Master of Social Work

The Master of Social Work at the University of Melbourne offers an outstanding graduate course of study. You will benefit from our research-led teaching, based on up-to-date data allowing you to apply the most relevant theory to your social work practice.

This is one of the first masters degrees accredited nationally by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). A master's degree in social work is a portable qualification, enabling you to work nationally or internationally.

The course is led by highly qualified, experienced, research-active and accessible experts in the field, with strong ties to the profession and community services. Their expertise encompasses specialist knowledge in particular fields of practice including: Mental health, child and family practice, health, ageing and substance abuse.

We give you strong research preparation through specific skill development in social work research. This is important in teaching you to utilise current research to inform your practice and as preparation for research studies

You will undertake a specialist elective in the final semester. Throughout the degree you will find special areas of social work that interest you. You can follow these up more closely by undertaking a specialist elective in:

• Health
• Psychiatric disability
• Group work
• Aged care
• Child and family
• Social policy or mental health

Over two years you will enrol in 175 points of coursework subjects and 50 points of field education subjects. You will undertake four theory subjects totaling 50 credit points per semester in your first year. At mid-year you will undertake a block of supervised field placement of 500 hours (approx. 67 days) duration, worth 25 credit points. In the second year you will undertake three theory subjects totaling 37.5 credit points per semester with a mid-year block of supervised field placement, also of 500 hours (approx. 67 days) duration worth 25 credit points. In the final semester one subject is an elective subject. By completing 25 credit points of research (taken in the MSW as Researching Social Work Practice 1 and 2), you are eligible to apply for the PhD directly after your MSW.

Degree structure (full-time enrolment)

Not all 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 elective subject.

The 2021 academic calendar for the Master of Social Work is available here.

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

All students undertaking a placement in a hospital, clinic or other health or community environment are required to satisfy a number of requirements, including:

• undergoing a recent National Police Record Check
• holding a valid Working with Children Check for the relevant state/territory, and
• being satisfactorily protected against infectious disease transmission.

Please refer to the Student Placements webpage for detailed information regarding compliance requirements.

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, group-work, 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 two 70 day fieldwork placements;
• Provides a pathway for graduates wanting to pursue doctoral study.

We are accepting applications for the 2021 Spring Intake. Offers will be issued on a rolling basis, provided there are places still available in the course.

Application Close Date - 11 June 2021