- Overview
- Learning outcomes
- Program delivery and structure
BH106 - Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
Plan: BH106SOSDD - Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) /Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
Campus: City Campus
Program delivery and structure
Approach to learning and assessmentWork integrated learningProgram structureProgram transition planApproach to learning and assessment
Learning and Teaching Approaches
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.
This program includes a range of Industry Partnered Learning (IPL) activities, where you will have the opportunity to participate in authentic industry and community engaged activities and tasks to support your professional development and career planning. These IPL experiences may include Career Development Learning (CDL), Industry Embedded Activities (IEA) such as guest speakers and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement and project activities.
Assessment
The assessment approach in this program is active, authentic, and applied. It offers you opportunities to showcase your developed capabilities and the achievement of learning outcomes in each area. Throughout the program, you'll engage in various assessment methods that involve performing tasks reflective of real-world scenarios. These assessments will test your knowledge, skills, and attitudes, applying them to contemporary work and life situations. Each course's assessments are tailored to its specific course learning outcomes.
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.
Assessment is designed in accordance with Assessment and Assessment Flexibility Policy.
Inherent Requirements
The following information on inherent requirements outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional placement and on-campus learning activities. The non-academic abilities listed are provided for information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
Some fundamental tasks, skills and capabilitiesfor this program include:
- verbal and non-verbal communication skills, including presentation
- reading, writing and number skills
- concentration, memory and problem solving
- mental wellness and behavioural stability
Please read the full list of the [name of program] inherent requirements here.
By understanding the types of inherent requirement activities you’ll participate in, you can:
- understand more about the program
- determine if you may need support during your studies
- make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you
If you are living with a disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies. To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Service. The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in on-campus learning and professional experience settings.
RMIT provides a range of student support services available for all students. There is information about these services on the RMIT University Support and Services website.
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.
Top of pageWork 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.
Some 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 workplace 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) and Groupwork Theory and Practice (HWSS2093)
For Social Work Field Education 2 (HWSS1143), the pre-requisite courses are: Social Work Field Education 1 (HWSS1137), Critical Social Work with Families (HWSS2092),and Community Work (HWSS1139)
Non-Academic Requirements for Social Work Field Education
Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check
Social Work requires you to complete a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History 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.
Top of pageProgram 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 |
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Year Two of Program |
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Year Three of Program |
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| Complete the following Six (6) Courses. Semester One: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year Four of Program |
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| Complete the following One (1) APAC Option Course: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Select and Complete One (1) Program Option Course. Please refer to the list of Program Option courses at the end of this program structure. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Select and Complete One (1) Course from any: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University Elective | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| If you are taking the Honours Thesis Pathway, Complete the following One (1) Course: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year Five of Program |
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| Applied Research Pathway: Complete the following Six (6) (96 credit points) Courses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Honours Thesis Pathway: Complete the following Six (6) Courses (96 credit points): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Program Option Courses |
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Program transition plan
2025
The program structure of BH106 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) has been amended and the following changes applied in Semester 1, 2025:
- Replacement of HWSS2204 Social Work Honours Project 1 (12cp) with HWSS2263 Research for Social Work Practice (12cp)
- Replacement of HWSS2205 Social Work Honours Project 2 (12cp) with HWSS2254 Trauma Informed Social Work Practice (12cp)
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 will be 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.
2024
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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