Confront social problems and help to improve people’s quality of life. If you’d like to help others resolve social problems, as well as further human rights, social justice and social development, then VU’s Bachelor of Social Work could be for you. This course will give you in-depth understanding of: interpersonal and group work community development policy analysis social research social action. You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to develop the potential of individuals, groups and communities – and during your course, you’ll put these insights to use across two industry-based placements. This training and expertise will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career in a number of settings from federal and state government or hospitals to non-government or community organisations. You’ll graduate as a professional social worker, equipped with the skills to truly change people’s lives for the better, and you will be eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Workplace learning Social Work Field Education is an essential part of this degree. You’ll complete two industry-based placements in different human service agency settings, under the supervision of experienced social workers. Careers in social work VU graduates typically find employment within not-for-profit and charitable organisations, as well as the community and government sectors. Roles include: social worker community health centre counsellor youth worker drug and alcohol worker homelessness policy officer. If you’d like to pursue further study, you can complete an honours thesis in your final year to graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours). Course structure To attain the Bachelor of Social Work, students will be required to complete 384 credit points, consisting of: 96 credit points of First Year Core studies; Learning outcomes 1. Articulate and contextualise the role and value of social work in the community and prepare for professional social work practice; 2. Analyse and apply knowledge from related disciplines including the humanities and social sciences that informs social work; 3. Investigate how society has developed and is organised; 4. Critically analyse knowledge that enables students to broaden their understanding of themselves and the world; 5. Appraise knowledge and understanding of social welfare in the Australian context, emphasising origins, ideological bases, power relations, development, functions, contradictions, and administrative forms; 6. Critique social work theory and the historical development of social work and of social work practice, including its scope and limitations, its internal debates, and its interrelationship with other bodies of knowledge; 7. Appraise the origins, manifestations, dynamics, causes and consequences of social inequality and oppression; 8. Exemplify purposeful and ethical use of skills within a wide range of social work roles and methods of intervention necessary for the elimination of social inequality and obstacles to social functioning. 9. Exhibit intellectual inquisitiveness, creative problem-solving skills, reflective practice, and proper use of a range of research methods, including a facility for critical questioning, and a goal of life-long learning..