• Charles Sturt in Canberra ran its first ever intensive for students studying a Bachelor of Social Work

Students studying a Bachelor of Social Work at Charles Sturt University had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the first ever intensive learning program held in Canberra.

Up to 37 students completed their Social Work Theory and Practice Two intensive work through the week-long pilot at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture campus in Canberra, which was also run concurrently at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga during the first week of the August mid-session break.

Senior Lecturer and Course Director of the Bachelor of Social Work in the Charles Sturt School of Social Work and Arts Dr Trish Mackey said the intensive aimed to increase the accessibility and equity of studying social work by catering for the geographical diversity of students.

"It was wonderful to work with the students, seeing their excitement for social work practice,” Dr Mackey said.

"The pilot was a game changer for improving the accessibility of intensives for our social work student cohort.”

Dr Mackey said the feedback on the intensive so far had been positive.

"Preliminary feedback received from participants shows the success of the pilot, and we look forward to hopefully offering intensives in other locations in the future,” she said.

The pilot intensive also sought to support students from non-conventional backgrounds, such as mature age or part time students, as well as those impacted with increasing cost of living restraints.

Senior Lecturer in Social Work in the Charles Sturt School of Social Work and Arts Dr Monica Short said she felt privileged to be a part of teaching the course.

“I’m so thankful to have spent the week teaching this group of inspiring people who are passionate about social justice and the well-being of all those around them,” Dr Short said.

“I am so excited about the next generation of social workers.”

The intensive ran from Monday 21 August to Friday 25 August.

ENDS