Graduate Certificate of Human Services

The Graduate Certificate of Human Services is designed to enable students to meet the entry requirements of JCU’s Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying). Whether you have no formal experience in social work or are looking to upskill for a career switch, this graduate certificate will give you the key knowledge and skills you need to succeed as you pursue further study to become a professional social worker.

JCU’s Graduate Certificate of Human Services consists of four core subjects: Social Welfare Practice with Children and Families; Social Work and Mental Health; Organisational Practice; and Professional Values and Ethics. These subjects cover key aspects of the ethos, methodologies and professional standards of social work practice in Australia, preparing you to study the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) with the necessary background knowledge.

Throughout your studies, you will learn from expert academics who are committed to your success. The cohort you study alongside will likely progress with you into further studies, meaning that you’ll have the chance to both benefit from, and contribute to, a valuable support network of peers.

Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate of Human Services, you will have an in-depth understanding of the underlying values, ethics, theories, principles, professional practice and workplace contexts in the social work discipline. You will be able to critically review, evaluate and apply evidence-based practice to solve issues in contemporary social work practice in Australia and have greater capacity for communicating your knowledge and insights as a learner and emerging professional to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment,and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Graduate Certificate of Human Services.

International students must attain an IELTS Academic with an average level of 7.5 or more, across the four components of listening, speaking, reading and writing; no score below level 7.0 in any of these components; and a score of 8.0 or more in the components of speaking and listening. Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.

English competency requirements may also be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• Bachelor degree or master degree from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, or
• Undergraduate degree taught in English from a South African University.

The Graduate Certificate of Human Services is the ideal pathway for those looking to take the first steps towards a career in social work. The core subjects you will complete during this non-accredited course will serve as the perfect foundation for continuation into the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) by preparing you to meet the Master’s degree’s entry requirements.

On successful completion of the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying), you will be equipped to work as a practising social work professional in government and non-government organisations throughout Australia or internationally in areas such as hospital and community health services, child protection services, disability services, youth and family services, and the justice system. Alternatively, you could work as a caseworker with individuals and families, in a community work or development role, or in a social policy, research and advocacy role.