Bachelor of Arts (Rural Social Welfare)

Assessment (Internat.) 

Assignments, essays, class presentations, role plays, exams, fieldwork practicum.
 
Outline 

The Bachelor of Arts (Rural Social Welfare) provides major studies in welfare theory and practice. This course will prepare you for employment in a wide variety of welfare and social services in government and non-government agencies. While generic skills are developed, attention is given to the complexities of working in non-urban areas in welfare and community work positions. Intensive studies and skill development in the areas of individual and family counselling, group work, community work practice, public policy analysis and human service management are included. A feature of the course is the 15-week practical fieldwork experience in welfare agencies. In addition to your welfare major, you will also choose a major in psychology or the social sciences. Graduates may also continue onto postgraduate studies in psychology or education as well as welfare.
 
Career Opportunities 

As a graduate of this course, you will be qualified to work in many fields of welfare practice in the social and community services industry such as welfare work and community work. Accreditation is Australia-wide. Recent graduates have found employment opportunities in the areas of child protection, youth work, corrections, local government, aged, disability, women's services, housing and homelessness, and counselling.
 
RPL and Credit Transfer 

International students wishing to apply for RPL and Credit Transfer are required to provide syllabus of previous study undertaken at time of applying for course. Not all courses offer RPL and Credit Transfer. Contact the International Student Programs office at international@ballarat.edu.au
 
Objectives 

Successful completion of this course will give you the foundation, knowledge and skills to:
- Possess theoretical and practical skills in analysis and an understanding of human behaviour, social functioning of individuals, families and communities
- Analyse and examine critically the effects of existing social structures and organisations upon welfare services and clients with particular emphasis on the rural context
- Be well-prepared for professional positions in the social and community services industry, particularly in rural areas
- Articulate into other professional training or postgraduate studies
 
Requirements 

This course requires you to undertake a major in Rural Social Welfare of 165 credit points, including two fieldwork placements in the social and community services industry. You are also required to choose a major of at least 90 credit points from one of the disciplines of Psychology, Human Behaviour and Social Sciences. The Psychology major is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Application Method 

International students currently studying VCE in Victoria (Australia) are required to apply through VTAC. All other international students applying for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees are required to apply through the University of Ballarat's International Student Programs office. All international students applying for Higher Degrees by Research are required to apply through the Research & Graduate Studies Office.
 
Applicants to this course should download the Confidential Student Report Form available at .www.ballarat.edu.au/ard/bssh/courses.shtml and ask two academic staff members who you know well to complete this form and return to the Post Graduate Co-Ordinator, School of Behavioural & Social Sciences & Humanities by 10 November, 2007.

International students must meet the following basic entry requirements (see below):

• Academic entry requirements
  

• English language entry requirements
  

• At least 18 years of age at the time of the student’s proposed commencement of studies at the university