Master of Social Work

The course has been introduced as part of the Melbourne Model at the University of Melbourne. This model allows students to gain broader undergraduate skills through a choice of six generalist degree programs and then to undertake professional or research programs at masters level. This course gives graduates considering a social work career the opportunity of a higher level degree and enhanced learning outcomes, rather than undertaking a second undergraduate degree to achieve a social work qualification. This program prepares social workers for research careers as well as practice careers.

The Master of Social Work offers you an outstanding postgraduate course of study, preparing you for professional practice in a diverse range of social work contexts. The course provides you with a nationally and internationally benchmarked course of study in the theory and practice of social work.

The MSW degree:

• Prepares students for professional social work practice in a diverse range of contexts;
• Provides students with foundational theories informing social work practice;
• Introduces students to the methods of social work practice, including casework, counselling, groupwork, community development, policy and research;
• Introduces students to the fields of social work practice, including child and family, ageing, health, mental health, and disability;
• Immerses students in practice through the two 75 day fieldwork placements;
• Offers a research pathway for those wanting to pursue further study

Over two years you will enrol in 175 points of coursework subjects and 50 points of fieldwork subjects. You will undertake four theory subjects totaling 50 credit points per semester in your first year. At mid-year you will undertake a block of supervised field placement of 75 days duration, worth 25 credit points. In the second year you will undertake three theory subjects totaling 37.5 credit points per semester with a mid-year block of supervised field placement, also of 75 days duration worth 25 credit points. In the final semester one subject is an elective concentration subject.

If you choose the research pathway you will enrol in the structure is exactly the same as for the coursework only degree until semester 2 in the second year when you enrol in the Social Work Thesis subject in addition to your coursework subjects. This pathway will extend your enrolment by one semester.

First Year

Second Year

Second Year Concentration Subject

Research Pathway Only

Third Year

Part-time enrolment

Master of Social Work (225 points)

The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue the course successfully using the following criteria –

• an undergraduate degree, or equivalent; and
• at least 40 hours of documented relevant work experience; and
• a statement of up to 500 words by the applicant.

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

Note: Relevant work experience may be paid or unpaid, and may be full-time or parttime, but for part-time experience, at least 40 hours should normally have been
obtained in a single three-month period.

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 courses. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they must actively and safely contribute to clinical/field work activities. Students who think their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

For students who undertake the 225 coursework MSW pathway, further coursework and research pathways are available:

• For postgraduate, specialist coursework, MSW graduates are eligible to apply for the Master of Advanced Social Work after two years of professional practice.
• For postgraduate research, the MPhil is available upon graduation from the MSW.

For students who undertake the 250 research pathway within the MSW, they are similarly eligible to apply for the MASW after two years of professional practice or for the PhD upon graduation from the MSW.

The MSW aims to offer its students an outstanding postgraduate course of study, preparing students for professional practice in a diverse range of social work contexts. The course provides students with a nationally and internationally benchmarked course of study, in the theory and practice of social work.

Graduates of the MSW degree will be expected to develop advanced generic skills in the areas of critical thinking, communication and research.

As a student of the Master of Social Work you will benefit from:

• a curriculum approved by the Australian Association of Social Workers;
• well-qualified, experienced, research-active and accessible teachers, with strong ties to the profession and community services;
• mixed teaching methods: lectures; tutorials; seminars; collaborative learning; practice simulations;
• a well-developed field education program, including several student units in key agencies in the health, aging, child and family, drug and alcohol and women's services;
• good coverage of particular fields of practice such as: mental health; child and family practice; health; aging; substance abuse;
• excellent student facilities and the backing of a well-resourced major university;
• the excellent employment record for our graduates in a wide range of fields and job descriptions;
• a diverse and talented population of students at entry-to-practice, advanced practice and research levels