Master of Advanced Social Work

The Master of Advanced Social Work (Research) allows students to combine coursework with extensive independent research in social work. It encourages an advanced practice-oriented and theoretical approach, and supports self-directed, lifelong learning. To be eligible for the award of the degree, candidates must achieve an average grade of at least H3 (65%) or higher.

Intake

• Students may commence the degree at any time during the year between 1st February and 15 December.
• Commencement is subject to prior arrangement with their nominated supervisor and the MDHS Student Centre. (Scholarships have separate rules and students should seek approval from Melbourne Scholarships to vary their scholarshp commencement).
• Please check with the relevant academic unit prior to making any arrangements for enrolment or travel.

Policies
A range of University policies and procedures apply to students enrolled in Higher Degrees by Research.

• Candidature (enrolment)
• Examinations
• Courses and course structures
• Academic progress
• Preparation of the thesis
• Selection and admission
• Management of research data and records

Graduates of the degree will:

• acquire research skills and undertake a shorter thesis which is relevant to social work practice and/or social policy;
• undertake preparation for advanced practice.

The Master of Advanced Social Work (Research) is comprised of 150 credit points. Students complete a thesis of 30,000 words, the Research Processes subject, and one elective. Refer to the Department of Social Work.

Credit points: Total 150 points.

Duration: 1.5 years full-time / 3 years part-time

Attendance:

• All candidates are required to attend departmental seminars over the period of their candidature.
• All candidates are required to complete a minimum of 6 months full-time research at the University in order to benefit from planning, conducting and writing up their research within a University community and environment.
• Normally the entire degree is undertaken at the University.
• To be eligible to submit a thesis students must be enrolled in their course for the minimum period of 6 months full-time equivalent.

Thesis:

• Candidates enrol in a year-long thesis subject for the duration of the degree.
• A candidate will have appropriately experienced supervisor/s and an Advisory Committee who in consultation with the candidate, arranges a course of supervised research designed to suit the individual requirements and interests of the candidate.
• A candidate may be required to supplement their research program by attendance at, or enrolment in, additional subjects if considered necessary by the supervisor(s).
• Academic progress in regard to the research thesis is reviewed regularly throughout the degree.
• All candidates for the degree will be examined on the basis of their thesis which is examined externally. The thesis should normally be 30,000 words in length excluding tables, illustrations and bibliography.
• Candidates should refer to the University policy library for further information regarding candidature, academic progress, ethics, thesis preparation and examinatio

Electives: Not all of elective subjects will be available every year. Some may be on a two year cycle. Students may vary their course plans by negotiation with the Course Coordinator if they wish to undertake a specific specialist or elective subject.

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have:

• completed a medical degree with a minimum (University of Melbourne) 80% weighted average, or equivalent; and
• held the completion for at least two years.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the selection committee will consider:

• prior academic performance and, if relevant, professional qualifications;
• performance at interview;
• understanding of the research question to be explored;
• motivation and capacity to complete the course in a timely manner;
• relevant prior research and/or professional experience; and
• referee reports.

3. The selection committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission into Graduate Research Courses Policy.

4. The minimum English language requirements for this course are Band 7.

Throughout their candidature candidates are expected to attend the University in order to benefit from planning, conducting and writing up their research within a University community and environment. The University will not approve entirely distance supervision or entirely on-line supervision for higher degree by research students.

The residency requirement is deemed especially important during the period of probationary candidature. During probationary candidature the student is expected to interact on a regular basis with the supervisor, the department (including staff and other research students) and the University, so as:

• to build the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the proposed research program
• to acquire an understanding of the standards and requirements for a higher degree by research awarded by the University
• to make use of support programs and facilities provided by the University throughout candidature.

For the purposes of considering requests 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 Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections 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/

Doctoral degrees at the University of Melbourne seek to develop graduates who demonstrate academic leadership, increasing independence, creativity and innovation in their research work. In addition, professional doctoral studies provide advanced training designed to enhance professional knowledge in a specialist area, and encourage the acquisition of a wide range of advanced and transferable skills.

The University expects its doctoral graduates to have the following qualities and skills:

• an advanced ability to initiate research and to formulate viable research questions.
• a demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and report sustained and original research.
• the capacity to contextualise research within an international corpus of specialist knowledge.
• an advanced ability to evaluate and synthesize research-based and scholarly literature.
• an advanced understanding of key disciplinary and multi-disciplinary norms and perspectives relevant to the field.
• highly developed problem-solving abilities and flexibility of approach.
• the ability to analyse critically within and across a changing disciplinary environment.
• the capacity to disseminate the results of research and scholarship by oral and written communication to a variety of audiences.
• a capacity to cooperate with and respect the contributions of fellow researchers and scholars.
• a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship.
• an advanced facility in the management of information, including the application of computer systems and software where appropriate to the student's field of study.
• an understanding of the relevance and value of their research to national and international communities of scholars and collaborators.
• an awareness where appropriate of issues related to intellectual property management and the commercialisation of innovation.
• an ability to formulate applications to relevant agencies, such as funding bodies and ethics committees.

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Applications

• Detailed information regarding the application process is available at: http://research.mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/future-grs
• Prior to submitting an application, applicants should discuss their research interests with a potential supervisor of the department in which they would like to enrol and discuss any external commitments which may impede their successful academic progress.

Which scholarship can I apply for?

• Students can find information about graduate research scholarships offered by the University of Melbourne at the Melbourne Scholarships Office and on the Faculty's website.

Facilities and Supports

• The University makes available a broad range of Programs & Services to graduate research students.