Doctor of Social Work

What is this course about?

CSU's Doctor of Social Work course supports eligible students in advanced and critical reflection on professional social work practice, to meet the needs of social work professionals aspiring to the highest levels within their discipline.

About the course

The Doctor of Social Work is designed for professionals who wish to extend their levels of professional practice, explore theoretical and practice issues within the profession and to acquire advanced research skills.

In particular the program will:

• allow candidates to extend their knowledge of social work theory and the practice underpinning their profession through dedicated study and reflection
• enable candidates to successfully identify, investigate and resolve problems confronting the social work profession through the acquisition of skills in reflection, research and writing
• enable candidates to present findings of research in a dissertation
• encourage candidates to publish at least one paper in their area of expertise
• provide candidates with professional supervision to reflect on their own practice and to demonstrate a standard of excellence in their field

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.