Master of Social Work

This program has been designed for you to master the advanced knowledge and skills required for professional critical social work practice.

Building on the knowledge and skills you bring to the program you will:develop your cognitive and technical skills in critically analysing the contemporary human services sector in an international context;

synthesise and apply appropriate interdisciplinary knowledge about human development, human needs and human problems, across a range of social work practice contexts;

undertake professional practice in interpersonal, intra-familial, group, organisational, community and policy contexts as evidenced by successful completion of industry based field education (work integrated learning) and utilise and undertake research in professional practice .This program will equip you to practice as social worker with individuals, families, groups and communities in a range of settings and roles.

While the program prepares you for social work practice in Australia, your learning is situated within an international comparative approach that recognises that practice is not limited by the national context.Through your completion of two supervised professional practice placements you will consolidate your learning and integrate theory and practice across the range of social work practices.

A capstone experience based on an individually negotiated professional project will enable you to bring together your practice experience and research skills to contribute to critical assessment of practice directions and innovations in the many fields of practice in which social workers are employed.

This capstone project will enable you to synthesize and integrate your knowledge, connect theory and practice and demonstrate your holistic achievement of the program learning outcomes.On completion of the program you will be eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

You will also be prepared to pursue research and scholarship at a higher degree level.Successful completion of this program provides a pathway into a PhD.

All courses listed may not be available each semester

Year One of Program

Semester One: Complete the following Four (4) Courses:

Semester Two: Complete the following Three (3) Courses:

AND

Year Two of Program

Semester One: Complete the following Three (3) Courses:

Select and Complete One (1) of the following Courses:

Semester Two: Complete the following Two (2) Courses:

Select and Complete One (1) of the following Courses:

You must have successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) which includes at least one year of full time studies in social sciences (or equivalent). Selection for Commonwealth Supported Places is competitive based on grade point average and professional experience.

To have your professional experience considered you must include with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your relevant professional experience.

International English language requirement

A minimum IELTS (Academic module) overall score of 7.0, with no band less than 7.0; or equivalent. For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the English requirements web page.

Upon successful completion of this program you will be able to:

• Apply specialist social work knowledge and skills to understanding and responding to contemporary social disadvantage, oppression and marginalisation, recognising the fundamentally political nature of social suffering
• Use appropriate research strategies to inform ethical professional social work practice and to broaden the scope of contemporary social work theory and practice
• Critically analyse theories informing social work practice and the contemporary policy context to develop an evidence base for ethical professional practice
• Apply advanced problem solving skills and techniques of intervention that bring together complex information transferable across different institutional and cultural contexts of practice, incorporating innovative interventions to effectively meet the needs of individuals, families, groups and communities
• Theorise and develop interventions that address the social structural and political levels through which poverty and inequality are generated and critically assess policies and programs developed to address disadvantage
• Apply research knowledge and skills to develop practice research based interventions and conduct independent research to contribute to the generation of specialist social work knowledge and skills
• Apply sophisticated oral and written communication skills to present complex information to individuals, organisations and professional and non-professional communities in accessible and culturally appropriate ways
• Apply critical analytical problem solving skills to develop innovative and creative policy and practice responses to contemporary social problems, and promote the fundamental social, economic and cultural rights of individuals, families, groups and communities
• Practice as an autonomous, ethical and critical social work practitioner with a commitment to lifelong learning
• Engage in practice which acknowledges the fundamentally multicultural nature of contemporary societies and acknowledges the unique position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, seeking to promote the rights of these groups