Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)

The Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) provides graduates with the theoretical and practical skills required to work as a professional social worker, an occupation that the Australian government predicts will continue to experience very strong growth.

This course is accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and graduates are eligible to become a member of the AASW.

Social workers typically work with disadvantaged and marginalised individuals, groups, and communities within a social justice and human rights framework in counselling, advocacy, and the enhancement of health and well-being.

Social workers address the barriers, inequality and injustices faced by many groups in our community.

UNE's social work program embraces a framework that examines the dynamic interaction of human behaviour, institutions and complex social interactions.

Covering all the core requirements of an accredited professional social work degree, the MSW (Professional Qualifying) at UNE emphasises practice in rural and complex community environments, and focuses on rights-based practice, mental health, Indigenous peoples, child protection and the law.

The course incorporates the mandatory 1000 hours of professional fieldwork placement supervised by experienced practitioners indiverse social work settings locally and overseas.

Study requirements allow students choice to study either on campus or online, with periodic compulsory intensive face-to-face classes for students who learn by distance.

Course Aims

UNE's AASW accredited postgraduate program enables students with a relevant undergraduate degree to qualify and practice as a professional social worker. This course creates a pathway for those seeking to enter and progress a career within the diverse practice fields of social work. Graduates are prepared for professional practice across a wide range of employment opportunities within Australia and internationally, embracing the values of social justice, human rights and ethical practice.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate commitment to the social work professions three key value areas integral to social work practice, respect for persons; social justice; and professional integrity; create knowledge of, respect for, and ability to work professionally with varied social, ethnic, cultural and religious groups that make up Australian society, with a particular emphasis on marginalised and Indigenous people; interpret and assess the impacts of disadvantage, disability and trauma upon the health and well-being of people and its implications for practice responses; analyse and effectively respond to the rapidly changing social and environmental issues that impact the lives of individuals within a given community at local, national and international levels; demonstrate skills for in-depth analysis, reflection, judgement and application of theories for ethical engagement with individuals, families groups, and communities across a range of contexts; generate research to advance, apply and maintain evidence-informed social work practice to deal effectively with complex issues affecting individuals, groups and communities; and acquire and manage lifelong learning skills with a firm preparation for professional and career development.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Students study theory and practice units covering increasingly complex social work practice knowledge, skills and values. Students build on theoretical knowledge covered in their undergraduate degree and are exposed to the global perspectives of social work, including the manner in which systemic issues of social justice have local impacts on populations and social work practice. This perspective is gained as students develop an understanding of human rights and social marginalisation, and the ways in which change, society, culture and practice are connected. Students demonstrate their developing knowledge, skills and values through assessment tasks in all units, including fieldwork placements. Completing a discipline related research project is integral to the capstone field unit. Communication Skills Working interactively and responsively with a range of stakeholders is a core social work skill. Cooperative peer feedback will be an important part of tutorial/online discussion as students are taught to collaboratively explore and develop their understanding of course materials. Fieldwork placement is a site for the further development and assessment of communication skills. Problem Solving Many social work theory and practice units are taught using case scenarios to critically examine and assess the biopsychosocial implications and develop practice options. Social work students learn to practise using a global perspective that highlights the manner in which extra-local factors impact on local lived experience. This perspective is gained as students develop an understanding of disadvantage, marginalisation and the ways in which change, society and culture connectedly contribute to this. This attribute will be assessed through assignment tasks. Information Literacy Guidance is provided about how to use information and communication technologies and contemporary search procedures to identify and access relevant information about practice and social trends. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Ethical practice and social responsibility are core social work requirements that are taught, assessed and practised across the course in assessment tasks. Students are expected to demonstrate these values in practice and identify possible responses to a range of client and professional situations. This attribute is assessed through assignment tasks. Lifelong Learning Consistent with the AASW Practice Standards, students will be exposed to, taught about, and expected to develop, independent learning plans and strategies throughout the course and in subsequent practice. Independence and Collaboration Independence and collaboration are essential in social education and practice. Students are taught to be active learners, and to develop independent thinking as well as collaborative practice skills. All social work theory and practice units are taught in a case-based learning framework where students are expected to demonstrate independence and also contribute to group learning. This perspective is assessed and practised in all units.