Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services)
Human service professionals are concerned with social problems. In
particular, they are involved in the development and provision of services
for individuals, families, groups and communities who experience
disadvantage and/or personal and social difficulties.
The Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services) focuses on the behavioural and social sciences, human service practice, human service management and social policy.
- Program information
- What will I study?
- What does it take?
- Who will employ me?
- Professional recognition
- Field Education
Please send your enquiries to swp.enquiries@unisa.edu.au or enquire online
Program Director
Mr Harry Savelsberg
School of Social Work and Social Policy
Tel : +61 8 830 24319
Email: Harry.Savelsberg@unisa.edu.au
What will I study?
While the first-and second-year courses are consistent with the Bachelor of Social Work, this program differs through its strong emphasis on human service management. Students will focus on the management of effective service delivery at both individual and project level, on policy and program analysis, and on the social and behavioural sciences.
This program is designed to produce professional human service workers who can be effective in demanding environments. To prepare students for work in these environments, the program includes consistent participation in a wide range of potentially challenging classroom, assessment and field placement activities.
Students of this program are required to undertake 500 hours of supervised work placement, which enables them to develop a working knowledge of specific human services areas.
What does it take?
Human service professionals must have well developed interpersonal skills, sound analytical and evaluation skills, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team in a variety of demanding contexts. A strong interest in, and commitment to, social justice and ethical action is also required.
Who will employ me?
Human service graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects and typically develop quickly into leadership and management positions. Graduates may work in a wide range of service fields including family and youth services, aged care, community development, correctional services, disability services, rehabilitation services, mental health services, unemployment services and government departments.
Human service graduates may be employed as case managers, community workers, counsellors, project officers or managers, policy development officers, policy advocates, community development officers or researchers
Professional recognition
The program is recognised by the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers.
The Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers Inc. (AIWCW) is the professional association for Bachelor of Social Science (Human Service) graduates.
AIWCW is the recognised professional body for welfare and community workers in Australia and was founded in 1969. It represents at a national and state level the interests of welfare and community workers employed within government departments, non-government social welfare agencies, self help groups, commercial and industrial enterprises.
The institute is a means by which welfare and community workers can come together through national and branch meetings, enabling them to share and benefit from their combined knowledge and experience.
AIWCW has played a major role in the establishment of formalised training for welfare and community workers and is generally recognised as the body for registration and accreditation of courses designed to meet the training needs of the welfare and community worker profession.
For more information contact: 03 9654 8287
Field Education
In the MBSS program, there are two Field Education courses comprising placement in the human service field and University based workshops and tutorial groups.
The aim of the Field Education courses is to enable the student to develop skills and knowledge in specified areas of human service practice and to consolidate personal identity and presentation as a competent human service worker. As such, these courses may only be taken in the final year of a student's program of study after successful completion of all 1st and 2nd year courses.
Human Service Field Education A (WELF3013) is a twenty day placement in Study Period 2 of Year 3. Placement occurs between weeks 4 and 13 of the semester, following a series of three weekly, preparatory workshops. As a first placement it is designed to expose students to the nature of human service work, or for students with a background of work in the field to experience a different human service setting. The course aims to encourage the development or expansion of identity as a human service worker.
Human Service Field Education B (WELF3014) is a forty day placement in Study Period 5 of Year 3. This is an opportunity for students to pursue particular, more specific areas of interest and future employment. The focus of this second placement is on the development of the student as a professional human service worker.
Please note the following:
- Some work placement require a current driver's licence and a recognised First Aid Certificate
- Prior to placements, all students are required to undertake training
on Child Safe Environments: Report Child Abuse and Neglect
(formerly known as Mandated Notification Training) - All students preparing for placement will require evidence of a current police check before commencing placement
Click here for more information on Field Education placement