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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
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Duration
2 years full-time; 4 years part-time
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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
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ATAR
NA
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Inherent Requirements
No
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 7.0
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
MSW(ProfQual)
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Course code
1207269
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Credit points
192
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Equivalent units
16
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Indicative Fee
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, mental health, 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 current Australian 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). Graduates are eligible for AASW membership.
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.
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.
Entry 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
Language 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 |
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First Year |
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| SWRK5001 | Social Work Foundations for Practice |
Term1,5
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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| SWRK5002 | Social Work Direct Practice I |
Term1,5
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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| WELF3002 | Issues of Protection |
Term2,3
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SWRK5003 | Social Policy and Law for Social Work |
Summer Term
Term2
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SWRK5004 | Social Work Direct Practice II |
Term3
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SWRK5007 | Social Work Field Placement I |
Tri Term1,2
|
36 | Note 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Second Year |
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| INDG6002 | Health and Indigenous Peoples |
Term1,5
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SWRK6003 | Research for Social Work |
Term1
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SWRK6001 | Social Work across the Lifespan |
Term2
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SWRK6002 | Social Work in Groups and Communities |
Term2
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SWRK6004 | Social Work Organisations, Leadership and Management |
Term4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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| SWRK6007 | Social Work Field Placement II |
Tri Term1,2
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36 | Note 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
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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 |