Course Overview

About This Course

This is an applied degree pathway which links theory to practice, and contains two field education placements. There will be a strong focus on practice for students who wish to pursue a career in social work, community corrections, or other sectors of the criminal justice system, including private providers as well as the not-for-profit sector. You will undertake total to 1008 hours of field placements for both programs. g. Working with Children Check, National Criminal Record check. Any students participating in placement with programs in NSW Health facilities will need to comply with its Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases policy prior to placement. This dual degree combines a critical perspective on theories and practices from social work and criminology. The Associate Degree in Social Science (exit) is an early exit point from the Bachelor of Social Work. Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points of Social Work subjects. This program is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and graduates are eligible for membership of the AASW. Offered as a Bachelor Degree qualification of 400 credit points, it is normally completed in 5 years full-time and 10 years part-time.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Sydney

Level 4, 255 Elizabeth St, Sydney, NSW 2000

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

Duration

Full Time: 5 Years (Available Part Time)*

Intakes

Autumn 2027 (starts 01 March 2027)

Study Mode

Full Time / Part Time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

English Language Proficiency: International students who have not completed a Year 12 or equivalent secondary school level qualification or higher qualification in the English language consistent with the requirements for admission to AQF Level 7 degree courses in Australia must have a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in each component (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or equivalent.
True Reward: Students can apply via the HSC True Reward Program: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/application-pathways/hsc-true-reward Students can apply via WSU’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway Program overseen by the Office of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Engagement and Advancement) https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/application-pathways/hsc-true-reward

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of this degree, you can look forward to a broad range of exciting career opportunities in different sectors and industries. Below are some examples of the possible careers you can pursue with this degree:

Juvenile Justice and probation (Community Corrections)
Counselling
Group work
Community work and community development
Research and social policy

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

AASW

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units36 units

CULT1024

Introduction to Criminal Justice

Core — 10 credit points

WELF3006

Family Violence: Policy and Practice

Core — 10 credit points

WELF4007

Practice skills for social work

Core — 10 credit points

WELF4006

Ideologies of Practice in Social Work

Core — 10 credit points

HUMN2078

Curiosity Didn't Kill the Cat: Researching towards Social Change

Core — 10 credit points

WELF2002

Community Work & Development

Core — 10 credit points

CULT3018

Perspectives in Criminology

Core — 10 credit points

CULT1017

Understanding Society

Core — 10 credit points

CULT3001

Applied Social Research

Core — 10 credit points

WELF2006

Fields of Practice 1

Core — 10 credit points

CULT2017

Youth Justice and Practice

Core — 10 credit points

BEHV2008

Mental Health in the Community

Core — 10 credit points

WELF4001

Contemporary Social Work Practice

Core — 10 credit points

CULT2005

Ethics in the Social Sciences

Core — 10 credit points

WELF3014

Social Work and Social Policy

Core — 10 credit points

WELF2001

Community Management and Organisations

Core — 10 credit points

HUMN1060

Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies

Core — 10 credit points

WELF3020

Field Education 1

Core — 20 credit points

JUST3002

Assessment and Treatment of Offenders

Core — 10 credit points

WELF4008

Professional Decision Making in Social Work

Core — 10 credit points

WELF2017

Working with Individuals and Families

Core — 10 credit points

WELF3009

Managing Offenders in the Community

Core — 10 credit points

WELF1003

Human Services Intervention Strategies

Core — 10 credit points

WELF1002

Context of Human Services

Core — 10 credit points

CULT3025

Prisons, Punishment and Criminal Justice

Core — 10 credit points

WELF4005

Field Education 2

Core — 30 credit points

WELF3001

Child Abuse as a Social Issue

Core — 10 credit points

WELF2008

Human Rights, Human Services and the Law

Core — 10 credit points

HUMN2015

Community and Social Action

Core — 10 credit points

WELF2007

Group Work in Social Work

Core — 10 credit points

WELF2010

Lifespan Development and the Human Services

Core — 10 credit points

BEHV1021

The Individual in Society

Core — 10 credit points

CULT1005

Crime, Deviance and Society

Core — 10 credit points

WELF3013

Social Work and Health

Core — 10 credit points

CULT1022

Working with Cultural Differences

Core — 10 credit points

JUST3014

Creating Criminal Justice Solutions

Core — 10 credit points

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours of field placement will I need to complete?

You will undertake a total of 1008 hours of field placements for both programs. The degree contains two field education placements, linking theory to practice.

Is this degree accredited by any professional body?

Yes, this program is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and graduates are eligible for membership of the AASW.

What are the indicative fees for this course?

The indicative annual fee from a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is $11,885. A Commonwealth Supported Place is subsidised by the Commonwealth Government, which pays part of your fees, with the remaining amount (your Student Contribution) paid by you. Fee estimates are indicative only and subject to change.

What career opportunities are available after completing this degree?

Graduates can pursue careers in Juvenile Justice and probation (Community Corrections), Counselling, Group work, Community work and community development, and Research and social policy, across private providers as well as the not-for-profit sector.

Are there any special requirements I need to meet before going on placement?

Yes, students participating in placement programs must meet government requirements such as a Working with Children Check and a National Criminal Record check. Additionally, any students participating in placement with programs in NSW Health facilities will need to comply with its Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases policy prior to placement.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

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Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $60,000 to $77,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $77,000 to $90,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $90,000 to $105,000 per year

Career Paths

Child Protection Practitioner / CaseworkerHospital Social WorkerMental Health Social WorkerAged Care Social WorkerDisability Support Coordinator (NDIS)

Key Skills

Case management and client assessmentCrisis intervention and risk assessmentCounselling and active listening techniquesCommunity development and capacity buildingSocial policy analysis and advocacy

Full Course Overview

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Bachelor of Criminal and Community Justice/Bachelor of Social Work

About This Course

Available Locations

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Entry Requirements

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

Hear From the Students