Back to Find Courses page

Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)

Masters by Coursework

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    2 years full-time; 4 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    All students, including those enrolled online, are required to participate in on-campus learning for a minimum of 20 days/150hrs over the duration of the course. This requirement is stipulated by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

  • Placements

    Yes

  • Course abbreviation

    MSW(ProfQual)

  • Course code

    1207269

  • Credit points

    192

  • Equivalent units

    16

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

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.

Please note: All students, including those enrolled online, are required to participate in on-campus learning for a minimum of 20 days/150hrs over the duration of the course. This requirement is stipulated by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). Students meet this requirement by attending compulsory residential schools conducted at the Gold Coast campus.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Ability to apply social work values, knowledge and skills in research processes to address client needs, organisational goals and social policy change.

GA2: Creativity

Ensure that client needs, organisational goals and community expectations of social work services are met in the most appropriate manner, using social work knowledge, skills and resources.

GA3: Ethical practice

Engage in direct social work practice, through mutual engagement and the application of knowledge, ethics and skills, to ensure that clients’ needs are met, that their potential is developed and that their control over their lives is fostered.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Promote and implement policies and practices to achieve a fair, equitable and efficient allocation of social resources, and identify inappropriate or inequitable policy goals and outcomes.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Demonstrate a commitment to continually increase professional knowledge and skills and to continuing education and lifelong learning.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, including clients, colleagues, and managers, including within a multi-disciplinary team environment.

GA7: Cultural competence

Ability to apply knowledge of organisational and societal systems and processes to identify inequality and ensure appropriate action is taken so that social barriers, inequality and injustice are reduced.

In line with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) requirements, students will be required to undertake 1,000 hours of supervised practice. All students, whether studying on campus or online, are required to attend two field education placements. These placements are completed in two separate organisations in different fields of practice so that students gain a diversity of experience.

The Social Work Field Placement I unit involves 400 hours (57 days) in the first year (of full-time study), with a minimum of three days per week spent on placement. In addition, the Social Work Field Placement II unit involves 600 hours (86 days) in the second year (of full-time study), with a minimum of three days per week spent on placement. These time commitments apply to both full-time and part-time students.

Please note: All students must obtain a National Police Check and Working with Children Check. Some agencies also require students undertaking placements to be immunised for a number of conditions and to have up-to-date vaccinations. Most agencies require students to have a driver’s licence.

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 Workers (AASW) accreditation standards, this course requires online students to attend mandatory residential schools throughout the year. Students will be notified of the residential school dates on commencement.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Term 1, Term 5 N/A N/A
Online Term 1, Term 5 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

This is an Australian Association of Social Workers accredited qualification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and meets the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Students admitted to the MSW(Prof Qual) are required to have completed a relevant three year AQF Level 7 degree course that contains at least one year, or the equivalent, of full-time studies in the social and behavioural sciences.

To be accepted into the program, international students who have not completed a Year 12 or equivalent secondary school level qualification or higher qualification in the English language consistent with the requirements for admission to AQF Level 9 degree course in Australia must have a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in each component (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (or equivalent) test upon application.

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall Score7.0
Reading7.0
Writing7.0
Listening7.0
Speaking7.0

Credit for prior learning

Candidates, who have completed the SCU Bachelor of Social Welfare, or equivalent degree, may apply to have not more than 25% or four (4) units assessed for advanced standing, on a case by case basis.

Course requirements

To be awarded the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying ) students must complete the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points) comprising all 12 core units (192 credit points)

Professional Experience Learning / Field Education

This course includes professional experience learning via field education. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience Field Education page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & 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 Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

SWRK5001 Social Work Foundations for Practice
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,5
Term1,5
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Enrolment information Full-time students are advised to take this unit at the same time as SWRK5002 Social Work Direct Practice I. Students are required to meet participation requirements in this unit. Attendance is compulsory. Online students must attend a three-day residential and Gold Coast students must attend 3 one-day seminars across the term. Further details, including dates, will be advised via the Blackboard site.
SWRK5002 Social Work Direct Practice I
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,5
Term1,5
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Enrolment information Full-time students are advised to take this unit at the same time as SWRK5001 Social Work Foundations for Practice. Students are required to meet participation requirements in this unit. Attendance is compulsory. Online students must attend a four-day residential and Gold Coast students must attend four one-day seminars across the term. Further details, including dates, will be advised via the Blackboard site and Timetables.
WELF3002 Issues of Protection
Term2,3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,3
Term2,3
Online
Term2,3
Term2,3
SWRK5003 Social Policy and Law for Social Work
Summer Term
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Summer Term
Term2
Summer Term
Term2
Online
Summer Term
Term2
Summer Term
Term2
SWRK5004 Social Work Direct Practice II
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites SWRK5002 - Social Work Direct Practice I
SWRK5007 Social Work Field Placement I
Tri Term1,2
36 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Tri Term1,2
Tri Term1,2
Online
Tri Term1,2
Tri Term1,2
Pre-requisites SWRK5001 - Social Work Foundations for Practice AND SWRK5002 - Social Work Direct Practice I
Anti-requisites SWRK5005 - Social Work Field Placement Ia
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit.
Enrolment restrictions Students must seek approval to enrol having provided required documentation in accordance with Field Education guidelines.

Second Year

INDG6002 Health and Indigenous Peoples
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,5
Term1,5
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
SWRK6003 Research for Social Work
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
SWRK6001 Social Work across the Lifespan
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Enrolment information Full-time students are advised to take this unit at the same time as SWRK6002 Social Work in Groups and Communities. Students are required to meet participation requirements in this unit. Attendance is compulsory. All students must attend for a total of 24.5 hours. Online students are asked to attend a 3.5 day residential. Gold Coast students are asked to attend 7 × 3.5-hour seminars delivered as one day and ½ day workshops. Further details, including dates, will be advised via the Blackboard site. This unit should be completed after SWRK5001, SWRK5002 and SWRK5004.
SWRK6002 Social Work in Groups and Communities
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Enrolment information Full-time students are advised to take this unit at the same time as SWRK6001 Social Work across the Lifespan. Students are required to meet participation requirements in this unit. Attendance is compulsory. All online students must attend a 3.5-day residential and Gold Coast students must attend four seminars across the term. Further details, including dates, will be advised via the Blackboard site. This unit should be completed after SWRK5001, SWRK5002, and SWRK5004.
SWRK6004 Social Work Organisations, Leadership and Management
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
SWRK6007 Social Work Field Placement II
Tri Term1,2
36 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Tri Term1,2
Tri Term1,2
Online
Tri Term1,2
Tri Term1,2
Pre-requisites SWRK5007 - Social Work Field Placement I
Anti-requisites SWRK6005 - Social Work Field Placement IIa
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit. This placement should be completed at the end of your degree.
Enrolment restrictions Students must seek approval to enrol having provided required documentation in accordance with Field Education guidelines.

Note 1:

Triple-weighted unit.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
WELF3002 Issues of Protection
SWRK5003 Social Policy and Law for Social Work
SWRK5001 Social Work Foundations for Practice
SWRK5002 Social Work Direct Practice I
SWRK5004 Social Work Direct Practice II
SWRK6001 Social Work across the Lifespan
SWRK5007 Social Work Field Placement I Note 1
SWRK6002 Social Work in Groups and Communities
INDG6002 Health and Indigenous Peoples
SWRK6003 Research for Social Work
SWRK6004 Social Work Organisations, Leadership and Management
SWRK6007 Social Work Field Placement II Note 1