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Diploma of Social Science

Course Overview / Course Structure

Course Name	Diploma of Social Science
Level	Undergraduate
Type	Full-time or part-time
Mode	On-campus or by distance education*
Duration	1 year (full-time equivalent)
Credit Points	80
Starting Semesters	1 & 2
Course Code	SS04
CRICOS Code	053714E
Host School	Social Sciences

General Information

The Diploma of Social Science is a one year fulltime course of study, or part-time equivalent. It is a foundational program which is intended for people who want to develop more awareness of themselves and those around them, as well as those wanting to gain useful counselling-related skills and understandings for informal application to a range of settings.

Career Outcomes

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 Diploma of Social Science requires 80 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

The Diploma of Social Science consists of Core units and Elective units.

Core units LA110 - Academic Communication SO101 - Australian Society: Introduction to Sociology Two units (20 credit points) from the Colleges Christian Studies core: CS100 - Christian Discipleship CS125 - Contours of a Christian Worldview CS200 - Christianity and Worldviews* Other 100- and 200-level Christian Studies units as approved by the Course Coordinator * Enrolment in this unit is subject to the completion of unit prerequisite requirements.

Elective units Elective units are to be chosen from the list below, subject to availability and the completion of prerequisite requirements CD101 - Introduction to Community Development CD213 - Building Christian Community CH101 - Introduction to Chaplaincy HB101 - Introduction to Psychology HB111 - Personal and Social Relationships HB121 - Human Development HB161 - Basic Counselling Skills HB162 - Connecting with the Human Story HB171 - Introduction to Pastoral Care HB220 - Human Behaviour in Organisations HB252 - Introduction to Counselling Theories HB261 - Processes and Strategies in Counselling HB271 - Christian Approaches to Counselling HB281 - Major Issues in Counselling WE101 - Introduction to Human Services WE201 - Working in Human Services Organisations WE251 - Policy, Ethics and Professional Issues YO101 - Introduction to Youth Studies YO121 - Understanding Young People YO202 - The Socio-Cultural Worlds of Young People YO220 - Pastoral Care of Young People YO231 - School Chaplaincy Other units as approved by the Course Coordinator

Relationship to other courses

Students who begin the Diploma of 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 complete the Diploma of Social Science and then continue their studies in the Associate Degree in Social Science or a Bachelor of Social Science course. Students may choose to fulfil the requirements of the first half of the Associate Degree in Social Science or first year of a Bachelor of Social Science course to allow articulation into those qualifications at a later time. If these requirements are not fulfilled, further time may be required to complete the Associate Degree in Social Science or Bachelor of Social Science course.

Alternatively, students may enrol in the Associate Degree in Social Science or a Bachelor of Social Science course but exit early with the Diploma of Social Science, subject to course rules.

Summary of course rules – Diploma of Social Science

	A total of 80 credit points are required for graduation.
	Completion of the Core units, Human Behaviour/Counselling units and Elective units as indicated are required for graduation.
	At least 40 credit points must be completed in the School of Social Sciences.
	No more than 40 credit points gained in prior studies at another institution may be credited towards the requirements of the award.
	No more than 20 credit points gained in concurrent studies at another institution may be credited towards the requirements of the award.
	The maximum allowable time for completion of the award shall be FIVE years.
	Variations of course rules must receive the approval of the Dean and the Board of Studies.