Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)

What is this course about?

CSU's Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) is a postgraduate social work program studied by distance education that will lead to professional accreditation with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

The Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) aims to produce graduates who are committed to advancing social justice and human rights. This course has both Commonwealth supported and fee paying places.

Upon completion of the course, graduates will be able to:

• critically assess key aspects of Australian society, including its history and its social, political and economic arrangements, as they relate to the profession of social work
• analyse behaviours of individual groups, communities and organisations
• demonstrate competence in the theories and practice of social work engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation with individuals, groups, communities and organisations and social policy analysis
• employ professional methods of intervention and practice skills in a variety of human service and social work settings
• demonstrate an understanding of the contexts of social work practice at local, national and international levels
• exercise skills of critical thinking, reflection and judgement
• recognise, think through and reflect upon ethical issues arising in practice including the AASW Code of Ethics
• articulate the principles of social justice, human rights and non-oppressive practice that inform professional social work and apply these in practice
• demonstrate commitment to personal and professional self-development.

Residential school

This course includes four one week residential schools.

The residential schools will involve the students in interactive experiential learning of basic skills in a safe environment. They will provide specific lectures and opportunities for discussion and clarification of key concepts and processes. There will be individual and group activities to ensure that students have a clear understanding of the assessment process in preparation for their first practicum.

Professional recognition

This course received five-year accreditation in 2011 from the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Access to allowances for study

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) now offers student income support to students undertaking study in a number of professionally-oriented Master by coursework degrees.

Eligible students undertaking approved Master degrees will be able to access Youth Allowance, AUSTUDY, ABSTUDY or Pensioner Education Supplement. To be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and AUSTUDY, students will still need to be studying full-time and to satisfy all other Youth Allowance and AUSTUDY program requirements, including personal, parental or partner income tests.  Students who have queries about masters courses and their income support entitlements should contact Centrelink on 13 2490 for further information.

More information from DEEWR

Workplace learning

Refer to the workplace learning information for further requirements associated with studying this course.

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