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

Students in the Master degree may be eligible for student income support from the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE).

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.

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.

Workplace learning

Students are required to complete a total of 140 days (980 hours) of field education under the supervision of a qualified social worker. The 140 days are divided into two subjects, with flexible arrangements of placement days in each. Learning objectives are based on the formulation of a detailed learning plan which is individually negotiated by the student, supervisor and CSU staff. There are a minimum of three liaison contacts with CSU staff including one on-site visit from a CSU staff person or their representative.

Admission requirements

Students with a completed undergraduate degree will be eligible to apply for the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying).

Applicants without any social science background will have to complete specified foundation subjects in psychology, sociology, politics/policy and research methods. This may be done as part of the Graduate Certificate in Human Services.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1