Recommended Study Sequence

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Advanced Standing

Applications for advanced standing will be assessed in accordance with current UWS policy.

Admission

Applications for the course must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Further information on admission to postgraduate courses is available on the Local Admissions section of the UWS website

Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Social Science (Child and Youth Studies) is based on the following;

Completion of a bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a relevant area; OR
Completion of a graduate diploma (or equivalent) in a relevant area; OR
Completion of a graduate certificate (or equivalent) in a relevant area.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 40 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Part-time

Year 1

Autumn session

Partnership with Children, Young People and Carers

Students examine the concept of childhood particularly focusing on issues relevant to care and protection work and to agency and work methods. Concepts and skills for working in partnership with children, youth and families are studied and discussed in terms of constructing effective policy, practice and management approaches.

The Ecology of Child Abuse and Neglect

In this unit students explore the issue of child abuse and neglect and its relationship to socio-political and economic factors. The complexities and ambiguities of care and protection work are dissected at an advanced level. Reference is made to students' agencies and how they have developed particular responses to the issue of child abuse. This unit develops and defines existing knowledge and theoretical frameworks and challenges students to deconstruct various approaches to care and protection practice.

Spring session

Policy and Decision Making in Human Services Organisations

In this unit students build on their understanding of the legal, administrative and institutional contexts for decision making in care and protection work. Students critically examine current policy and practice models and tools for decision making in terms of the complexity and ambiguity which characterises care and protection work. Decision making processes are analysed and strategies formulated in relation to the obstacles and benefits of partnership with consumers and agencies.

Sustainable Environments for Children and Young People

In this unit the family, community and societal support are emphasised and strategies for creating a ‘child-friendly’ community explored. Students examine concepts and models for facilitating the development of a child and young-person friendly society as they apply to contemporary child welfare issues. The relationship between child welfare, care and protection and abuse is explored.

Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Child and Youth Studies)

The Graduate Certificate in Social Science (Child and Youth Studies) emphasises participation, partnerships and inter-sectoral collaboration with reference to contemporary theory, policy and practice. This course is for students who are interested in, or are currently, working for government, non-government, private and not-for-profit organisations in areas such as care and protection, youth work, early childhood services and legal and community service delivery areas. It will equip practitioners who work with children, youth and families with advanced knowledge and skills for effective practice.

Social Sciences at UWS

UWS’s Graduate Certificate in Social Science (Child and Youth Studies) recognises that students with competing demands of study, work and family require flexibility of learning and therefore most units are offered online, tapping into contemporary theory, policy and practice with the guidance of lecturers and the building of peer relationships with other students.

It’s all about Career Opportunities

Many students enrol in postgraduate studies to enhance their professional status and career opportunities in their chosen fields with their current employers or to enhance mobility within their sectors.

Graduates of this course are well placed for careers in a range of government (local, state and federal) and non-government and community agencies that provide services for children and youth, such as community welfare, health services (including public health) and juvenile justice. Graduates may work in roles such as casework and casework management, child protection, youth work, research and development, policy development and analysis.

Professional Accreditation

This course is a ‘preferred qualification’ for NSW Department of Community

Duration

One year part-time in distance education mode.

Location

Parramatta

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 40 credit points.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Social Science (Child and Youth Studies) is based on the following:

Completion of a bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a relevant area; OR
Completion of a graduate diploma (or equivalent) in a relevant area; OR
Completion of a graduate certificate (or equivalent) in a relevant area.

How to Apply

All domestic applications for entry to UWS postgraduate courses must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Step by step instructions are available on on How to Apply pages.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for advanced standing will be assessed in accordance with current UWS policy.

Do you need more information?

Request a course and application information pack:
Course Enquiry Form
International Course Enquiry Form

Alternatively you are welcome to contact us.