This course is designed to develop a broad range of knowledge and skills that will prepare you for a career in community services.

The Diploma of Arts (Community) will present you with a pathway into the second year of the Bachelor of Arts (Community Development). You will receive a number of credits towards the Diploma of Community Services Work Year 1, and the Bachelor of Youth Work.

The qualification will provide you with a structured introduction to:

• sociology
• human rights
• community development
• detailed language, literacy and numeracy support

You will develop an understanding of the community services industry and the skills required to work with individuals within community settings.

• Location:
  Footscray Nicholson and Footscray Park
• Faculty:
  Faculty of Workforce Development
• School:
  School of Health and Community Services
• Study mode:
  Full Time
• Delivery mode:
  On campus and Working in the Workplace
• Course code:
  WDAC
• Duration:
  1 year
• This information is for Australian residents.
  Click here to search for courses available to non-residents

How to apply

This course is designed to provide as a streamline pathway with guaranteed entry into the second year of the Bachelor of Arts (Community Development). On completion of the course students may also choose to enter the Diploma of Community Services Work or the Bachelor of Youth Work and are eligible to apply for RPL.

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

Participants in this qualification will gain exposure to theoretical and practice models for applications in a range of community settings. Students will develop foundational theoretical knowledge and practice principles in both the government and non-government community services sector organisations and community-based programs.    

The aim of the course is to provide foundation skills and knowledge in the area of community development and community services studies. Graduates of this course can continue their studies and capitalise on the numerous pathways being offered within VU, in particular the Bachelor of Arts (Community Development).

The objectives of the course are for students to develop:

• generic knowledge and skills to enable an understanding of the community development and community services profession and their contexts;
• foundational knowledge and skills in working with people in community settings;
• a critical understanding of the social and political dimensions of disadvantage, and how it relates to individuals and community groups in societies; and
• strengthened language and literacy skills with explicit attention to discipline-linked units relating to sociology and human rights

• Community Development 1

  Unit code

  WDA1001

  Credits

  12

• Community Integrated Project - Fieldwork 1

  Unit code

  WDA1002

  Credits

  12

• Academic Research

  Unit code

  WDA1003

  Credits

  12

• Communication ,Culture and Community

  Unit code

  WDA1004

  Credits

  12

• Critical Literacy

  Unit code

  WDA1005

  Credits

  12

• Introduction to Sociology

  Unit code

  WDA1006

  Credits

  12

• Foundations of Sociology

  Unit code

  WDA1007

  Credits

  12

• Human Rights and Advocacy

  Unit code

  WDA1008

  Credits

  12

The Diploma of Arts (Community) is a diploma comprising of eight Units of Study, each with 12 credit points

• Year 12: Applicants must have successfully completed VCE (or equivalent)
• International: Applicants must provide evidence of proficiency in the English language: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) result with an overall score of 5.5. Applicants must also have completed a secondary school qualification equivalent to Australia's Year 12.
• Mature: Applicants who have not completed Year 12 but who possess appropriate educational qualifications, work or life experiences which would enable them to successfully undertake the course, will be considered for admission.