Master of Social Work

2016 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Professional recognition
• Course rules
• Course structure

Course overview

Study a progressive social work course with a strong emphasis on practical experience gained through practical placements.

Social work is concerned with enhancing the wellbeing of people in their social environments. Our Master of Social Work focuses on social and community development; race and gender issues; critical social work perspectives; equity, power and diversity issues; and anti-oppressive and empowerment approaches to social work practice and social policy.

This course is accredited by Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), allowing you to enter the social work profession. The AASW recognises Deakin’s social work program’s commitment to ‘critically reflective practice’, which sets it apart from other social work programs in Australia. It also meets the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

Fieldwork provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable skills and practical experience under the supervision of qualified social work practitioners. You will complete a minimum of 1000 hours of fieldwork placements conducted in a variety of communities and workplaces.

As a Deakin social work graduate, you will be eligible to apply for membership of the AASW and seek employment throughout Australia. The Master of Social Work creates a new pathway for entry into the profession and prepares graduates for a more advanced level of practice.

Professional recognition

The professionally qualifying Master of Social Work creates a new pathway for entry into the profession and prepares graduates for a more advanced level of practice. The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) has fully accredited the Master of Social Work. The AASW has also singled out Deakin for our ‘critically reflective practice’, setting us apart from other social work programs in Australia.

Note: All information regarding professional recognition is accurate at the date of publication. Enquiries regarding accreditation and professional membership should be directed to the School of Health and Social Development in order to ascertain the current status of accreditation at any future point in time beyond publication. Representations about accreditation apply only to the course, and the AASW retains discretion as to who they admit as members of their association. Deakin University cannot exercise any control over membership of an external body.

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/4.departmental-policies-procedures-and-initiatives/4.6-safety-screening-referee-checks-police-record-check-and-working-with-children-check

Course rules

To complete the Master of Social Work students must attain 16 credit points, including 15 credit points of core units and 1 credit point of research and evaluation elective unit.

Failure of a field education placement in the Master of Social Work will normally lead to exclusion.

Inherent requirements

Students should also be aware of the inherent requirements of the course.

Course structure

Core units

Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2015 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2015 should refer to previous online Handbooks or consult your course enrolment officer.

Level 1 - Trimester 1

Plus one elective unit (refer to Elective Unit Information below)

Level 1 - Trimester 2

Level 2 - Trimester 1

Level 2 - Trimester 2

Course structure

Elective units

Students must select one elective unit from:

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.