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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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

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

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.

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1