Course Structure

The course structure is based on six semesters (each of 12 weeks duration, plus a study week), with four subjects taught in each semester. It comprises:

• 15 compulsory core subjects (150 credit points)
• 7 subjects from the specialisation focus area/major (70 credit points)
• 2 elective subjects (20 credit points)

Specialisation/Focus Areas:

• Counselling
• Chaplaincy/Pastoral Care
• Youth Studies
• Social Science
• Cross Cultural

Recommended focus pathways are advisory not compulsory. 

To qualify for award of the degree of Bachelor of Applied Social Science a candidate shall complete at least 240 credit points, including satisfactory completion of the core subjects.

For more information see Student Handbook.

Subjects

Core / 15 Subjects (150 Credit Points)

• SSC100 Foundations in Social Science Research Methods & Writing (SSC100 replaces RES101 Introduction to Academic Writing and Research from S2 2023 onwards)
• SSC110 Psychology of Emotion and Wellbeing
• SSC111 Case Management
• SSC113 Interpersonal Communication Skills (former SSC112 Counselling Practice I)
• SSC210 Human Lifespan Development
• SSC211 Principles of Psychology
• SSC212 Grief and Loss
• SSC213 Social Identity in Australia
• SSC221 Foundations of Professional Practice (former SSC214 Counselling Practice II)
• SSC215 Group and Community Work
• SSC216 Mental Health
• SSC218 Working with Trauma
• SSC219 Professional Accountability
• SSC222 Ethical and Professional Issues (former SSC220 Professional Considerations)
• ACA101 Faith and Purpose (ACA101 replaces THE101 Christian Worldview from S2 2023 onwards)

Specialisations/ 7 Subjects (70 Credit Points)

You can choose one of the following areas of specialisation:

Counselling (required for Counselling accreditation)

• SSC217 Applied Counselling Theories
• SSC340 Engaging Families
• SSC338 Working with Relationships
• SSC310 Field Placement - Counselling (former SSC300 Professional Practice)
• SSC341 Australian Indigenous Studies OR Counselling Modality subject
• SSC336 Cognitive Behavioural Theories and Therapies
• 10 credit points SSC 100 level or above

Chaplaincy/Pastoral Care

• CCM304 World Religions
• MIN101 Introduction to Pastoral Ministry
• MIN102 Christian Spirituality
• SSC334 Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
• SSC337 Working with Addictions
• SSC313 Field Placement - Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care (former SSC300 Professional Practice)
• 10 credit points LEA/MIN/SSC 100 level or above

Youth Studies

• SSC312 Field Placement - Youth Studies (former SSC300 Professional Practice)
• SSC340 Engaging Families OR SSC337 Working with Addictions
• SSC343 Youth Work
• SSC345 Youth Issues
• SSC339 Working with Children and Young People
• SSC331 Solution Focused Therapy and Positive Psychology
• 10 credit points MIN/SSC 100 level or above

Social Science 

• SSC300 Professional Practice
• 20 credit points SSC 100 level or above
• 20 credit points SSC 200 level or above
• 20 credit points SSC 300 level or above

Cross Cultural

• SSC341 Australian Indigenous Studies
• CCM221 Preparing for Cross Cultural Field Ministry
• SOC201 Theology of Social Justice
• CCM304 World Religions
• SSC335 Culturally and Socially Diverse Practice
• 20 credit points CCM/MIN/SSC 200 level or above

Electives/ 2 Subjects (20 Credit Points)

Students are encouraged to complete any two of the following subjects:

• SSC339 Working with Children and Young People
• SSC340 Engaging Families
• SSC337 Working with Addictions
• SSC327 Working with Relationships
• SSC334 Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
• SSC343 Youth Work
• SSC345 Youth Issues
• SSC336 Cognitive Behavioural Theories and Therapies

Recommended focus pathways are advisory not compulsory. They do not appear in the award title.

View the full list of subjects for this course.

For more details on which subjects you can choose, see the current enrolment guide for this course.

Admission Criteria

Academic

Applicants with Recent Secondary Education (within the past 2 years)
Applicants admitted on the basis of their recent secondary education must demonstrate the completion of Australian Higher School Certificate with an ATAR of no less than 65 (or the completion of an International Baccalaureate  or overseas equivalent qualification and result) for admission into this course.

Special admission is also available for Year 12 students who’s ATAR (or equivalent) falls within 5 points of the published guaranteed ATAR but have done well in subjects relevant to the course of study. These Special Admission Pathways are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director and then tabled for approval by the Admissions Committee.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

Applicants with a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification will demonstrate the completion of a Certificate III or higher qualification awarded by an authorised institution or registered training organisation (RTO).

The Program Director will conduct a pre-admission interview (either face-to-face or phone or via Zoom) with all applicants seeking entry into the course on the basis of a Certificate III qualification. This interview aims to assess academic suitability and preparedness of the applicant for undergraduate level study.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

Applicants whose highest level of study enrolment since leaving secondary education is a higher education qualification must demonstrate the completion of an AQF Level 5 Higher Education Diploma (or higher) by an authorised institution for admission into this course.

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

If you are over the age of 21 at the time of commencement, you can apply for admission into this course on the basis of provisional entry, and complete the provisional entry qualifying period to become a full candidate.

Language

Overseas students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency skills. Such students admitted into our programs must attain an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.5. IELTS (or equivalent) is not required for applicants who have undertaken five years of required higher education study (or equivalent) in English from an approved country or who have completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification awarded in English under the Australian Qualification Framework by an authorised institution or registered training organisation.

Essential Requirements for Admission:

Working with Children Check

All students are required to complete the new Working with Children Check online before they will be allowed to participate in professional practice subjects. Students will be classified as a ‘volunteer’ in Education.

Pre-admission Interview and Statement of Intention

Students may be requested to submit a Statement of Intention as part of their application for admission into this course. In addition, a pre-admission interview may also be conducted.

Study Modes

Delivery Modes*: Face-to-Face (Campus class), Online Live (Zoom class), Online Recorded
Locations**: Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Online
Durations: 3 years full-time/Up to 10 years part-time
Intakes: Semester 1, Semester 2, October Intake, Summer Intake

* Our study modes are flexible so you can mix-and-match different modes throughout your course to fit your needs. For example, a face-to-face student can choose to attend some classes online or an online student may choose to take some subjects face-to-face.

** Some subjects may only be available in certain study modes each semester. Please check the timetable for the most up-to-date information. Face-to-face classes can be delivered weekly or via intensives, where the subject is delivered in a block over consecutive weekdays and/or weekends. Some subjects must be completed face-to-face to meet professional accreditation requirements.

Fees & Timetable

A complete Fee Schedule for all Alphacrucis programs and courses can be found in our Fees Information section.

For a full list of course dates please see our Timetables page.

FEE-HELP is available for eligible students to assist you in financing your studies. For more information and other options, please visit the Financing Your Study page. For students who cannot access government loans, an alternative option is Study Loans, a private student loan provider. To learn more about loans provided by Study Loans, click here.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

• Understanding and knowledge of historic and current thinking within the social sciences; in-depth ethical, theoretical and practical knowledge about providing informed care to others; as well as a broad and coherent understanding of the dynamic relationship between the two.
• Broad, coherent and practical knowledge about the underlying principles and concepts for both maintaining currency in their chosen profession and independent lifelong learning; the limits inherent in these and their relevance to selfcare and professional conduct;

Skills:

• Able to critically and respectfully debate the nature of self, others and the world in which they live; exercising judgement and the ability to research, analyse, consolidate and synthesise relevant materials from the social sciences to substantiate their claims.
• Appraise individual and cultural diversity in both development and relationships and the practice implications of these; demonstrate the cognitive, technical and creative abilities to maintain these skills in changing contexts
• Display self-awareness and the ability to be self-evaluative
• Communicate effectively and creatively, through electronic media, orally and in writing with individuals, families, groups and organisations

Application of Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrate social responsibility in their engagement with others and by shaping the culture around them in a holistic, ethical, respectful and client focused manner
• Able to work independently, exercising responsibility and accountability in matching complex concerns with evidence-based practices; able to identify and action learning opportunities after reflection on feedback;
• Develop those specific attributes that prepare them for membership in their chosen professional association and the lifelong learning skills to retain or advance this membership