Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Bachelor of Youth Work

Effective from 01-JAN-2021 : Code C57

This course provides a comprehensive program of study in the essentials of youth work. Students can choose complementary areas of study such as Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies, Addiction Studies, Community Work, Criminology, Psychology, Counselling, Visual Arts, Media and Communication, Events Management, and Outdoor Adventure.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Practicum Requirement

A key feature of the course is the year-long practicum that offers students the opportunity to gain real world experience working with young people in supportive environments. Students graduate with valuable employability skills and enhanced job prospects.

Duty of care

Risk Management Assessment is negotiated with the agencies and ECU under agreement arrangements. Western Australian applicants are required to have a Working With Children Check. Applicants from other Australian states and territories must be able to meet the criminal checks relevant to their jurisdiction. International students must meet Western Australian requirements, in addition to the requirements of their home country. The practicum coordinator must view the Working with Children Check before students commence practicum. Placement agencies may also need to see the Working with Children Check. If a student is denied this card they will not be able to complete the practicum and will not be able to graduate from the course.

Attendance requirements

Students must attend placement agencies as agreed with the practicum coordinator. Students are required to complete 400 hours over two semesters, negotiated between the student, the practicum coordinator and the agency.

Enrolment process

Students must enrol in YWK2113, having completed the necessary prerequisite units. In exceptional circumstances, students who commence the course mid-year may commence the practicum unit in their second semester of study, with the permission of the Course Coordinator.

Professional practice rules

The requirements of the West Australian Association of Youth Workers must be satisfied.

Implications of failing

Students who fail the practicum will fail the unit YWK2113. There is an option to re-enrol, subject to normal ECU rules about repeating units. Students should be aware that they have to pass the practicum unit to complete the course.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of youth work theory, methods, principles and values with multi-disciplinary research.
2. Analyse and evaluate the contribution of youth work to society, communities and young people demonstrating cross cultural responsiveness.
3. Review, analyse and synthesise youth and community work knowledge by engaging in both critical thinking and reflective practice to resolve problems encountered in professional work as a novice graduate youth worker.
4. Identify how global context shapes similarities and differences in work with young people in other countries.
5. Plan, design, develop, implement and evaluate programs and services that meet young peoples needs and the requirements of employers and of funding bodies.
6. Professionally and ethically communicate youth work knowledge amongst diverse audiences including young people, families, colleagues and the public.
7. Demonstrate knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to make decisions based upon their full environmental, social, cultural and economic implications relating to Youth Work.
8. Demonstrate ability to collaborate professionally with others through team work in academic and professional environments.
9. Demonstrate use of technologies appropriate to youth work professional practice.
10. Apply and evaluate sustainability principles in program design and development and problem solving in the context of youth work professional practice.
11. Apply understanding of sociocultural and international diversity and other values that are the underpinning of youth work as a discipline.
12. Demonstrate English literacy appropriate to professional youth work communication, including all relevant forms of oral and written communication, both formal and informal.
13. Demonstrate numeracy proficiency appropriate to professional youth work including numeracy sufficient to develop and read budgets for service provision and to interpret and produce reports that include qualitative and quantitative data.

Professional Recognition

Unit sets

One or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 3)

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• AQF Cert IV;
• Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Undergraduate Certificate;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;
• Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment; or
• Experience Based Entry Scheme.

English Language requirement (Band 3)

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

• Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;
• Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;
• AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
• Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 3 Years
• Part Time: 6 Years

Course Delivery

• Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time
• Online: Full Time, Part Time

Course Coordinator

A/Prof Trudi COOPER

Course Structure

Students are required to complete 11 Core units. In addition to the core units, students should complete any 12 unit major in the School of Arts and Humanities from discipline areas such as Social Science, Youth Work, Design, Psychology, Arts, Contemporary Arts and Media & Communications; or any other combination of majors, minors, or elective units from the School of Arts and Humanities or other schools where available.

Note: YWK2113 is a year-long unit.

One or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.