Master of Social Work

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. On completion you will be eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

This is an AASW-accredited qualification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

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, health and mental health;
• Immerses students in practice through the two 70 day fieldwork placements;
• Provides a pathway for graduates wanting to pursue doctoral study.

The Master of Social Work comprises 225 credit point, on-campus, coursework degree, with a field placement component.

First Year

Second Year

The following subjects, plus an elective subject in semester 2.

Second Year Elective Subjects

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• an undergraduate degree with at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences, or equivalent; and
• at least 40 hours of documented relevant work experience; and
• a personal statement outlining why they wish to be considered for the course; and
• nomination of a professional referee.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic performance; and
• the work experience; and
• the personal statement; and
• the referee report.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Student Application and Selection Procedure.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7+ is required.

Relevant work experience may be paid or unpaid, and may be full-time or part-time, 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.

Graduates may progress to a range of other graduate programs including the Master of Advanced Social Work (Research), Master of Philosophy or the Doctor of Philosophy.

Through the theoretical and practical curricula of the MSW degree, its graduates will be professional social workers who are academically excellent, knowledgeable across disciplines, leaders in communities, attuned to cultural diversity, and active global citizens.

This is an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)-accredited qulaification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

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.

Benefits

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