Specialist Certificate in Advanced Social Work (SC-ASW)
Specialist CertificateYear: 2025 Delivered: Online
About this course
Contact
Email: continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149
Contact hours: https://unimelb.edu.au/professional-development/contact-us
Coordinator
Lauren Kosta
Overview
| Award title | Specialist Certificate in Advanced Social Work |
|---|---|
| Year & campus | 2025 — Parkville |
| Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
| Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
| AQF level | Non-AQF |
| Credit points | 25 credit points |
| Duration | 6 months part-time |
The Specialist Certificate 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, mental health and human services fields with a key focus on linking social work to practice.
The course requires completion of a total of 25 credit points of study. The course is provided entirely on-line 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.
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 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
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 Specialist Certificate in Advanced Social Work is comprised of two 12.5 credit point subjects at AQF Level 9.
Subject options
Students select any two of the following subjects:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCWK90027 | Advanced Trauma Perspectives | Term 3 (Online) |
12.5 |
| SCWK90067 | Implementation Science in Theory | Term 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
| SCWK90068 | Implementation Science in Practice | Term 4 (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90267 | Ageing Health & Human Services | Term 3 (Online) |
12.5 |
| HLTH90003 | Psychosocial Oncology | Term 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
| HLTH90007 | Domestic and Family Violence | Term 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
| HLTH90008 | Complex Child and Family Welfare | Term 4 (Online) |
12.5 |
| HLTH90009 | Suicide Prevention | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
| HLTH90010 | Service Navigation Theory | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
| HLTH90018 | Disability in Context | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
Further study
Graduates may progress to a range of other graduate coursework programs, including the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Social Work or the Master of Advanced Social Work.
Last updated: 27 February 2025