Master of Social Work
Course summary for current students
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G = Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
S = Geelong Waterfront Campus
W =Warrnambool Campus
X = Off campus
| Award granted | Master of Social Work |
|---|---|
| Campus | Off campus |
| Duration | 2 years of full-time study or 4 years part-time study |
| Deakin course code | H703 |
Course sub-headings
Course overview
The two year Master of Social Work course is designed to provide a graduate level entry to educate students for critical, competent and effective professional social work practice both within the local social and community services industry and the broader national and international context. The course aims to produce graduates who are able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how the broad and immediate political and welfare policy context in which they work influences their specific day-to-day practice;
- Convey a knowledge and understanding of a range of social research methods, the place of social research in social work and the ability to design and conduct research directly relevant to the practice of social work;
- Apply, understand and accept the broad inter-disciplinary nature of social work and develop the ability to demonstrate this understanding and work in a range of settings;
- Understand a generic approach to social work and be able to work at a range of levels (policy, research, administration) using a range of skills (research, communication, interpersonal, political, community development);
- Demonstrate knowledge of basic social work theories, anti-oppressive theories and empowerment perspectives and skills in field placement practice;
- Demonstrate a commitment to principles of non-discrimination, human rights and social justice;
- Demonstrate a commitment to maintaining and improving personal and professional standards of practice.
Professional recognition
This course has provisional professional accreditation by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Department of Human Services policy
In accordance with Department of Human Services policy*, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to clinical placements in each calendar year of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement.
Students may also be required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience.
* Department of Human Services Policy on Working with Children Check and Police Records Checks can be found at: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/facs/bdb/fmu/service-agreement/5.departmental-policies-and-procedures/5.6-police-records-check-policy
Fees and charges
Unit fees can be viewed within individual unit descriptions. You can search for a unit using the Unit Search.
Please be aware:
- Fees are calculated on a per unit basis
- Fees charged will depend on the individual units chosen
- Fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and services
Course rules
The Master of Social Work comprises 16 credit points of study, including 13 credit points of core units and 3 credit points of elective units. The elective units must be selected from the lists below.
Failure of a field education placement in the Master of Social Work will normally lead to exclusion.
Course structure
Level 1
Trimester 1
| HSW701 | Australian Social Work in an International Context (X) |
| HSW703 | Becoming a Social Worker (X) |
| HSW705 | Challenging Poverty and Social Exclusion (X) |
Plus one elective unit (refer to Elective Unit Information below)
Trimester 2
| HSW702 | Understanding Care and Risk (X) |
| HSW714 | Professional Practice in Social Work A (X) (3 credit points) |
Level 2
Trimester 1
| HSW707 | Addressing Violence and Abuse (X) |
| ASD704 | Community Development Theory and Practice A (X) |
Plus two elective units (refer to Elective Unit Information below)
Trimester 2
| HSW704 | Reconstructing Professional Practice (X) |
| HSW715 | Professional Practice in Social Work B (X) (3 credit points) |
Elective units
Students must select one elective unit from each of the three lists below.
In selecting electives, students have the option of taking a stream of units in public policy, public health or international development. Alternatively, students can select electives from more than one stream if desired.
Select one of:
| AID734 | Approaches to Political Development (X) (International Development stream) |
| AIP740 | Public Policy Analysis (X) (Public Policy stream) |
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies (B, X) (Public Health stream) |
and
Select one of:
| ASD711 | Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning (X) (International Development stream) |
| AIP747 | Policy and Program Evaluation (X) (Public Policy stream) |
| HSH725 | Research for Health Practice (B, X) (Public Health stream) |
and
Select one of:
| AID711 | Non-government Organisations and Development (X) (International Development stream) |
| AIP748 | Intergovernmental Relations (X) (Public Policy stream) |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights (B, X) (Public Health stream) |
| HBS745 | Interprofessional Collaboration in Health Care (ONLINE) (no stream) |
| HMF701 | Agricultural Health and Medicine (X) (no stream) |
Income support
Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.
Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.
