You may have heard that UWA has just launched the new Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) and will be enrolling new students from February 2024.
If you’re interested in making a positive impact in the wellbeing of individuals, organisations and communities, this is the course for you.
But what makes this course different to other undergraduate Social Work degrees?
We sat down with Dr Stephan Lund, Head of Social Work and Associate Professor to ask this exact question. His key unique points below.
1. A degree built in collaboration with industry
“The exciting thing about our new Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) course, is that it’s been built from the ground up. We’ve collaborated with our industry and placement partners to ensure this course prepares our students for the workforce”.
Our dedicated and award-winning educators have years of expertise in Social Work, both through teaching the Postgraduate Master of Social Work at UWA and working in the field. We’ve equipped graduates the qualification for a successful career and now we’re excited to extend our valuable experience and knowledge to an undergraduate degree.
2. Learning Experience
“The course has been developed with our Lived Experience Educators and First Nations staff and consultants. People who have used Social Work services have helped design the course and will be part of the teaching team, highlighting what works in social work services, and how to best address the needs of the most vulnerable, in a practical, strengths-focussed way."
Our student engagement officers will help you navigate the complexity of the social work world, and you will have great academic support and pastoral care throughout your degree.
3. Get practical experience
With our course, you’ll get the opportunity to complete 1,000 hours of field education placements – to ensure you are equipped to enter the workforce as soon as you graduate.
“The 1000 hours of field placement doing ‘real’ social work in agencies prepares students for the challenges of the profession and can often lead to a job!”
Our Field Education team will work with you on one-on-one to find you a placement that fits with your career goals and preferences. We have a range of industry and placement partners in social work agencies, government, non-government rural and more. This includes schools, hospitals and community agencies such as Palmerston Association, Anglicare WA, Headspace and some amazing opportunities in regional, rural and remote areas.
4. Study online or on campus
“The opportunity to study either online or on campus will make this course accessible for students from all over Australia. Social work is one of the fastest growing areas of employment and the sector is desperate for graduates. Which is why we’ve chosen to offer this course online or on campus – to help fill the gap and provide an accessible course to rural and remote areas. “For those studying online we will hold residential hubs in regional locations around WA, depending on where our students are located. So, you can have academic support face-to-face close to home without the need to travel to Perth. Our staff will come to you!”
Applications are now open for the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
To find out more about the admission requirements or admission pathway options visit the course page. Alternatively, you can contact our friendly Future Students team for more info.
