Health Placement Support Hub for full details of the requirements regarding professional placement to ensure that they meet eligibility for placement.