Master of Social Policy

Course 706-AA (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Year and Campus: 2008
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate

Contact

Graduate Enquiries, Arts & Music Student Centre
Rm 104 (Ground Floor) Old Arts Building
Tel: +61 3 8344 5321/+61 3 8344 6395
Fax: +61 3 9347 0424
Email: arts-gradstudies@unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview:

The Master of Social Policy offers a curriculum that reflects cutting edge theory in a number of professional development fields. Graduates will be equipped with the skills necessary for advanced community sector management and policy making, including the skills to:

  • analyse key areas of contemporary social policy: governance, inclusion\exclusion, social capital, globalisation etc;
  • engage with the social dimensions of social policy: race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, age etc;
  • understand social policy as a contested process and apply research skills to a range of organisational contexts;
  • draw on a range of disciplines and take a comparative and global focus.

Course coordinator:

Dr Tim Marjoribanks

School of Political Science , Criminology and Sociology

tkmarj@unimelb.edu.au

Objectives:

Students who complete this course should develop a number of generic skills that should help them with future study and employment. Students will enhance their skills in:

  • Research: through competent use of advanced information sources and retrieval of appropriate information;
  • Critical and theoretical thinking: through presentation of research papers, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgements and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis;
  • Time management and planning: through managing and organising workloads;
  • Team work: through small group discussions.
Course Structure & Available Subjects: 200 point program

Duration: 2 years full-time / up to 4 years part-time

First 100 points:
  • two compulsory subjects (25 points)
  • six elective subjects (62.5 points)
Second 100 points:

Refer to the 100 point program.

Total 200 points. Subjects are 12.5 points unless otherwise stated.

100 point program

Duration: 1 year full-time / up to 2 years part-time

  • four compulsory subjects (62.5 points)
  • three elective subjects (37.5 points), at least one of which must be selected from List A
Total 100 points. Subjects are 12.5 points unless otherwise stated.
Subject Options: 200 point program
First 100 points

Compulsory subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Elective subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
25
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Note: Written permission is required from the MSP Coordinator prior to enrolment in the thesis. To be eligible to enrol in the minor thesis students must have completed at least 37.5 points within the program with an average of H1 (80%) and have submitted a written proposal of 300 words for approval by the MSP Coordinator.

Students cannot do both the thesis and the individual research topic (166-522).


Second 100 points

See 100 point program
100 point program

Compulsory subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

List A elective subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
37.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

List B elective subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2008
12.500
Entry Requirements: 1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria –

For the 200 point program
• an undergraduate degree with a major area of study related to social policy with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in any field with an overall grade average of at least H2B (70%) and at least one year of full time documented relevant professional work experience, or equivalent.

For the 100-point program
• an honours degree with a major area of study related to social policy with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in any field and at least two years of full time documented relevant professional work experience, or equivalent.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or tests and may call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Documented evidence of relevant professional experience:
Applicants seeking admission into 100 program must provide the following documentation in support of their application for the recognition of prior professional experience:
• brief curriculum vitae, detailing work experience;
• contact details of two referees ;
• a covering letter outlining the applicants professional background and how this prepares them to successfully undertake the program.
In some cases, an interview and/or two reference letters from employers/managers detailing the period of employment and areas of responsibility, and/or evidence of written work or reports undertaken during the period of employment may be requested.
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability
Graduate Attributes: None
Links to further information: http://www.public-policy.unimelb.edu.au/

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