Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)

Social workers can be a lifeline for people facing difficulties related to financial, medical, mental health or relational circumstances. This course enables you to develop the skills, knowledge and values to become a strategic, ethical and reflective social work practitioner.

Our accredited Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) is suited to applicants with previous experience in the study of the social sciences, social welfare, psychology or related fields.

In this program, you'll examine child protection, social policy and law, health issues impacting Indigenous communities, and leadership in social work organisations. You'll also undertake practice under the supervision of an experienced social worker.

As a graduate, you'll be ready for a career as a professional social worker in Australia and may also be eligible for employment overseas.

Residential Schools 2021 (mandatory for online students)

Session 1: April 2021

Session 2: August 2021

Session 3: November 2021

The course includes core content in child protection, cross-cultural practice, mental health work, and work with people from Indigenous communities. It covers essential theories and methods of social work practice including effective practice in working with individuals, groups and communities. Students are also exposed to key knowledge in using social policy and the law to advance the rights of clients and community members.

Please note, in accordance with Australian Association of Social Work (AASW) accreditation standards, this course requires online students to attend mandatory residential schools throughout the year. As an online student, you must be available to attend the residential schools on the following dates:

Session 1: WEL 91003/4 and WEL92001/2 - April 2021.

Session 2: WEL91005 - August 2021.

Session 3: WEL91003/4 - November 2021.

Graduates of this degree will qualify as social workers in Australia. Graduates may also be eligible to apply to work as social workers overseas.

Graduates will be suited to employment in a wide range of jobs in the health and community services sectors. These include positions that are designated solely for social work-qualified staff (e.g. in hospitals), as well as other human services jobs that are open to other graduates. Graduates may be employed in organisations such as Centrelink, public and private hospitals, child protection agencies, Australian Defence Force, domestic violence services, housing and homelessness agencies, aged care and disability services, mental health agencies, family counselling agencies, rehabilitation services and private practice.

To be awarded the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying ) students must complete the equivalent of 14 units (192 credit points) comprising:

14 core units (192 credit points)

Exit Award

Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Human Services Studies after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) comprising:

8 core units (96 credit points)

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.