Master of Advanced Social Work

The Master of Advanced Social Work (MASW) is an exciting, open-structure degree that allows you to further advance your professional development in your areas of interest. It offers a research-informed curriculum with a strong emphasis on the integration of theory and practice.

Within a single degree stream structure, you can choose from a pool of specialist subjects and focus on specialist areas such as:

• Child and family
• Clinical practice
• Health
• Human services management
• Mental health

Example course plans for the specialist areas can be found on the social work website.

The degree is specifically tailored to experienced and qualified social workers who wish to update their knowledge and take a leadership role in their particular area of practice, or for those wishing to acquire skills in a new area.

Learning and teaching

Having already completed a first degree and worked for a minimum of two years in the field, you will bring a broad range of skills and maturity to the program. You are therefore well placed for preparation as a leader within the social work profession. You are encouraged to achieve cultural sensitivity and the capacity to engage across cultures and internationally. The program ensures academic excellence by utilising the skills of specialists working within the specialist fields.

Benefits:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• A positive attitude to the acquisition of knowledge
• Intercultural sensitivity
• Communication skills
• Planning and time management
• Teamwork skills

Degree Structure

You may choose to complete your degree by undertaking eight 12.5 Specialist Subjects or alternatively, you may choose to undertake five 12.5-point specialist subjects plus a 37.5-point portfolio subject:

The specialist subjects can be taken as electives in the Master of Advanced Social Work. You can also take electives external to the School of Social Work, subject to approval by the Course Coordinator. We offer a pool of specialist subjects, most of which are on a 2-year cycle. Subject offerings are always made in accordance with current issues of relevance to social work, in a variety of fields.

Specialist Subjects

Please note that not all subjects are offered each year. Please refer to the semester for availability.

Portfolio Subject

The Master of Advanced Social Work has the following admission requirements:

Academic requirements
A qualifying Australian Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent

Recognition of qualification
Eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers

Work experience requirement
Two years of documented professional social work practice

English language requirements
All applicants must meet the University’s English language requirements. If English is not your first language, there are a number of ways of demonstrating that you have met this requirement. Details are available on the University of Melbourne Future Students website
If you have any uncertainty about your eligibility for the degree, please contact us directly. We welcome all applications, and you are encouraged to discuss your particular circumstances with us.

The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:

Academically excellent:

• have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
• have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
• reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
• be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
• be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies

Knowledgeable across disciplines:

• examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
• expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
• have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
• have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment

Leaders in communities:

• initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
• have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
• mentor future generations of learners
• engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs

Attuned to cultural diversity:

• value different cultures
• be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
  have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
  respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values

Active global citizens:

• accept social and civic responsibilities
• be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
• have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics