Graduate Certificate in Social Science
Graduate Certificate in Social Science
Suitability Applicants who have been assessed for the MSW(Q) and only require to complete the Graduate Certificate for entry. Units Sociology for Social Work This unit focuses on introducing students to central concepts and theories in sociology and their relevance for social work. It provides for the use of critical…
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
Suitability
Applicants who have been assessed for the MSW(Q) and only require to complete the Graduate Certificate for entry.
Units
Sociology for Social Work
This unit focuses on introducing students to central concepts and theories in sociology and their relevance for social work. It provides for the use of critical thinking to explore social issues and how these impact service users. It introduces students to the founding theorists in sociology and the impact of these on our understanding of society. The unit explores our understanding of social stratification including key concepts of class, gender, ethnicity, family, youth, work etc.
Psychology for Social Work
The unit provides students with an introduction to psychology and the key theories central to social work practice. The importance of developmental psychology for social work is outlined. The unit also focuses on theory of life course, temperament, and attachment; learning theories (classical and operant conditioning) memory; personality; social psychology; motivation; and abnormal psychology.
Social and Political Institutions in Australia
This unit is to provide students with an introduction to the key social and political institutions in Australia. While Australia was in essence ‘born’ a modern democracy, becoming a nation on January 1, 1901, it had both a long history of Aboriginal sovereignty and colonial invasion. Australia developed its social and political institutions within the framework of British traditions, laws, and perspectives. Australia also borrowed heavily from other democracies, particularly the USA. The unit will examine the formal political institutions that characterise Australia, focusing on the Australian Constitution, Parliament, the High Court, role of the Governor-General, Federal–State relations, etc. It will also focus on the social institutions that provide the basic framework for our wellbeing – education, health, housing, social security, employment, personal and community security.
Critical Thinking and Reflection in Social Work
This unit is designed to introduce students to concepts of critical thinking and self-reflection in the context of social work. This unit will provide them with the skills, tools and sets of knowledge to understand, identify, and work through the cultural, gendered, and political framework which underpins the context of learning. Studying social work requires that students are able to utilise self-reflection and demonstrate awareness of this practice and how it impacts both their direct and indirect practice, how these practices enhance their learning and development, and how these practices steer them towards strategies for exploring complex ideas. The unit will specifically focus on the cultural and gender issues that exist in learning and will provide a forum for students to work through these in preparing for their social work course. Students will develop insight and specific skills to develop the ability to undertake both self-reflection and critical analysis.
REQUIREMENTS
Three-year Bachelor (AQF Level 7) degree
Applicants whose qualifying undergraduate degree studies were taken in a language other than English will be required to demonstrate English Language proficiency. Applicants must have an IELTS of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 or equivalent English Language proficiency test results.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
Established in 1983, Excelsia College is one of Australia’s leading Christian higher education providers based in Macquarie Park. We are an innovative and creative community of people who are passionate about excelling and growing academically, professionally, personally and spiritually. We offer a variety of courses across business, counselling, creative and performing arts, education and social work. Our students and alumni embark on a journey of lifelong learning and leadership.Excelsia is a community where people excel, are inspired and challenged by our motto ‘Participare Lumen’ (Share the Light) to benefit our world as we share the light of Christ and benefit of higher education within the world. Our educators seek to walk alongside each student on their unique and individual learning journey. With smaller classroom settings, students get to know their classmates and lecturers better and become part of the community.Excelsia promotes and fosters quality in teaching and learning through the implementation of our vision, mission, and institutional values. We provide academic skills support and pastoral support in the form of Mission Engagement Coordinators as well as free counselling services to our students. We also run student-led events throughout the year coordinated by our Student Representative Council (SRC).In the 2022 QILT Student Experience Survey (SES), 83.1 per cent of undergraduate students had a positive overall experience, higher than the national average of 75.9 per cent. Excelsia College has also achieved great results in undergraduate skills development, rating at 88.9 per cent, and teaching quality, rating 88.6 per cent. We are proud to have over 58 nationalities represented at our College, including the Philippines, Singapore, Nepal and India. Over 80 per cent of our students speak a language other than English.Within many of our courses, students undertake practical training in the form of placement opportunities so they can go out as confident, innovative individuals prepared to make a difference in their selected field.CRICOS provider number: 02664KTEQSA provider ID: PRV12064
