BH106 - Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)

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Plan: BH106SOSDD - Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) /Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
Campus: City Campus

Program delivery and structure

Approach to learning and assessment
Work integrated learning
Program structure
Program transition plan

Approach to learning and assessment

The program integrates face to face and online environments that enable you to actively learn with your peers. In order to help you to become a lifelong learner you will be supported by academics to take responsibility for all aspects of your learning.

You will experience a variety of teaching approaches and styles including lectures, and associated tutorials, workshops, work practice, project and problem based learning and intensive mode classes. You will also engage in methods such as collaborative group work, case studies, negotiated learning, peer review, presentations, exercises, and reflective techniques such as journals.

Assessment may include written exercises (including essays, reports, reflective pieces, policies), oral presentations, graphic presentations, and progressive practice-based assessments to allow you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and development in achieving the program learning outcomes. At all times assessment is aligned with the program and course learning outcomes and learning activities. You will receive feedback both formally on your assignments and informally to facilitate your learning.

If you have a long term medical condition, disability and/or other form of disadvantage it may be possible to negotiate variations to aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the Program Manager or the Equitable Learning Service Unit (https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services) if you would like to find out more. 

Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements refer to the abilities, knowledge and skills you must demonstrate to:

  • achieve program learning outcomes 
  • work effectively as part of a team in classroom and work-integrated learning (WIL) settings
  • perform effectively in classroom and WIL settings without undue risk to your own or others' health, safety and welfare.

Depending on your program of study, inherent requirements may include:

  • verbal and non-verbal communication skills
  • reading, writing and number skills
  • concentration, memory and problem solving
  • mental wellness and behavioural stability
  • vision, hearing, touch and smell
  • physical skills, such as gross and fine motor skills.

If you have any injury, illness, disability, impairment, condition or incapacity that may affect your ability to perform the inherent requirements of your program of study, we encourage you to discuss this with the Program manager to enable RMIT University to identify whether there are any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform program requirements. RMIT University wants to place you in the best possible position to use your knowledge, skills and attributes effectively in your program of study.

You can view the Inherent Requirements for this program here http://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/applying-to-rmit/local-student-applications/entry-requirements/inherent-requirements/international-community-services/bachelor-of-social-work-honours

Recognition of Prior Learning

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. There is information on the RMIT University website about how to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit/he.

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Work integrated learning

RMIT is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with workplace experience. As a student enrolled in this RMIT University program you will:

  • undertake and be assessed on structured activities that allow you to learn, apply and demonstrate your professional or vocational practice;
  • interact with industry and community when undertaking these activities;
  • complete these activities in real work contexts or situations; and in addition:
  • these interactions and the work contexts provide distinctive sources of feedback to you to assist your learning.

Any or all of these aspects of a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience may be simulated.

In this program, you will be doing specific courses that focus on work integrated learning (WIL). You will be assessed on professional or vocational work in a work place setting (real or simulated) and receive feedback from those involved in your industry.

In the Bachelor of Social work (Honours) the value of WIL is for you to be able to use the skills and knowledge you acquire in typical professional situations. WIL helps you to practice your skills and integrates the range of knowledge developed during the program, so that you will have the confidence and ability to apply your academic and work-place capabilities to professional situations. WIL also offers opportunities for you to appreciate the range of work areas of the social work profession and to identify the range of employers when you begin to look for professional employment.

The specific WIL courses in this program are:

  • Social Work Field Education 1 (HWSS1137)
  • Social Work Field Education 2 (HWSS1143)
  • Professional Practices in Psychology (BESC1453)

BESC1453, Professional Practices in Psychology, is a simulated WIL course of the psychology component of the degree. The course provides students with theoretical and practical skills associated with work. You will explore organisational responsibilities (such as professional ethics) and develop fundamental job skills. This 12 credit point course enables you to also explore diversity in the work environment. 

Academic Requirements for Social Work Field Education

Pre-requisite Courses

For Social Work Field Education 1 (HWSS1137), the pre-requisite course is: Casework and Advocacy (HWSS1135).  
For Social Work Field Education 2 (HWSS1143), the pre-requisite courses are: Social Work Field Education 1 (HWSS1137) and Community Work (HWSS1139). 

Non-Academic Requirements for Social Work Field Education

Police Check

Social Work requires you to complete a police check prior to undertaking placement and submit evidence to the School at least two weeks prior to your placement. Please refer to the HWSS1137 & HWSS1143 course guides for further information. 

Working With Children Check (WWCC)

Social Work requires you to complete a WWCC prior to undertaking placement and submit evidence to the School at least two weeks prior to your placement. Please refer to the HWSS1137 & HWSS1143 course guides for further information. 

Immunisations

Some placements in clinical settings may require students to get certain immunisations. Further details would be provided during the placement allocation process if an organisation did require immunisations. 

Pre-placement Readiness Activities for Social Work Field Education

In order to be eligible for placement allocation, you must complete several activities including attending briefings and submitting an updated CV prior to your enrolment in Social Work Field Education 1 HWSS1137 and Social Work Field Education 2 HWSS1143.

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Program Structure

For students who commence their study in this program from 1 January 2016 onwards, please note that some courses listed in this structure will have their course marks count toward your program's weighted average mark. Your weighted average mark will determine the honours level of your award once you have completed the program. If a course counts toward your weighted average mark, that fact will be stated in its course guide. In Enrolment Online, after you completed your course enrolment, you will be notified which of the enrolled courses will count toward the weighted average mark.
 

For more information about the weighted average mark, please click here

To graduate you must complete the following: 

All courses listed may not be available each semester.

 

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Year One of Program

Complete the following Eight (8) Courses: Semester One:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Australian Society in a Global Context 12 HUSO1207 City Campus
Foundations of Psychology 12 BESC1126 City Campus
History and Trends in Social Work 12 HWSS2090 City Campus
Power and Governance 12 POLI1025 City Campus
AND
Semester Two:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Ethics and Reflexive Practice 12 HWSS2164 City Campus
Social Work Practice 12 HWSS2091 City Campus
Principles of Psychology 12 BESC1123 City Campus
Intercultural Communication 12 SOCU1025 City Campus
 
AND

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Year Two of Program

Complete the following Eight (8) Courses: Semester One:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Critical Approaches to Social Work 12 HWSS1133 City Campus
Developmental Psychology 12 BESC1182 City Campus
Indigenous Studies 12 HUSO1296 City Campus
Biological Psychology 12 BESC1190 City Campus
AND
Semester Two:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Casework and Advocacy 12 HWSS1135 City Campus
Cognitive Psychology 12 BESC1178 City Campus
Social Psychology 12 BESC1186 City Campus
Mental Health and Wellbeing 12 HUSO1298 City Campus
 
AND

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Year Three of Program

Complete the following Six (6) Courses. Semester One:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Research Methods in Psychology 12 BESC1449 City Campus
Public Policy 12 POLI1066 City Campus
Group Work Theory and Practice 12 HWSS2093 City Campus
Foundations of Social Research 12 HUSO2166 City Campus
AND
Semester Two:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Social Work Field Education 1 36 HWSS1137 City Campus
Working with Violence and Abuse 12 HWSS2158 City Campus
 
AND

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Year Four of Program

Complete the following Six (6) Courses: Semester One:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Professional Practices and Cross-Cultural Psychology 12 BESC1453 City Campus
Philosophy and Methodology of Psychology 12 BESC1437 City Campus
AND
Semester Two:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Critical Social Work with Families 12 HWSS2092 City Campus
Law for Social Work Practice 12 HWSS2163 City Campus
Psychological Assessment and Individual Differences 12 BESC1433 City Campus
Psychopathology and Models of Intervention 12 BESC1445 City Campus
AND
Select and Complete One (1) of the following APAC Option Course:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Psychology of Gender 12 BESC1441 City Campus
Forensic Psychology 12 BESC1429 City Campus
AND
{
Select and Complete One (1) Program Option Course. Please refer to the list of Program Option courses at the end of this program structure.
OR
Select and Complete One (1) Course from any:
University Elective
OR
Complete the following One (1) Course:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Research Strategies (Honours) 12 HUSO1222 City Campus
 
AND

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Year Five of Program

{
Complete the following Six (6) Courses. Semester One:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Community Work 12 HWSS1139 City Campus
Program Management and Evaluation 12 HWSS1141 City Campus
Influencing Policy 12 POLI1038 City Campus
Social Work Honours Project 1 12 HWSS2204 City Campus
AND
Semester Two:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Social Work Honours Project 2 12 HWSS2205 City Campus
Social Work Field Education 2 36 HWSS1143 City Campus
}
OR
{
Complete the following Six (6) Courses. Semester One:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Community Work 12 HWSS1139 City Campus
Influencing Policy 12 POLI1038 City Campus
Program Management and Evaluation 12 HWSS1141 City Campus
Social Work Honours Thesis 1 12 HWSS2222 City Campus
AND
Semester Two:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Social Work Honours Thesis 2 12 HWSS2223 City Campus
Social Work Field Education 2 36 HWSS1143 City Campus
}
 
AND

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Program Option Courses

List of Program Option Courses:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Alcohol and Other Drugs, Interventions and Complex Needs 12 HWSS2171 City Campus
Homelessness: Contemporary Themes, Policy and Practice 12 HWSS2227 City Campus
 

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Program transition plan

The program structure of Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) has been amended and the following changes applied in Semester 1, 2024:

Replacement of HWSS2218 Field Education Integrated Learning 1 (12cp) and HWSS2220 Field Education A (24cp) with HWSS1137 Social Work Field Education 1 (36cp)
Replacement of HWSS2219 Field Education Integrated Learning 2 (12cp) and HWSS2221 Field Education B (24cp) with HWSS1143 Social Work Field Education 2 (36cp)

Current students that are commencing year 3 in 2024 will now complete HWSS1137 Social Work Field Education 1 (36cp). 
Students that completed HWWSS2218 Field Education Integrated Learning 1 and HWSS2220 Field Education A in 2023 will be required to undertake HWSS1143 Social Work Field Education 2 in 2024. 

If you commenced the program prior to these changes, you will not be disadvantaged, and all approved courses undertaken previously will contribute toward your qualification. You will not be required to complete extra credit points or incur any extra costs because of these changes. Academic advice will be made available to you and an enrolment plan provided to you on request.

If you are undertaking a reduced load, are on Leave of Absence (LOA), or have deferred studies, you will not be disadvantaged by the change of program structure.

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