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Associate Degree in Social Science

Course Overview / Course Structure

Course Name	Associate Degree in Social Science
Level	Undergraduate
Type	Full-time or part-time
Mode	On-campus or by distance education
Duration	2 years (full-time equivalent)
Credit Points	160
Starting Semesters	1 & 2
Course Code	SS06
CRICOS Code	053714
Host School	Social Sciences

General Information

The Associate Degree in Social Science is a two year fulltime course of study (or part-time
equivalent). Without offering a formal qualification in a specific field, the Associate Degree in Social
Science aims to offer vocational emphases in Chaplaincy, Counselling, Human Studies or Youth
Studies which are designed to develop practical skills and theoretical foundations for those working
in these contexts with a range of people within various institutional contexts.

Career Outcomes

Community Worker   Chaplain   Pastoral Carer   Rehabilitation Worker   Youth Worker   Personal Support Worker   Case Manager

Attendance

Full-time students undertake 3-4 units per semester. Each unit is equivalent to 10 credit points). Students may enrol in fewer units per semester and extend their degree over a longer period. Australian students enrolled in three or more units may be eligible to claim Austudy benefits. International students are required to study a minimum of 30 credit hours (3 subject equivalent) per semester to fulfil Australian study visa requirements.

Workload for the Course

The Associate Degree in Social Science requires 160 credit points for completion. Each credit
point indicates an expected student involvement of one hour per week for one semester in both
formal contact hours and individual study. A standard unit carrying a weighting of 10 credit points
will normally involve an expected ten hours of study and research per week. Students undertaking
fulltime study will have a semester load of 40 credit points.

Students may apply for transfer of credit from previous studies. Application for transfer of credit is
to be made at the time of entry into the course. During their course of study, students may also
apply to engage in cross-institutional study towards the requirements of the course. A maximum of
50% of the course may be undertaken through transfer of credit and/or cross-institutional study.

Course structure and content

The Associate Degree in Social Science consists of Core units, Discipline Studies units and
Elective units. Students will choose a focus area which will give shape to their course by
determining the Discipline Studies units and Elective units which they will undertake. They must
complete at least five units in the Discipline Studies of their choice.

   Core units

CS100 Christian Discipleship (or approved alternative)
CS120 Introduction to the Bible
CS200 Christianity and Worldviews
LA110 Academic Communication
SO101 Australian Society: Introduction to Sociology
HB101 Introduction to Psychology OR
HB121 Human Development OR
YO121 Understanding Young People 

Discipline Studies units (minimum of 50 credit points)

 Counselling

HB111 Personal and Social Relationships
HB161 Basic Counselling Skills
HB162 Connecting with the Human Story
HB252 Introduction to Counselling Theories
HB261 Processes and Strategies in Counselling
HB271 Christian Approaches to Counselling
HB281 Major Issues in Counselling

Elective units (10 to 50 credit points)

Up to five elective units of students choice must be taken to complete their Associate Degree in
Social Science. Students may choose units that will assist their work as school chaplains, youth
workers or welfare workers. Elective units are to be chosen subject to availability and the
completion of prerequisite requirements.

Practicum units

Practicum units (CH212 Chaplaincy Placement I; WE212 Supervised Welfare Practicum; YO211
Youth Ministry Placement I; YO212 Youth Welfare Placement I) involve the placement of students
in a practicum context, under the supervision of a qualified and experienced worker, for a total of
200 hours. Students will normally undertake the practicum in the final year of the Associate Degree
in Social Science. Fulltime students normally complete the practicum as a weekly placement over
at least one semester; however, alternative arrangements may be made for students who have
difficulty completing the practicum as a weekly placement.The Practicum is regarded as a vital part of the program for students who plan to gain employment
in that field as it challenges them to implement the skills and understandings they have gained in
order to demonstrate their effectiveness in a realistic context. The students will move beyond
observation to participation in their context, under the watchful eye of their supervisor. As well as
working with clients and taking part in the range of activities undertaken within the particular
placement location, students will be involved with their supervisor in discussion, reflection and
review of the issues raised and strategies employed, in order to allow personal growth and critical
evaluation to take place.

Students enrol in a prerequisite practice unit as appropriate: CH260 Chaplaincy Practice; WE260
Human Services Practice; YO260 Youth Work Practice. This unit functions as group supervision as
well as providing opportunity to reflect on the experience, to explore the impact on their own
personal process and to link theory and practice. Students also begin to visit relevant agencies in
order to gain understanding of possible practicum and work contexts.

Sequence of study

The sequence of study for a student commencing the Associate Degree in Social Science in
Semester 1 of a year and studying a fulltime load of 40 credit points is as follows.

Semester 1	Semester 2
LA110 CS100 CD101/ CH101 YO101/ HB111	CS120 SO101 HB101 or HB121 or YO121 HB161/ WE101
Semester 3	Semester 4
CS200           CH260/ WE260/ YO260        Elective Elective	CH212/ WE212/ YO211/ YO212 Elective Elective Elective

The sequence of study for a student commencing the Associate Degree in Social Science in
Semester 1 of a year and studying a part-time load of 20 credit points is as follows. Part-time study
arrangements are not available to Overseas students.

Unit descriptions 

Descriptions for units in the Associate Degree in Social Science can be found in Section 8.5.

Relationship to other courses

Students who begin the Associate Degree in Social Science and then find that they wish to
continue their studies or to change the focus of their studies may transfer to other undergraduate
Social Sciences courses, subject to the entry requirements of those courses. Students who
transfer course are then subject to the rules of their new course.

Students may exit the Associate Degree in Social Science after one year of fulltime study and
obtain the Diploma of Social Science, subject to course rules. 

Students who enter the Associate Degree in Social Science with a view to later entry into a
Bachelor of Social Science course are to ensure that they choose units which fulfil the rules of their
desired course. If students do not fulfil the requirements of the first two years of the appropriate
Bachelor degree within the Associate Degree, they cannot expect to finish the Bachelor degree
until all requirements for the particular course have been met.

Students who are enrolled in a Bachelor of Social Science may elect to exit early from that course
and receive the Associate Degree in Social Science, subject to course rules.

Summary of course rules – Associate Degree in Social Science

1.  A total of 160 credit points are required for graduation.
2.  Completion of the required Core units, Discipline Studies units and Elective units are required
     for graduation.
3.  A minimum of 60 credit points must be completed in units offered at the advanced level.
4.  Rules regarding concurrent or prerequisite enrolment in a practice unit apply to practicum
     units.
5.  No more than 80 credit points gained in prior studies at another institution may be credited
     towards the requirements of the award.
6.  No more than 40 credit points gained in concurrent studies at another institution may be
     credited towards the requirements of the award.
7.  The maximum allowable time for completion of the award shall be TEN years.
8.  Variations of course rules must receive the approval of the Dean and the Board of Studies.