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Southern Cross University

Graduate Certificate in Social Sciences for Social Work

  • Delivery: Face to Face
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 6 months

Offers a dynamic foundation for aspiring social workers, blending practical insights with critical theory to prepare students for meaningful, community-focused careers.

Course overview

 This course is an ideal pathway for graduates of disciplines other than social or behavioural sciences who wish to undertake the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) to become a social worker.

Students will explore concepts and theories related to human behaviour and development, sociology, disadvantage, human rights, social justice, social policy and social welfare as they build a solid academic foundation for their postgraduate studies in social work and future careers as social workers.

Key facts

Delivery
Face to Face
Study level
Postgraduate
Course type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
6 months (Full time)
Units
4
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.
FEE-HELP
Intake
July, 2026
October, 2026

What you will study

To gain the Graduate Certificate in Social Sciences for Social Work award, students must complete four units or 48 credit points. Each unit is worth 12 credit points.

Core units

  • Human Behaviour and Development
  • Australian Society and Disadvantage
  • Political Systems and Social Policy
  • Australian Social Welfare in a Global Context

Entry requirements

Students admitted are required to have completed a relevant three-year AQF Level 7 degree.

English language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows:

  • Overall Score: 6.5
  • Reading: Minimum 6.0
  • Writing: Minimum 6.0
  • Listening: Minimum 6.0
  • Speaking: Minimum 6.0

Recognition of Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

For more information, contact the university or visit their website.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

  • Critically analyse theoretical concepts from the social and behavioural sciences and their relevance to social work in Australia.
  • Critically analyse and apply knowledge of social and behavioural sciences to Australian social work practice in diverse communities and contexts.
  • Reflexively evaluate and communicate to others how social work can draw on social and behavioural sciences knowledge to support critical reflective practice.
  • Critically analyse and apply knowledge of social and behavioural sciences to Australian social work practice in diverse communities and contexts.
  • Demonstrate autonomy, integrity and proficiency in academic work.
  • Critically analyse theoretical concepts from the social and behavioural sciences and their relevance to social work in Australia.
  • Critically analyse and apply knowledge of social and behavioural sciences to Australian social work practice in diverse communities and contexts.
  • Demonstrate autonomy, integrity and proficiency in academic work.
  • Reflexively evaluate and communicate to others how social work can draw on social and behavioural sciences knowledge to support critical reflective practice.
  • Critically analyse and apply knowledge of social and behavioural sciences to Australian social work practice in diverse communities and contexts.
  • Critically analyse theoretical concepts from the social and behavioural sciences and their relevance to social work in Australia.

Career outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) qualify as social workers in Australia and are eligible for membership in the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). They may also be eligible to apply to work as social workers overseas.

Graduates of the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) will be suited to employment in a wide range of jobs in the health and community services sectors. Social workers are employed in organisations such as Centrelink, public and private hospitals, child protection agencies, Australian Defence Force, domestic violence services, housing and homelessness agencies, aged care and disability services, mental health agencies, family counselling agencies and rehabilitation services.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Fee information is not available.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

  • The number of units studied.
  • Choice of units.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students.