Social Work / Law - 4786
Program Summary
Faculty: Faculty of Law
Contact: http://www.law.unsw.edu.au/
Campus: Sydney
Career: Undergraduate
Typical Duration: 6.5 Years
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC Per Semester: 6
Max UOC Per Semester: 27
Min UOC For Award: 312
UAC Code: 426000
ATAR: 99.65 
International Entry Requirements: See International Entry Requirements
Information valid for students commencing 2013.
Students who commenced prior to 2013 should go to the Handbook's Previous Editions
Program Description
This program is for new 2013 commencing students. If you are a continuing student please contact the Faculty of Law for advice.
International Students: please note that there is no mid-year intake for this program.
This concurrent 6.5 years full-time program qualifies students for the professional practice of both social work and law.
The Bachelor of Social Work (UNSW BSW) offers you an innovative and accredited program leading to eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. The BSW proves an opportunity for students to undertake core Social Work courses, which include studies in the areas of social work practice, social and behavioural sciences, and contextual studies.
The Bachelor of Social Work (UNSW BSW) offers you an innovative and accredited program leading to eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. The BSW proves an opportunity for students to undertake core Social Work courses, which include studies in the areas of social work practice, social and behavioural sciences, and contextual studies.
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
Please refer to the program objectives and learning outcomes as listed for the Bachelor of Social Work 4031.
Program Structure
Total Unit Requirements:
Law compulsory courses - 96 UOC
Law prescribed elective - 6 UOC
Law elective courses - 42 UOC
Social Work courses - 168 UOC
Total 312 UOC
The basic requirements for the Social Work degree in dual mode (168 uoc) are:
Program Core (168 UOC)
Level 1
• SOCW1001 Introduction to Social Work (6 UOC)
• SOCW1002 Communication and Social Work (6 UOC)
• SOCW1003 Human Behaviour 1 (6 UOC)
• ARTS1870 Introduction to Sociology and Anthropology (6 UOC)
• ARTS1871 Relationship: Foundational Concept (6 UOC)
• PSYC1001 Psychology 1A
Level 2
• SOCW2001 Human Behaviour 2 (6 UOC)
• SOCW2002 Society and Social Work 1 (6 UOC)
• SOCW2003 SWP: Indiv/Families & Groups 1 (6 UOC)
• SOCW2004 Society and Social Work 2 (6 UOC)
• SOCW2005 Research for Social Work (6 UOC)
• SOCW2006 Soc Work Pract:Community Work (6 UOC)
• SOCW2100 Aboriginal People & Social Wk (6 UOC)
• SOCW2007 Social Work Practice - Bridge (for students exempt from 1st year)
Level 3
• SOCW3001 Soc Work Pract - 3rd Year Prac (12 UOC)
• SOCW3002 SWP: Indiv/Families & Groups 2 (6 UOC)
• SOCW3004 Social Policy 1 (6 UOC)
• SOCW3006 Socio-Legal Practice (6 UOC)
• SOCW3008 Selected Studies 1 (6 UOC)
• SOCW3007 Research Methods 2 (6 UOC)
Level 4
• SOCW4002 SWP in Organisations (6 UOC)
• SOCW4003 Selected Studies 2 (6 UOC)
• SOCW4004 Social Philosophy (6 UOC)
• SOCW4006 Social Policy 2 (6 UOC)
• SOCW4010 Social Work Practice (24 UOC)
Field Education
An integral aspect of the program core is organised learning in the field and this is a basic requirement for the professional recognition of the degree. In the field education courses, a field educator, usually in a social welfare agency, is responsible for a student learning to apply the principles of professional practice in an actual practice setting. From year 3, a total of 140 seven-hour days are taken up in this way. Forty of these days are scheduled during academic recess periods. A student's two field education placements are in more than one type of practice setting. The settings vary and can include medical, psychiatric, local government, community health, community, family and child welfare, services to groups with disabilities, services to the aged, services to migrants, income security, and corrective services. Non-government social welfare agencies and all levels of government are utilised. For some students, their second field education placement may be located outside the Sydney metropolitan area. SOCW3001 and SOCW4010 are the designated field education courses.
Sequencing
Students are advised that progression in the core of the BSW is determined by strict prerequisite requirements.
Award with Distinction
High achieving students who secure a WAM of 75 across their program and who have completed at at least 48 uoc of their program at UNSW are eligible for the award of their Pass Degree "with Distinction".
Law compulsory courses - 96 UOC
Law prescribed elective - 6 UOC
Law elective courses - 42 UOC
Social Work courses - 168 UOC
Total 312 UOC
The basic requirements for the Social Work degree in dual mode (168 uoc) are:
Program Core (168 UOC)
Level 1
• SOCW1001 Introduction to Social Work (6 UOC)
• SOCW1002 Communication and Social Work (6 UOC)
• SOCW1003 Human Behaviour 1 (6 UOC)
• ARTS1870 Introduction to Sociology and Anthropology (6 UOC)
• ARTS1871 Relationship: Foundational Concept (6 UOC)
• PSYC1001 Psychology 1A
Level 2
• SOCW2001 Human Behaviour 2 (6 UOC)
• SOCW2002 Society and Social Work 1 (6 UOC)
• SOCW2003 SWP: Indiv/Families & Groups 1 (6 UOC)
• SOCW2004 Society and Social Work 2 (6 UOC)
• SOCW2005 Research for Social Work (6 UOC)
• SOCW2006 Soc Work Pract:Community Work (6 UOC)
• SOCW2100 Aboriginal People & Social Wk (6 UOC)
• SOCW2007 Social Work Practice - Bridge (for students exempt from 1st year)
Level 3
• SOCW3001 Soc Work Pract - 3rd Year Prac (12 UOC)
• SOCW3002 SWP: Indiv/Families & Groups 2 (6 UOC)
• SOCW3004 Social Policy 1 (6 UOC)
• SOCW3006 Socio-Legal Practice (6 UOC)
• SOCW3008 Selected Studies 1 (6 UOC)
• SOCW3007 Research Methods 2 (6 UOC)
Level 4
• SOCW4002 SWP in Organisations (6 UOC)
• SOCW4003 Selected Studies 2 (6 UOC)
• SOCW4004 Social Philosophy (6 UOC)
• SOCW4006 Social Policy 2 (6 UOC)
• SOCW4010 Social Work Practice (24 UOC)
Field Education
An integral aspect of the program core is organised learning in the field and this is a basic requirement for the professional recognition of the degree. In the field education courses, a field educator, usually in a social welfare agency, is responsible for a student learning to apply the principles of professional practice in an actual practice setting. From year 3, a total of 140 seven-hour days are taken up in this way. Forty of these days are scheduled during academic recess periods. A student's two field education placements are in more than one type of practice setting. The settings vary and can include medical, psychiatric, local government, community health, community, family and child welfare, services to groups with disabilities, services to the aged, services to migrants, income security, and corrective services. Non-government social welfare agencies and all levels of government are utilised. For some students, their second field education placement may be located outside the Sydney metropolitan area. SOCW3001 and SOCW4010 are the designated field education courses.
Sequencing
Students are advised that progression in the core of the BSW is determined by strict prerequisite requirements.
Award with Distinction
High achieving students who secure a WAM of 75 across their program and who have completed at at least 48 uoc of their program at UNSW are eligible for the award of their Pass Degree "with Distinction".
General Education Requirements
Students enrolled in combined law degrees (with exception to Jurisprudence/Law) are not required to complete general education courses.
Honours
Honours in Social Work
The BSW offers an integrated Honours option for high achieving students. It requires the completion of an additional 36 UOC to be undertaken over the Summer and first semester of Level 5. It involves integrated coursework, a seminar and the completion of a thesis. Those students who are considering Honours should submit a formal application at the end of their first semeter at Level 4. The application should be submitted to the BSW Honours Convenor. Entry to Honours requires a WAM of 70 or higher in the core and is subject to resources and the approval of the Head of School. Honours is awarded in three classes (Class 1, Class 2 in two Divisions, and Class 3). If requirements for these classes are not met the Pass degree will be awarded if the student is not already a Graduate of the program.
Students admitted to Honours will complete the following courses:
SOCW3005 Research Honours in place of SOCW3007, and
SOCW4005 Social Policy Honours in place of SOCW4006.
To qualify for the award of the degree with Honours, a student must:
1. be enrolled in or be a Graduate of the Bachelor of Social Work
2. hold a WAM of 70 or higher in the core
3. complete the integrated coursework and seminar requirements (18 UOC)
4. complete a thesis (30 UOC)
The BSW offers an integrated Honours option for high achieving students. It requires the completion of an additional 36 UOC to be undertaken over the Summer and first semester of Level 5. It involves integrated coursework, a seminar and the completion of a thesis. Those students who are considering Honours should submit a formal application at the end of their first semeter at Level 4. The application should be submitted to the BSW Honours Convenor. Entry to Honours requires a WAM of 70 or higher in the core and is subject to resources and the approval of the Head of School. Honours is awarded in three classes (Class 1, Class 2 in two Divisions, and Class 3). If requirements for these classes are not met the Pass degree will be awarded if the student is not already a Graduate of the program.
Students admitted to Honours will complete the following courses:
SOCW3005 Research Honours in place of SOCW3007, and
SOCW4005 Social Policy Honours in place of SOCW4006.
To qualify for the award of the degree with Honours, a student must:
1. be enrolled in or be a Graduate of the Bachelor of Social Work
2. hold a WAM of 70 or higher in the core
3. complete the integrated coursework and seminar requirements (18 UOC)
4. complete a thesis (30 UOC)
Honours in Laws
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) will be awarded with the following levels of Honours:
Honours Class 1
Honours Class 2, Division 1
Honours Class 2, Division 2
To be awarded Honours in Law, students are not required to complete an additional year. Honours in Law is based on academic excellence throughout the degree. There are three criteria relevant for awarding Honours:
• Honours Weighted Average Mark (WAM)
Honours WAM will be calculated using the WAM from core courses as 60 percent of the Honours WAM and the WAM from the prescribed elective courses as 40 percent of Honours WAM.
• Satisfactory performance in written research
To demonstrate satisfactory performance in written research, a student must complete one long substantial piece (i.e. research thesis) or three shorter substantial pieces of research (i.e. 3000 words or more) in their program that is awarded a credit or more.
• Not been found guilty of plagiarism or serious misconduct on more than one occasion and not more than one failure in the law program
For more information, please visit Honours Page on the Law website.
Academic Rules
To qualify for the award of the degree at Pass level, a student must:
1. enrol in the Bachelor of Social Work and complete 168 units of credit;
2. complete the core requirements
Exit Strategies
Students unable to meet the requirements of either SOCW3001 or SOCW4010 may exit the program and enrol in the Bachelor of Welfare Studies. It should be noted that this program does not provide eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Security Checks
It is a requirement that students who are undertaking placements in certain government departments and related organisations undergo a criminal record check
Professional Recognition
Graduates with the degree of Bachelor of Social Work from UNSW are eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
For Academic Rules relating to the Bachelor of Laws
For Academic Rules relating to the Bachelor of Laws component of this combined degree program, please refer to program 4701. Although 4701 program is no longer on offer, all combined law students enrolled in the LLB will need to comply with the rules stated here.
A direct link is given below:
Bachelor of Laws 4701
1. enrol in the Bachelor of Social Work and complete 168 units of credit;
2. complete the core requirements
Exit Strategies
Students unable to meet the requirements of either SOCW3001 or SOCW4010 may exit the program and enrol in the Bachelor of Welfare Studies. It should be noted that this program does not provide eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Security Checks
It is a requirement that students who are undertaking placements in certain government departments and related organisations undergo a criminal record check
Professional Recognition
Graduates with the degree of Bachelor of Social Work from UNSW are eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
For Academic Rules relating to the Bachelor of Laws
For Academic Rules relating to the Bachelor of Laws component of this combined degree program, please refer to program 4701. Although 4701 program is no longer on offer, all combined law students enrolled in the LLB will need to comply with the rules stated here.
A direct link is given below:
Bachelor of Laws 4701
Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html
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