Master of Social Work

The Master of Social Work programs all have a strong focus on critical reflection on practice, research skills and theory development.

At the conclusion of their degree, students should be able to:

• examine and develop their practice
• critically evaluate existing practice and provision
• study and appraise alternative practices and theories
• investigate initiatives in social policy and their impact
• apply new knowledge and create new knowledge for practice and social provision
• become familiar with practice research, and
• assess their workplace and citizen needs in new ways

The combination of social work and social policy units of study provides the foundation for the School of Social Work's intellectual focus on equity, social justice and social empowerment in its teaching and research.

The School has a broad range of pure and applied research interests such as specific population groups (including women, the young, migrants and Aboriginal Australians); theories of social work practice; comparative studies of welfare policy and practice in a range of sociocultural settings (including Europe and Asia); the history and theory of the welfare state; a range of social welfare issues and social policy areas.

Staff maintain a broad range of community involvements, including sitting on local, state and national advisory boards, serving on community welfare organisations' boards, and providing advice to a range of welfare agencies.

Master of Social Work Program

The Master of Social Work requires one year (2 semesters) of full-time study (or 2 years (4 semesters) of part-time study).

Students are required to choose 8 subjects in total, including the 2 core units

• SCWK 6943 - Practice: Theory Development
• SCWK 6902 - Social Research

and 6 elective units of study from the elective units listed below.

Graduate Diploma in Social Work

Students who are not eligible for entry into the Master of Social Work program, or who may wish to undertake a shorter period of study, may be able to enrol in the Graduate Diploma program.

Students are required to choose 6 subjects in total, including the 2 core units

• SCWK 6943 - Practice: Theory Development
• SCWK 6902 - Social Research

and 4 elective units of study from the elective units listed below.

Graduate Certificate in Social Work

Students may also enrol in the Graduate Certificate program, in which they are required to choose 4 subjects in total, including the 2 core units:

• SCWK 6943 - Practice: Theory Development
• SCWK 6902 - Social Research

and 2 elective units of study from the elective units listed below.

Elective Units of Study
The following elective units of study are available in the School of Social Work and policy studies.

• SCWK 6927 - Professional Practice Supervision
• SCWK 6908 - Authorised Independent Study and Report
• SCWK 6917 - Practice Development
• SCWK 6948 - Social Policy Frameworks
• SCWK 6949 - Global Social Policy
• SCWK 6922 - Gender and Social Policy
• SCWK 6914 - Group Work
• SCWK 6910 - Community Work: Policy and Practice
• SCWK 5901 - Australian Responses to Domestic Violence
• SCWK 6918 - Debates in Human Services Management.
• SCWK 6944 - Death, Dying and Mourning
• SCWK 6945 - Palliative Care: Policies and Practice
• SCWK 6942 - Dying: Ethics, Policy and Politics
• New UoS - National Practice Standards in Mental Health

If you have a question about this degree program, please ask it via our feedback form or contact Dr Susan Goodwin.

Teaching staff in this program include:

• Professor Barbera Fawcett
• Dr Susan Goodwin
• Associate Professor Jude Irwin
• Dr Lesley Liang
• Ms Densie Lynch
• Dr Lindsey Napier
• Ms Agi O'Hara
• Dr Ruth Phillips
• Dr Fran Waugh
• Dr Zita Weber
• Dr Margot Rawsthorne

The Master of Social Work, combined with a record of excellence, equips graduates to proceed into higher research degrees. A number of pathways into higher research are available within the Faculty through Masters and Doctoral studies.

To apply for the Master of Social Work, you should possess a Bachelor of Social Work degree recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers plus at least one year's full-time social work practice.

In the case of international students, applicants not intending to practice in Australia and with the recognised equivalent of a four year Bachelor of Social Work award.

Local Students

Local 2008 fees are AUD$1,470 per unit of study.

Assistance with local fee payments may be available via the Australian Government. Please visit the website http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/ for more information.

International Students

International 2008 fees for the Masters program are AUD$19,440 p.a. (for a year of full time study - 48 credit points or equivalent). Fees are reduced proportionally for students undertaking the Gradate Diploma or Graduate Certificate.
Comprehensive information about international fees is available from the International Office.

Additional information for International applications is also available from this website.

The University’s tuition fees are reviewed annually and may be varied during the period of study. The exact tuition fee for your course may depend on the specific units of study in which you enrol.