Bachelor of Criminal and Community Justice/Bachelor of Social Work (1713)
- Approved Abbreviation: BCrim&CtyJust/BSW
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 1713
- AQF Level: 7
CRICOS Code: 088186B
This program applies to students who commenced in 2015 or later.
Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.
Commencement Year 2014 - 1713.1 Bachelor of Criminal and Community Justice/Bachelor of Social Work
This dual degree combines a critical perspective on theories and practices from social work, as well as criminology. There is a strong focus on practice for students who wish to pursue a career in social work, community corrections, or other sectors of the criminal justice system, including private providers as well as the not for profit sector included in probations. It is an applied degree pathway, and links theory to practice, and contains two field education placements.
The Associate Degree in Social Science (exit) is an early exit point from the Bachelor of Social Work. As detailed below, qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points of Social Work subjects.
The Diploma in Social Science Studies (exit) is an early exit point from the Bachelor of Social Work. As detailed below, qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points of Social Work subjects.
Early Exits
Students may exit this program on completion of 160 credit points with a 1918 Associate Degree in Social Science (exit only) or on completion of 80 credit points with a 1919 Diploma in Social Science Studies (exit only).
Students may exit the double degree with the 1709 Bachelor of Criminal and Community Justice on completion of 240 credit points as specified in Bachelor Criminal and Community Justice program. https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au/programs/bachelor-criminal-community-justice/#sequencetext
Study Mode
Five years full-time or ten years part-time.
Program Advice
Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.
Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |
Location
| Campus | Attendance | Mode | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool Campus | Full Time | Internal | Dr Benjamin Joseph |
| Liverpool Campus | Part Time | Internal | Dr Benjamin Joseph |
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Social Work component of this double degree meets the specifications for eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Work Integrated Learning
Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.
There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program. Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.
International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Admission
Admission 2024 and prior
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.
http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.
All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.
International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
Admission from 2025
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/
International students who have not completed a Year 12 or equivalent secondary school level qualification or higher qualification in the English language consistent with the requirements for admission to AQF Level 7 degree courses in Australia must have a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in each component (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or equivalent.
International applicants must apply directly to the Western Sydney University via the International Office. International students applying to The University through the International Office can find more details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
Alternate Entry Pathways:
- Students can apply via the HSC True Reward Program:
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/application-pathways/hsc-true-reward
- Students can apply via WSU’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway Program overseen by the Office of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Engagement and Advancement)
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/application-pathways/hsc-true-reward
Program Structure
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 400 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.
Recommended Sequence
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| BEHV 1021 | The Individual in Society | 10 |
| CULT 1017 | Understanding Society | 10 |
| BEHV 2008 | Mental Health in the Community | 10 |
| CULT 1024 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| HUMN 1060 | Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies | 10 |
| WELF 1002 | Context of Human Services | 10 |
| WELF 1003 | Human Services Intervention Strategies | 10 |
| CULT 1022 | Working with Cultural Differences | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| HUMN 2066 | Investigating and Communicating Social Problems | 10 |
| WELF 2002 | Community Work & Development | 10 |
| WELF 2017 | Working with Individuals and Families | 10 |
| WELF 2006 | Fields of Practice 1 | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| CULT 2005 | Ethics in the Social Sciences | 10 |
| WELF 2008 | Human Rights, Human Services and the Law | 10 |
| WELF 2007 | Group Work in Social Work | 10 |
| CULT 1005 | Crime, Deviance and Society | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| CULT 3001 | Applied Social Research | 10 |
| WELF 3006 | Family Violence: Policy and Practice | 10 |
| WELF 3020 | Field Education 1 | 20 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| JUST 3002 | Assessment and Treatment of Offenders | 10 |
| CULT 3025 | Prisons, Punishment and Criminal Justice | 10 |
| WELF 3001 | Child Abuse as a Social Issue | 10 |
| JUST 3014 | Creating Criminal Justice Solutions | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| WELF 2010 | Lifespan Development and the Human Services | 10 |
| CULT 3018 | Perspectives in Criminology | 10 |
| CULT 2017 | Youth Justice and Practice | 10 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| WELF 3014 | Social Work and Social Policy | 10 |
| WELF 2001 | Community Management and Organisations | 10 |
| HUMN 2015 | Community and Social Action | 10 |
| WELF 3009 | Managing Offenders in the Community | 10 |
| Students may exit at this point with a Bachelor of Criminal and Community Justice | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| WELF 3013 | Social Work and Health | 10 |
| WELF 4006 | Ideologies of Practice in Social Work | 10 |
| WELF 4007 | Practice skills for social work | 10 |
| WELF 4008 | Professional Decision Making in Social Work | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| WELF 4005 | Field Education 2 | 30 |
| Note: Subject WELF 4005 Field Education 2 may be offered in 2H session. | ||
| WELF 4001 | Contemporary Social Work Practice | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 400 | |
Equivalent Core Subjects
The subject listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2022 or earlier.
HUMN 1041 People, Place and Social Difference, replaced by HUMN 1060 Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies
The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2020 or earlier.
WELF 4003 Critical Practice in Social Work (Direct), replaced by WELF 4007 Practice skills for social work
WELF 4004 Critical Practice in Social Work (Indirect), replaced by WELF 4008 Professional Decision Making in Social Work
CULT 1007 Introduction to Crime and Criminal Justice, replaced by CULT 1024 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CULT 2009 Juvenile, Crime & Justice, replaced by CULT 2017 Youth Justice and Practice
JUST 3004 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Policing, replaced by JUST 3014 Creating Criminal Justice Solutions
WELF 2005 Field Education 1, replaced by WELF 3020 Field Education 1
CULT 2011 Prisons, Punishment and Criminal Justice, replaced by CULT 3025 Prisons, Punishment and Criminal Justice
HUMN 2049 Social Research Methods, replaced by HUMN 2066 Investigating and Communicating Social Problems