Master of Narrative Therapy and Community Work

The Master of Narrative Therapy and Community Work is a postgraduate specialist qualification for professionals interested in enhancing their clinical and practice-research skills. The degree is delivered as a joint initiative of the Department of Social Work (The University of Melbourne) and The Dulwich Centre, Adelaide. The Dulwich Centre is the international centre for narrative therapy training, established by the internationally renowned social worker and narrative therapist, Michael White, in 1984. The degree is a 100 credit point Master level degree, comprised of three coursework subjects.

Narrative approaches to therapy and community work are used by social workers, psychologists, community development workers, nurses, teachers, doctors, and other health professionals in a wide range of practice settings. The degree prepares graduates for working with narrative approaches with individuals, families and communities, particularly in the areas of trauma and recovery.

This course prepares graduates for narrative therapy and community work.

The course:

• Provides graduates with the theoretical and advanced skill base for working with narrativeapproaches with individuals, families and communities across the life course, particularly in the areas of trauma and recovery.
• Prepares graduates for narrative practice in diverse cultural contexts
• Introduces the specific theories and advanced skills of narrative therapy
• Engages students in critical reflection of their own practice development
• Engages students in practice research and writing for publication.

The MNTCW is comprised of three compulsory subjects, all at level 9:

• SCWK90060 Advanced Narrative Skills Development (25 credit points)
• SCWK90062 The Art of Narrative Practice (25 credit points)
• SCWK90061 Narrative Practice and Research Synthesis (50 credit points)

The course structure:

Year-long subject:

SCWK90061 Narrative Practice and Research Synthesis

Semester 1:

SCWK90060 Advanced Narrative Skills Development

Semester 2:

SCWK90062 The Art of Narrative Practice

An undergraduate degree or equivalent in a cognate discipline – the MNTCW provides further training in a specialist area of practice and research for those already practising as social workers, psychologists, nurses, teachers, doctors and other health professionals. Those applying to undertake the degree are professionals working in therapy and community work settings.

The work experience component enables students to have gained the necessary professional experience to engage with people in therapeutic and community work.

The personal statement enables the Selection Committee to assess the work experience and personal motivations of the applicant and therefore to assess the suitability of the applicant for the course, which is personally and academically demanding.

A professional referee report provides the Selection Committee with an independent assessment of the applicant’s ability to undertake the course.

English language requirements will be IELTS 6.5 on all bands.

Applicants must have attended introductory narrative therapy courses at the Dulwich Centre or equivalent

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

• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline, or equivalent; and
• evidence of two years of relevant work experience; and
• evidence of completion of prior narrative therapy studies at Dulwich Centre, or equivalent; and
• a statement of up to 500 words by the applicant; and
• a professional referee report.

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

The Master of Narrative Therapy and Community Work welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree 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 degree.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives 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 course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Knowledge

Graduates of the Master of Narrative Therapy and Community Work degree will have:

• a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in narrative therapy and community work, and how they relate to professional practice.
• knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to narrative therapy and community work.

Skills

Graduates of the Master of Narrative Therapy and Community Work degree will have:

• cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of narrative therapy and community work theories and skills; and to reflect critically on the theory and professional practice of narrative therapy and community work.
• cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories of narrative therapy to different bodies of knowledge or practice
• cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas concepts at an abstract level
• communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship

Application of knowledge and skills

Graduates of the Master of Narrative Therapy and Community Work degree will demonstrate the application of knowledge & skills:

• with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning
• with high level personal autonomy and accountability
• to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship