Master of Social Work (MC-SOCW)

Overview

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must:

• have completed an undergraduate degree with at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences or equivalent, with studies to have been completed within 10 years of commencing the Master of Social Work, or
• have completed an older undergraduate degree and more recent graduate study that demonstrates current capacity for graduate study, and
• provide a current curriculum vitae (CV), that details education, workplace experience and other relevant skills and training, and
• provide contact details of a professional referee

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• work experience and other training completed as detailed in the CV

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4.  Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7+ is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

Students must comply with Fitness to Practice Rules, which are accessible from Schedule 1 of the Student Fitness to Practice Policy (MPF1345).

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Course and Subject Descriptions, Course and Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Student Equity and Disability Support (SEDS) website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

It is a requirement of the course that students will be expected to interact in all aspects of learning with their peers and educators in classroom settings and clients (individuals, families, groups and communities) in practice settings.

All students in the Master of Social Work (MSW) course must possess the intellectual, ethical, social and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence at graduation required by the Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Department of Social Work (and as accredited in the curriculum by the Australian Association of Social Workers, AASW, and in accordance with the AASW Practice Standards).  Social Work education (and practice) is bound by the Australian Association of Social Workers Education Accreditation Standards defined by the AASW. It is recommended that students read and understand these Standards: (https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/3550) and their responsibilities as a student social worker as specified in the Code of Ethics (http://www.aasw.asn.au/practitioner-resources/related-documents).

A student with a disability may be asked to provide independent medical or other clinical assessments of the disability and its possible impact on the ability of the student to successfully complete the course, before being accepted into the course. This statement would be treated in confidence with only those on the admissions committee and SEDS having access to the document. Deliberate misinformation about the student’s ability to successfully complete the course will be regarded as unprofessional practice and treated as such.

While the Department of Social Work will make reasonable adjustments to minimise the impact of a disability, all students must be able to participate in the program in an independent manner. It is expected that all students will be able to participate fully in all classroom-based and online learning activities, and to successfully fulfil the field education requirements of the course.

A student enrolled in the MSW must have abilities and skills (observational and applied) to participate in the course in the following areas, consistent with the AASW Practice Standards:

Values and ethics: In all learning contexts, students must ‘uphold their ethical responsibilities’ and ‘act appropriately when faced with ethical problems, issues and dilemmas’ (AASW Practice Standards). The student must be able to demonstrate professional integrity and respect, in the context of culturally responsive and inclusive practice.

Communication: In all learning contexts, the student must be able to communicate effectively, sensitively and respectfully with others, in written and verbal forms. This includes being able to clearly communicate knowledge and the application and practices of the subject. 

Intellectual, conceptual, and integrative abilities: The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem-solving skills and demonstrate this ability in all learning contexts. These abilities include reasoning, analysis, reflection and synthesis.

Behavioural and social attributes: The student must possess the emotional and mental health required for full utilisation of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, and the timely completion of all required tasks and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with clients and colleagues.

The University of Melbourne welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University policy to take reasonable and proportionate measures to minimise the impact of a disability on academic study.

Professional accreditation

This is an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)-accredited qulaification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

Course structure

The Master of Social Work comprises 225 credit point, on-campus, coursework degree, with a field placement component.

Subject options

First Year

Second Year

The following subjects, plus an elective subject in semester 2.

Second Year Elective Subjects

Further study

Graduates may progress to a range of other graduate programs including the Master of Advanced Social Work (Research), Master of Philosophy or the Doctor of Philosophy.

Benefits

As a student of the Master of Social Work you will benefit from:

• a curriculum approved by the Australian Association of Social Workers;
• well-qualified, experienced, research-active and accessible teachers, with strong ties to the profession and community services;
• mixed teaching methods: lectures; tutorials; seminars; collaborative learning; practice simulations;
• a well-developed field education program, including several student units in key agencies in the health, aging, child and family, drug and alcohol and women's services;
• good coverage of particular fields of practice such as: mental health; child and family practice; health; aging; substance abuse;
• excellent student facilities and the backing of a well-resourced major university;
• the excellent employment record for our graduates in a wide range of fields and job descriptions;
• a diverse and talented population of students at entry-to-practice, advanced practice and research levels

Additional Costs:

All students undertaking a placement in a hospital, clinic or other health or community environment are required to satisfy a number of requirements, including:

• undergoing a recent National Police Record Check
• holding a valid Working with Children Check for the relevant state/territory, and
• being satisfactorily protected against infectious disease transmission.

Please refer to the Student Placements webpage for detailed information regarding compliance requirements.

Last updated: 9 March 2023