Master of Social Policy (706AA)

Masters (Coursework)Year: 2025 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Award titleMaster of Social Policy
Year & campus2025 — Parkville
CRICOS code049598E
Fees informationSubject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date
Study level & typeGraduate Coursework
AQF level 9
Credit points200 credit points
Duration24 months full-time or 48 months part-time

The Master of Social Policy offers a curriculum that reflects cutting-edge theory in a number of professional development fields. Graduates will be equipped with the skills necessary for advanced community sector management and policy making, including the skills to:

  • Analyse key areas of contemporary social policy such as governance, inclusion/exclusion, social capital, globalisation 
  • Engage with the social dimensions of social policy such as race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, age 
  • Understand social policy as a contested process and apply research skills to a range of organisational contexts
  • Draw on a range of disciplines and take a comparative and global focus.

 

Links to further information

http://arts.unimelb.edu.au/ssps

Entry requirements

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

  • an undergraduate degree in any discipline with at least an H2B (70%) weighted average, or equivalent.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

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

  • prior academic performance; and
  • relevance of previous studies.

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. The minimum English language requirements for this course are Band 6.5.

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 50 points of credit:

  • an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with at least an H2B (70%) weighted average, or equivalent.


Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 100 points of credit:

  • an honours degree in a cognate discipline with at least an H2B (70%) weighted average, or equivalent; or
  • an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with at least an H2B (70%) weighted average, or equivalent, and at least two years of documented, relevant work experience.


Applicants seeking credit must provide the following documentation in support of their application for the recognition of prior professional experience:
• brief curriculum vitae, detailing work experience;
• contact details of two referees;
• a covering letter outlining the applicants professional background and how this prepares them to successfully undertake the program.

In some cases, an interview and/or two reference letters from employers/managers detailing the period of employment and areas of responsibility, and/or evidence of written work or reports undertaken during the period of employment may be requested.

 

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005) and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF127). For the purposes of considering requests for reasonable adjustments, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the overview, attributes, outcomes and skills of this entry. Further details about how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

 

Intended learning outcomes

Students who complete the Master of Social Policy should:



  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the foundations of social policy, current debates around social issues in Australia and globally, and contemporary theoretical approaches for analysing social policy;
  • Be able to critically analyse social policy frameworks and consider alternative policy solutions with a focus on social justice and equity;
  • Demonstrate a solid understanding of social research methods and how to design research projects and evaluations;
  • Be able to write for a range of audiences and have a solid grasp of both academic formats (eg. essays) and non-academic formats (e.g. policy briefs, reports);
  • Demonstrate group work skills and cultural sensitivity through small group discussions.

Generic skills

On completion of this course, students should have:

  • leadership and communication skills;
  • the ability to perform high-level critical analysis and creative thinking;
  • the ability to undertake project management;
  • team work and professional networking skills; and
  • enhanced research, writing and communication skills.

Graduate attributes

Master of Social Policy graduates will have a comprehensive understanding of the key areas, actors, ideas, actors, institutions and contemporary challenges in social policy through a core program and the opportunity for further specialisation in particular fields of study through a rich selection of electives as well as unique capstone experiences. Graduates will have acquired the following:

Academic distinction

  • in-depth knowledge of their specialist disciplines and skills in examining issues with multiple disciplinary perspectives around issues of social policy;
  • ability to be critical, creative thinkers with strong reasoning skills;
  • ability to apply knowledge, information and research skills to complex problems in a range of policy contexts and are effective oral and written communicators;
  • enhanced research and analytical and problem-solving skills;
  • ability to critically evaluating alternative possibilities and viewpoints.

Active citizenship

  • ability to engage with contemporary local, national and global issues around social policy within Australia and internationally;
  • in-depth understanding of human rights, social inclusion, ethics and the environment;
  • awareness of the social and cultural diversity in communities and how to work collaboratively with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. In particular, MSP students will have an understanding of and deep respect for Indigenous knowledge, culture and values;
  • the capacity to become leaders in their professions and communities, with the capacity to work effectively across disciplines and cultures.

Integrity and self-awareness

  • capacity to be self-directed and well-organised, with the ability to set goals and manage time and priorities.
  • ability to work effectively both independently and in groups, and place great importance on their personal and professional integrity.
  • ability to be confident of their knowledge, yet flexible, adaptable and aware of their limitations.
  • willingness to explore, experiment and learn from mistakes as well as have empathy and concern for the welfare of others while managing their own well-being.

Course structure

Students are required to complete the program requirements/structure from the year that they commenced their program.  All compulsory, core and capstone subjects must be completed to be eligible to graduate from the program.

200 point program

Duration: 2 years full-time / up to 4 years part-time

 

Coursework Only Option

  • Four compulsory subjects (50 points)
  • elective subjects (125 points)
  • capstone subjects (25 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option

  • Four compulsory subjects (50 points)
  • POLS40013 Social Science Research Seminar (12.5 points)
  • minor thesis parts 1 and 2 (37.5 points total)
  • elective subjects (100 points)

 

 

150 point program

Duration: 1.5 years full-time / up to 3 years part-time

 

Coursework Only Option

  • four compulsory subjects (50 points)
  • elective subjects (75 points)
  • capstone subjects (25 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option

  • four compulsory subjects (50 points)
  • POLS40013 Social Science Research Seminar (12.5 points)
  • minor thesis parts 1 and 2 (37.5 points total)
  • elective subjects (50 points)

 

 

100 point program

Duration: 1 year full-time / up to 2 years part-time

 

Coursework Only Option:

  • four compulsory subjects (50 points)
  • elective subjects (25 points)
  • capstone subjects (25 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option:

  • four compulsory subjects (50 points)
  • POLS40013 Social Science Research Seminar (12.5 points)
  • minor thesis parts 1 and 2 (37.5 points total)

 

 

Capstone Requirements:

Capstone subject options must be completed in the final hundred points of the program.  All students are required to complete one Capstone subject option (at least 25 points).  This requirement cannot be waived or replaced in any circumstances:

Capstone Stream 1: PPMN90049 Public/Social Policy Thesis Part 1 and PPMN90050 Public/Social Policy Thesis Part 2 (37.5 points total)

Purpose: An opportunity to integrate knowledge and research skills to address a research question; pathway to the PhD.

Capstone Stream 2: SOCI90013 Social Policy Internship (25 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in social policy practice to solve problems that arise in professional contexts and develop an integrated understanding of research and practice.

Capstone Stream 3: SOCI90023 Project-based Policy Analysis (25 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to work in a team-based project where knowledge and skills are applied to a practical project under the supervision of an academic and practitioner expert.

 

External Subject Rule

Student may undertake an external subject (not listed within the program structure) with the permission of the program and subject coordinator.  All external subject requests must be for the elective subject requirement, not as a compulsory, core or capstone subject. The maximum external subjects allowed are as follows:

 

  • 200 point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (2 years): maximum 25 points.
  • 150 point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (1.5 years): maximum 12.5 points.
  • 100* point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (1 year): 12.5 points
  • 50*^ point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (0.5 years): 0 points.

 

* GC-ARTS, GD-ARTS, GCA-ARTS and GDA-ARTS students are not normally granted permission to undertake external subjects towards their degree.

 

^ Exception: Students admitted to 50 point programs may apply to take LING90002 Presenting Academic Discourse, as an external subject

 

Please note that advanced standing contributes to a student’s remaining points undertaken at University of Melbourne, and may affect how many points the student can undertake outside the enrolled program.

 

For policies that govern this degree, see the Courses, Subjects, Awards and Programs Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Library. Students also should also refer to information in the Enrolment and Timetabling Policy.

Majors, minors & specialisations

Name Credit Points
200pt Program 200
150pt Program 150
100pt Program 100

Further study

Graduates may progress to a range of other graduate coursework programs. Students who complete the minor thesis may be eligible to apply for the PhD.

Last updated: 16 April 2025