Master of Social Policy

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.

Students who complete the Master of Social Policy should:

• enhance their skills in research: through competent use of advanced information sources and retrieval of appropriate information;
• have critical and theoretical thinking: through presentation of research papers, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgements and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis;
• develop time management and planning: through managing and organising workloads;
• enhance their skills in team work: through small group discussions.

200 point program

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

The Master of Social Policy 200 point program requires:

First 100 points:

• two compulsory subjects (37.5 points)
• five elective subjects (62.5 points)

Second 100 points:

Coursework Only Option

• two compulsory subjects (25 points)
• six elective subjects (75 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option

• two compulsory subjects (25 points)
• thesis (37.5 points)
• electives (37.5 points)

Please note the following:

Written permission from the course coordinator is required for the minor thesis option.

The minor thesis requires enrolment over two consecutive semesters.

100 point program

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

The Master of Social Policy 100 point program requires:

Coursework Only Option

• four compulsory subjects (62.5 points)
• three elective subjects (37.5 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option

• four compulsory subjects (62.5 points)
• thesis (37.5 points)

Please note the following:

Written permission from the course coordinator is required for the minor thesis option.

The minor thesis requires enrolment over two consecutive semesters.

Capstone Requirements:

All students are required to complete the Capstone Requirement for the program (at least 25 points). Students must complete one capstone option -

Capstone Option 1: Minor Thesis – Public/Social Policy (PPMN90002)

Purpose: An opportunity to integrate knowledge and research skills to address a research question; pathway to the PhD.

Capstone Option 2: Executive Internship (PPMN90039)

Purpose: An opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in social policy practice to solve problems that arise in professional contexts and develop an integrated understanding of research and practice.

Capstone Option 3: Social Research Design and Evaluation (SOCI90005) + Comparative Social Policy (SOCI90003)

Purpose: Multiple opportunities to acquire research methods skills and integrate knowledge and research skills to address a research question, project or substantial piece of work.

For policies that govern this degree, see Academic Services Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Framework. Students also should also refer to information in the Student Policy Directory.

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 (equivalent to an Australian undergraduate degree) or equivalent, in a cognate discipline, with at least H2B (70%) average.

or

An undergraduate degree (equivalent to an Australian undergraduate degree) or equivalent, with at least H2B (70%) average, and one year of documented, relevant work experience or equivalent.

For the 100 point program

An honours degree (equivalent to a four year Australian Honours Degree) or equivalent, in a cognate discipline, with at least H2B (70%) average;

or

An undergraduate degree (equivalent to an Australian undergraduate degree) or equivalent, in a cognate discipline, with at least H2B (70%) average, and at least 2 years of documented, relevant work experience or equivalent

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Graduates may progress to a range of other graduate coursework programs. Those who complete the minor thesis elective may also qualify for entry to research higher degree programs, including the Doctor of Philosophy.

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