The Master of Social Work is a 72-unit program offered by the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.
Graduates of the Master of Social Work (Graduate Entry) are eligible to join the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Topics are taught online or face-to-face. Students in the Master of Social Work (Graduate Entry) are required to attend at least 20 days on campus throughout their full period of study for the Master of Social Work (Graduate Entry). At least one of these blocks of face-to-face study must be completed prior to the first placement. This course requirement applies to students who are enrolled and studying while living overseas as well as to those who live in Australia. The requirement to attend 20 days on campus can be achieved by attending those non-semester (NS) topics delivered via a combination of online preparation and one 5 day intensive. At least one NS intensive topic is offered each semester. Students who live in the Adelaide area can also achieve this requirement by enrolling in face-to-face topics taught on campus. Students on international visas must also meet face-to-face attendance requirements according to their visa provisions.
Admission requirements
There are two points of entry into the Master of Social Work:
- Applicants who have completed a bachelors degree other than in social work are eligible to apply for entry to the Master of Social Work (Graduate Entry) and if admitted they must complete the full 72 units of the course.
- Applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Social Work degree recognised by the Australian Association of Social Work (AASW) or a qualification deemed equivalent by the Dean (Education) are eligible to apply for entry to the Master of Social Work (Qualified Social Worker Entry). Such applicants may be granted up to 36 units of credit. Applicants for the MSW (Qualified) must have completed either (a) an AASW-accredited Bachelor of Social Work Honours or (b) an AASW-accredited Bachelor of Social Work plus at least 2 years professional work experience (paid or volunteer) or equivalent.
Course aims
This course aims to:
- provide students with the knowledge and skills to practice responsibly and reflectively as a professional social worker, in keeping with the standards set by the Australian Association of Social Workers
- involve students in researching, analysing and articulating a framework for inclusive and ethical professional social work practice
- inform students about, and enable them to critically reflect and comment on, relevant current social justice debates
- educate students about the colonial history of Australia and its long-term effects on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including analysis of current policies and social work practices affecting ATSI families and communities
- develop students’ knowledge about current evidence-based professional social work practice models and approaches
- enable students to carry out research, assess the value of research to social work practice, and articulate a framework for inclusive and ethical professional social work practice research
- enable students to develop their professional values, knowledge and skills and demonstrate their practice judgement and expertise, normally through involvement in two agency-based field placements
- help students identify the cultural context of various practice, approaches and their relevance to specific situations and populations
- delineate the connections between interpersonal practice, social policy and research at a national and international level
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of this course students will be able to:
- practice as a professional social worker in a knowledgeable, competent, reflective and responsible manner
- understand and assess the complex individual, family, societal and systemic factors that contribute to the ISSes experienced by social work clients
- articulate the theory, rationale and methods involved in various professional practice approaches and demonstrate the ability to utilise these approaches differentially
- identify, interpret and respond professionally to the major social justice issues facing Australian society and the international community
- show awareness of the historical, cultural and interpersonal contexts that affect how Aboriginal Australians approach social work services, and demonstrate ways of moving toward mutual trust and engagement
- conduct, analyse, interpret and contribute to the current research related to social issues, social policy and social work practice
- demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional learning as a critically reflective practitioner
Programs of study
