Start Date
Feb, May, Sept
Qualification
Undergraduate
Duration
3 years full-time / part-time equivalent
Subject
24 units
Fees
$16,992* / year
Mode
100% Online
Apply Now

Course Overview

Our online Bachelor of Social Science (Child and Community) degree gives you the foundation to build a career in human services, with a particular focus on skills to support children and families. Understand how contemporary issues and needs impact a child’s development and the community.

A passport into the world of social science, this degree gives you the knowledge to develop your confidence and competence in the field.

There are many ways you can gain entry into a degree through Western Sydney University Online. We accept any one of the following, provided you meet the minimum requirements relating to that criteria:

  • Cert III, Cert IV or diploma in any field
  • Completion or partial completion of tertiary study
  • Work experience, in any industry (assessed on a case by case basis)
  • Completion of Year 12 HSC (or equivalent), with a minimum required ATAR
  • Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC)
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
  • PTE or IELTS for English proficiency may be required depending on where entry documentation was completed
Western Sydney University’s Inherent Requirements

As a student, you may need to pay a number of fees throughout your studies, depending on your degree and your enrolment status. These fees may include student contribution and tuition fees. If you’re eligible, you may also be able to obtain a HELP loan for payment of your student contribution or tuition fees. For more information, please visit the Student Contribution Bands page.

Fees for undergraduate International students are different than for local students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, NZ citizens, and holders of an Australian permanent resident humanitarian visa). For more information on fees for International students, please visit the International program fees page.

*Please note that fees are an estimation of annual fees and are subject to change.

Download Course Brochure

Download the Course Brochure for more information on this innovative course and student support.

Career Opportunities

Equipped with a degree from one of the top universities in the world, you can enter the workforce with industry knowledge and confidence. Here are some of the options available to a Bachelor of Social Science (Child and Community) graduate:

Social Advocate

$85,000* Annual Salary

Work on behalf of disadvantaged social groups to further social justice.

Research Assistant

4.0 Star Rating for Job Satisfaction

Use multiple streams of data to gather information for social change projects.

Community Development Officer

13.5% Growth in Job Opportunities

Bring about social change and improve the quality of life within a community.

Juvenile Justice Worker

$60,000* Annual Salary

Provide counselling, supervision or management to young people detained in a facility.

Learn more about Social Science opportunities on SEEK

Subject Details

Course subjects are carefully selected and taught by industry experts and professionals to ensure a well-rounded education to all our students.

 

*You can choose any 8 elective subjects, however, 2 of them must be level 3 subjects.

 

Here is a closer look at the subjects that will be covered in your 3-year degree in Bachelor of Social Science (Child and Community):

HUMN 1041
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

People, Place and Social Difference

This subject focuses on the local experiences of cultural and socio-economic difference. This includes applied social science approaches to inequality, diversity, community, sense of place, and environmental sustainability in the urban setting. There is an emphasis on spatial literacy for social scientists (fieldwork, mapping, data analysis and place description).

BEHV 1021
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

The Individual in Society

Humanistic, biological, cognitive, behavioural and sociocultural: The Individual in Society introduces the main theoretical perspectives for understanding individual behaviour. The subject then progresses to social psychology and explores self and identity, attitudes and attitude change, conformity and obedience. It also explores prejudice and discrimination, aggression, pro-social behaviour and attraction and close relationships.

CULT 1017
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Understanding Society

The aim of this subject is to introduce students to key theories and concepts for understanding social action, social policy, social institutions, social structure and social change. Developing skills in critical reading and sociological analysis, students will interpret and analyse subject content to acquire an understanding of contemporary societies.

CULT 1020
Recommended 8- 10 hours of study per week

Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies

Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies introduces students to the methods and principles of community participation, capacity-building, community needs assessment, and resilience. Students will explore scholarly ideas and debates that provide insight into working with communities and acquire an understanding of how these are applied in a range of professional settings. Students will identify and analyse global, local, government and organisational aspects and interests in the development of their own and wider communities.

CULT 2005
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Ethics in the Social Sciences

This subject introduces students to the nature of western ethics and moral discourses, ethical methodology and the possibilities and limits of ethical discourse and practice. It covers the history of the formalisation of ethics, as well as its current philosophical and sociological dimensions. Students will be invited to reflect on moral discourses, and on the use of ethics for social justice and fairness.

HUMN 2066
Recommended 8- 10 hours of study per week

Investigating and Communicating Social Problems

Investigating and Communicating Social Problems addresses research practices in the social sciences. Students will gain an understanding of the research process, its epistemological and theoretical underpinnings, ethical questions in social research, research design and methodology. Students will also gain an understanding of methods of data collection and data analysis and reading and interpreting research and its impacts.

CULT 3001
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Applied Social Research

Building on the Social Research Methods subject, students will continue their education in social research. Students will gain experience in using tools and techniques for the collection, analysis and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data using real world examples. Students will learn to gather primary data through surveys and interviews, then support their findings with secondary data.

CULT 3007
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice

This subject will provide social science students with an opportunity to improve their career readiness. Using a combination of practical and theoretical framework, this subject will teach students how to translate their social science knowledge to a professional setting. Students will also engage with contemporary social issues such as diversity, work and employment, and sustainability.

WELF 1002
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Context of Human Services

This subject introduces students to the role of human services within the Australian political context. Students will develop a critical analysis of the contribution of the market, state and community, encouraging reflection on underpinning values. It will also identify the change strategies which can be developed and used in each of these domains to bring about socially just outcomes.

CULT 1022
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Working with Cultural Differences

This subject is designed to develop student awareness of culture, identity and difference in the Australian context. Issues of identity, difference and power relations are explored in the Australian context, with a particular focus on Indigenous/non-Indigenous relations and multiculturalism. This subject also explores the effects of socially constructed differences of race, gender, class, and sexuality.

HUMN 2015
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Community and Social Action

This subject will provide an understanding of social change processes and the strengths and challenges involved in social change for the 21st century. Students will be able to identify links between change at local/global and individual/structural levels. At the conclusion of this subject, students will have acquired knowledge to be active change agents.

WELF 2002
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Community Work and Development

This subject introduces theories and skills in community work and community development. There will be an exploration of the range of ways the term “community” is used, and an analysis of the assumptions, values, goals and visions behind community work will be discussed. The subject will explore the scope of community work at a local, state and global level.

WELF 2001
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Community Management and Organisations

This subject focuses on community management in Australia and the social and economic factors that influence and frame community management practices. At the macro level, it examines the effects of neo-liberal (economic rationalist) reforms in the public and community sectors; and the rise of developments such as managerialism and ‘third way’ approaches, on community management practices.

HUMN 2025
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Families and Intimate Life

This subject will critically examine sociological perspectives on the family and intimate life, building on the approaches and theories introduced in the first year of sociology studies. The familiarity of family and intimate relationships will be questioned and students will be asked to examine their beliefs, decode the meaning, and discard the myths of the ‘naturalness’ of these spheres of social life.

WELF 3001
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Child Abuse as a Social Issue

This subject enables students to examine the way in which child abuse has become a public issue. It considers the assumptions, values and interests which underlie definitions of abuse, as well as intervention and prevention strategies promoted to protect children from abuse. Students will examine constructions of childhood, the positioning of children and attitudes towards children and families.

WELF 3006
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Family Violence: Policy and Practice

This subject examines the nature, incidence and extent of family violence, and focuses on the effects on victims (predominantly women and children). Current sociological explanations are examined, including a critical examination of the myths and stereotypes that help to reinforce the hidden nature of this problem. Some solutions and possible ways of alleviating the suffering caused by this violence are canvassed.

HUMN 1041
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

People, Place and Social Difference

This subject focuses on the local experiences of cultural and socio-economic difference. This includes applied social science approaches to inequality, diversity, community, sense of place, and environmental sustainability in the urban setting. There is an emphasis on spatial literacy for social scientists (fieldwork, mapping, data analysis and place description).

BEHV 1021
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

The Individual in Society

Humanistic, biological, cognitive, behavioural and sociocultural: The Individual in Society introduces the main theoretical perspectives for understanding individual behaviour. The subject then progresses to social psychology and explores self and identity, attitudes and attitude change, conformity and obedience. It also explores prejudice and discrimination, aggression, pro-social behaviour and attraction and close relationships.

CULT 1017
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Understanding Society

The aim of this subject is to introduce students to key theories and concepts for understanding social action, social policy, social institutions, social structure and social change. Developing skills in critical reading and sociological analysis, students will interpret and analyse subject content to acquire an understanding of contemporary societies.

CULT 1020
Recommended 8- 10 hours of study per week

Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies

Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies introduces students to the methods and principles of community participation, capacity-building, community needs assessment, and resilience. Students will explore scholarly ideas and debates that provide insight into working with communities and acquire an understanding of how these are applied in a range of professional settings. Students will identify and analyse global, local, government and organisational aspects and interests in the development of their own and wider communities.

CULT 2005
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Ethics in the Social Sciences

This subject introduces students to the nature of western ethics and moral discourses, ethical methodology and the possibilities and limits of ethical discourse and practice. It covers the history of the formalisation of ethics, as well as its current philosophical and sociological dimensions. Students will be invited to reflect on moral discourses, and on the use of ethics for social justice and fairness.

HUMN 2066
Recommended 8- 10 hours of study per week

Investigating and Communicating Social Problems

Investigating and Communicating Social Problems addresses research practices in the social sciences. Students will gain an understanding of the research process, its epistemological and theoretical underpinnings, ethical questions in social research, research design and methodology. Students will also gain an understanding of methods of data collection and data analysis and reading and interpreting research and its impacts.

CULT 3001
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Applied Social Research

Building on the Social Research Methods subject, students will continue their education in social research. Students will gain experience in using tools and techniques for the collection, analysis and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data using real world examples. Students will learn to gather primary data through surveys and interviews, then support their findings with secondary data.

CULT 3007
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice

This subject will provide social science students with an opportunity to improve their career readiness. Using a combination of practical and theoretical framework, this subject will teach students how to translate their social science knowledge to a professional setting. Students will also engage with contemporary social issues such as diversity, work and employment, and sustainability.

WELF 1002
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Context of Human Services

This subject introduces students to the role of human services within the Australian political context. Students will develop a critical analysis of the contribution of the market, state and community, encouraging reflection on underpinning values. It will also identify the change strategies which can be developed and used in each of these domains to bring about socially just outcomes.

CULT 1022
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Working with Cultural Differences

This subject is designed to develop student awareness of culture, identity and difference in the Australian context. Issues of identity, difference and power relations are explored in the Australian context, with a particular focus on Indigenous/non-Indigenous relations and multiculturalism. This subject also explores the effects of socially constructed differences of race, gender, class, and sexuality.

HUMN 2015
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Community and Social Action

This subject will provide an understanding of social change processes and the strengths and challenges involved in social change for the 21st century. Students will be able to identify links between change at local/global and individual/structural levels. At the conclusion of this subject, students will have acquired knowledge to be active change agents.

WELF 2002
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Community Work and Development

This subject introduces theories and skills in community work and community development. There will be an exploration of the range of ways the term “community” is used, and an analysis of the assumptions, values, goals and visions behind community work will be discussed. The subject will explore the scope of community work at a local, state and global level.

WELF 2001
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Community Management and Organisations

This subject focuses on community management in Australia and the social and economic factors that influence and frame community management practices. At the macro level, it examines the effects of neo-liberal (economic rationalist) reforms in the public and community sectors; and the rise of developments such as managerialism and ‘third way’ approaches, on community management practices.

HUMN 2025
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Families and Intimate Life

This subject will critically examine sociological perspectives on the family and intimate life, building on the approaches and theories introduced in the first year of sociology studies. The familiarity of family and intimate relationships will be questioned and students will be asked to examine their beliefs, decode the meaning, and discard the myths of the ‘naturalness’ of these spheres of social life.

WELF 3001
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Child Abuse as a Social Issue

This subject enables students to examine the way in which child abuse has become a public issue. It considers the assumptions, values and interests which underlie definitions of abuse, as well as intervention and prevention strategies promoted to protect children from abuse. Students will examine constructions of childhood, the positioning of children and attitudes towards children and families.

WELF 3006
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Family Violence: Policy and Practice

This subject examines the nature, incidence and extent of family violence, and focuses on the effects on victims (predominantly women and children). Current sociological explanations are examined, including a critical examination of the myths and stereotypes that help to reinforce the hidden nature of this problem. Some solutions and possible ways of alleviating the suffering caused by this violence are canvassed.

Western Sydney University Online invites you to study in an advanced and flexible digital environment. Our online program allows you to study on your time, when it works for you, your work, family and life commitments.

Student Support

We are here to support you when you need it. Our dedicated support team are available over the phone or online seven days a week to answer all your questions. From technical support through to academic questions, we have the tools and people to make your study journey achievable and enjoyable.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

At Western Sydney University Online, we are dedicated to helping our students. Our Student Advisors are on hand to make your transition to university as smooth as possible. They are available via phone, email 7 days a week, 8am to 9pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends. Once you are in your online classroom, your Online Learning Advisors will be there to guide your learning and there is plenty of assessment support services at your fingertips throughout your studies.

We understand that life can get busy and you may need to reconsider your study options. The good news is there are options available for you to consider. You can take a Leave of Absence and start in a future teaching period or you can transfer to another course if you meet the entry criteria. We recommend giving one of our helpful Student Advisors a call and have a chat about your specific circumstances. With their knowledge they can point you in the right direction.

Of course. Whether you study on-campus or online, your learning outcomes and qualification are the same. Even to the point of when you graduate, you will receive the same testamur. A testamur is your graduation certificate and it does not specify your mode of study. Regardless of whether you study online or on-campus you will still be getting the same qualification from an internationally ranked university.

Your subjects typically open the Friday before the commencement of the Teaching Period, however access to your subject outlines and Orientation Subject will be available in Canvas your online classroom four weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period.

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Are you ready to apply? Simply fill out the form below and a Course Consultant will be in touch to guide you through your application over the phone.

 

If you’re not ready to apply or want to know more before you complete your application, you can request more information by calling us on 1300 050 928.