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Research Pathway Social Work Practicum unit (HGW425)

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Unit year 2025

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Location: Cradle Coast, Hobart, Launceston

To be eligible to undertake this professional experience placement (PEP) students are required to:

  • attend compulsory Preparation for Placement seminars;
  • meet the academic pre-requisites for this unit;
  • meet the Functional Requirements for students enrolled in Social Work; and,
  • undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children/Vulnerable People Check (Volunteer).

You will be advised of how to meet these requirements at the Fieldwork Orientation Session within the first weeks of Semester 1.

See more information and resources at Field Education Placements.

Introduction

The second Research Pathway Social Work Practicum is one of the final suites of units undertaken in the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) and the Master of Social Work (Qualifying). Students are required to undertake a minimum of 500 hours in a setting that is relevant to social work practice and enables the achievement of the learning outcomes for this unit.

Placements are undertaken on a full-time basis (5 days per week). In some circumstances part time placements (3 days per week) may be negotiated, subject to availability.

Your placement is supervised by a qualified social work supervisor and is a focused practice learning experience that will enable you to gain experience and learn about integrating social work theory and practice, develop and apply social work knowledge, and deepen your understanding of the role that professional and personal values occupy in social work. You will also further enhance your social work skills in direct practice as well as in policy and research. Field education provides opportunities to engage with and understand organisational contexts and the numerous fields of practice in which social workers engage. 

Students will attend a preparation seminar prior to commencing placement as well as integration workshops during placement.

Summary

Unit name Research Pathway Social Work Practicum
Unit code HGW425
Credit points 25
College/School Health
Social Work Program
Discipline Social Work
Coordinator Doctor Tina Kostecki
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Honours

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Cradle Coast 14 Week Session Jun This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Hobart 14 Week Session Jun This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Launceston 14 Week Session Jun This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
14 Week Session Jun 25/5/2025 15/6/2025 13/7/2025 30/8/2025

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2025 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2025 will be available from the 1st October 2024. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe and demonstrate ethical, inclusive, and culturally responsive social work practice skills in an agency setting.
  • Describe social work theories and apply theory to practice in an agency setting.
  • Identify and take responsibility for a range of tasks and social work interventions, methods and techniques used within an agency setting.
  • Demonstrate professional attitudes, workplace behaviours and communication skills (verbal, nonverbal and written) appropriate to the profession of social work, particularly in complex and challenging situations.
  • Critically reflect on your own practice within professional supervision.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
090501 $4,248.00 $1,993.00 $2,328.00 $4,880.00
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Concurrent Prerequisites

HGW423, HGW424, HGW431 and HGW414

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Students undertake at least 14 weeks FTE of placement. Placements are undertaken on a full-time basis. In some circumstances part-time placements may be negotiated, subject to availability. Full-time placements are undertaken over a period of 14 weeks. Students will also be required to attend preparation seminars prior to placement, some of these may occur in Semester 1.

AssessmentField Placement (100%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required
  • Cleak, H & Wilson J. 2022 , Making the Most of Field Placement, Thomson, Australia.  
  • McAuliffe, D & Chenoweth L. 2008, Leave no stone unturned: The inclusive model of ethical decision making, Ethics and Social Welfare, 2(1), 38-49.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.