Master of Advanced Social Work (MC-ASW)

You’re currently viewing the 2022 version of this course

Overview

Award title	Master of Advanced Social Work
Year & campus	2022 — Parkville
Fees information	Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date
Study level & type	Graduate Coursework
AQF level	9
Credit points	100 credit points
Duration	24 months part-time

The Master of Advanced Social Work is designed to graduate experts and leaders in the professional social work field. The subjects in this course adopt an interdisciplinary, international and evidence-based approach to respond to the complex and growing challenges faced by social workers working in a range of health, mental health and human services fields.

Subjects are taught by leading academics in the fields of evidence-based research, health, mental health, child and family welfare, ageing, social policy, program evaluation and leadership. Students from around the globe will be provided with opportunities to work together to address the increasing challenges and opportunities in the health and human services fields with a key focus on linking social work to practice. Students complete a compulsory practice-based research subject as well as a capstone research project that will enable them to develop and apply their research skills in their particular area of interest.

The course requires completion of 100 credit points of study. The course is provided entirely online providing flexibility to design study times around other commitments and study preferences.

This course is designed to be available to professional social workers at different stages in their careers, including recent graduates, established practitioners and those seeking to move in new directions.

Links to further information

https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/master-of-advanced-social-work/

Entry requirements

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

an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification (typically a BSW or MSW), which provides eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (or equivalent); and
at least two years of documented, relevant work experience; and
a personal statement outlining why they wish to be considered for the course; and
nomination 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
the personal statement;
the referee report.

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 graduate 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)

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: https://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity

Intended learning outcomes

This course prepares qualified social workers for leadership and specialist roles in the health, mental health and human services sector.
The course:

provides graduates with the theoretical and advanced skill base for working with individuals, families, communities and organisations;
prepares graduates for leadership roles in their field of social work practice;
engages students in critical reflection of their own practice development; and
engages students in practice research and writing for publication.

Generic skills

Graduates of the course can expect to have:

advanced analytic skills
skills in working collaboratively with individuals, groups and organisations
increased capacity to manage unfamiliar problems
improved written communication skills
increased ability to work independently and be self-motivated

Graduate attributes

Graduates of the course will have the following attributes. They should:

be practically grounded and socially responsible
be distinguished by their broad outlook and openness to different perspectives
have well-developed research and reasoning skills that equip them to be influential citizens with high leadership potential
have the ability to engage with national and global issues
show awareness of the social and cultural diversity in communities and be able to work collaboratively with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds
demonstrate high levels of self-awareness and value their personal integrity and well-being
have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline and skills in examining issues with multiple disciplinary perspectives
be critical, creative thinkers with strong reasoning skills
apply knowledge, information and research skills to complex problems in a range of contexts
be effective oral and written communicators
be entrepreneurial and innovative thought-leaders
bring research and inquiry skills to challenges in their workplaces and communities
be lifelong learners who generate bold and novel ideas by critically evaluating alternative possibilities and viewpoints
have high regard for human rights, social inclusion, ethics and the environment
have an understanding of and deep respect for Indigenous knowledge, culture and values

Course structure

The Master of Advanced Social Work is comprised of seven subjects, two core subjects and five elective subjects.

Subject options

Compulsory Subjects

The subjects below are compulsory to the course.

Practice Based Research is a pre-requisite for Social Work Research Project.

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
HLTH90002	Practice Based Research	Term 1 (Online)	12.5
SCWK90071	Social Work Research Project	April (Online)	25

Electives

Students then select any five elective subjects from the following (all 12.5 credit points):

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
SCWK90027	Advanced Trauma Perspectives	Term 3 (Online)	12.5
SCWK90067	Implementation Science in Theory	Not available in 2022	12.5
SCWK90068	Implementation Science in Practice	Not available in 2022	12.5
POPH90267	Ageing Health & Human Services	Term 1 (Online)	12.5
HLTH90003	Psychosocial Oncology	Term 4 (Online)	12.5
HLTH90007	Domestic and Family Violence	Term 2 (Online)	12.5
HLTH90008	International Child and Family Welfare	Not available in 2022	12.5
HLTH90009	Suicide Prevention	Not available in 2022	12.5
HLTH90010	Service Navigation Theory	Not available in 2022	12.5
HLTH90018	Disability in Context	Term 4 (Online)	12.5

Further study

Graduates may progress to a range of other graduate coursework programs, as well as research higher degree programs including the Doctor of Philosophy.

Last updated: 4 January 2023

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