Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Social Work

The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of social work combined degree program comprises a total of 440 units over the two degrees - 280 units in the Social Work degree and 160 units in the Arts degree, undertaken over five and a half years of full-time study or part-time equivalent. Applicants must have successfully completed one year of prescribed courses in the Bachelor of Social Work program with a credit grade average to apply for entry into the combined degree.

A combined degree in Arts and Social Work will allow you to broaden and extend your knowledge. Studying the Arts can teach you how to think analytically, how to question and synthesise information and can be generalised or as specialised as you would like it to be. There are currently more than 20 majors at the University of Newcastle and it is one of the few Universities offering Greek and Latin.

The Social Work program integrates theory, practice and social work values and emphasis is placed on properly planned, organised and supported field education placements. Students complete core courses in social work, other specified courses in history, law, philosophy, psychology, sociology and anthropology, and electives. The program also offers a total of 140 days (980 hours) of supervised field education placements in social work agencies or other organisations. Students undertake a placement in each of second, third and fourth years of the program.

Career opportunities are greatly enhanced by the completion of a combined degree program. Graduates may choose to work the area specific to their arts major or as a professional social worker. Employment may be found in welfare and charitable organisations, hospitals, health centres, social security and welfare departments, probation and parole services, local government and a wide range of community services. Many social workers are also employed in public and social administration or as policy makers in a wide range of government organisations.

Applicants must have successfully completed one year of prescribed courses in the Bachelor of Social Work program with a credit grade average to apply for entry into the combined degree.

Mathematics for those anticipating studying psychology. English Advanced for all other Majors.

Credit transfer agreements with TAFE NSW and other education providers are under continuous negotiation. For more information about articulation arrangements please see the University's website, at: www.newcastle.edu.au/credit/

Awarded on the basis of superior performance in research and thesis components of the social work component of the degree.

In Arts honours is available as an additional year to meritorious students in some of the major study areas.

There is a compulsory 45 day placement in the second and third year; and a compulsory 50 day placement in the fourth year of the degree.

As an undergraduate student you can join the Australian Association of Social Workers (Ltd) as an associate member and become a full member when you graduate.

An approved sequence in Psychology followed by an honours year provides a four-year Australian Psychological Society-accredited program and satisfies the requirements for conditional registration with the NSW Registration Board.

The Faculty of Education and Arts accepts the responsibility for providing reasonable accommodations for international students, in liaison with the International Development Services unit support team, which offers practical assistance and advice to international students.

All new International Students will be provided with an Orientation of the Faculty of Education and Arts and the University at the commencement of each semester.

There is a designated International Students Liaison Officer in all Schools within the Faculty of Education and Arts. This Officer is available to International Students as a representative and also to seek guidance and advice from.

The Faculty of Education and Arts accepts responsibility for providing reasonable accommodations for students with special needs, in liaison with the Student Support Unit, which offers practical assistance and advice to students with a disability or chronic illness.

Field Education is an essential component of the Bachelor of Social Science component of the program. Some field placement settings may present access or other barriers for students with disabilities. If this is likely to be a problem, opportunities are provided for students to discuss appropriate field placement settings with academic staff and for accommodations to be made.

The social work program is an experience-based learning program, which integrates theory, practice and social work values within the degree. Emphasis is placed on self-directed learning and well-planned, supported field education placements. The degree helps you prepare for practice as a professional social worker, working with organisations, groups, families and individuals to address the inequality and promote the well-being of people in society.

The program requires the completion of 440 units comprising:

• 280 units of the Social Work degree.
• 160 units of the Arts degree.

See the structure of the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Social work for further details.

Students who commenced an Arts major before it was deleted are permitted to continue with that major by enrolling in designated courses that are still on offer (available in other majors) or by requesting permission to substitute courses to make up the major requirements if not enough courses are on offer.