Master of Social Work
Course summary for international students
. ‘My long-term goal is to run my own private practice in counselling. ... My Deakin Master of Social Work is providing me with the qualifications needed to make my dream come true.'
G = Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
S = Geelong Waterfront Campus
W =Warrnambool Campus
X = Off campus
| Award granted | Master of Social Work |
|---|---|
| Level | Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates) |
| Deakin course code | H703 |
Course sub-headings
Course overview
The Master of Social Work has an emphasis on rural and regional communities; race and gender issues; equity, power and diversity issues; social and community development; and anti-oppressive and empowerment approaches to social work practice and social policy. As a student in this course, you will develop a body of knowledge and a broad range of skills 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 program has a strong emphasis on practical experience and skills gained through practicum placements.
You will develop knowledge and an integrated understanding of:
- how the broad and immediate political and welfare policy in which people work influences their specific day-to-day practice;
- a range of social research methods, and the ability to design and conduct research of the broad inter-disciplinary nature of social work
- approaches 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);
- basic social work theories, anti-oppressive theories and empowerment perspectives and skills in field placement 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.
Career opportunities
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. Graduates may find employment as a social worker, policy officer, researcher, community development worker, case manager, counsellor, human rights advocate, working with individuals, families, groups and communities in the health and human services sectors.
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 |
| HSW703 | Becoming a Social Worker |
| HSW705 | Challenging Poverty and Social Exclusion |
Plus one elective unit (refer to Elective Unit Information below)
Trimester 2
| HSW702 | Understanding Care and Risk |
| HSW714 | Professional Practice in Social Work A (3 credit points) |
Level 2
Trimester 1
| HSW707 | Addressing Violence and Abuse |
| ASD704 | Community Development Theory and Practice A |
Plus two elective units (refer to Elective Unit Information below)
Trimester 2
| HSW704 | Reconstructing Professional Practice |
| HSW715 | Professional Practice in Social Work B (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 (International Development stream) |
| AIP740 | Public Policy Analysis (Public Policy stream) |
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies (Public Health stream) |
and
Select one of:
| ASD711 | Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning (International Development stream) |
| AIP747 | Policy and Program Evaluation (Public Policy stream) |
| HSH725 | Research Literacy for Health Practice (Public Health stream) |
and
Select one of:
| AID711 | Non-government Organisations and Development (International Development stream) |
| AIP748 | Intergovernmental Relations (Public Policy stream) |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights (Public Health stream) |
| HBS745 | Interprofessional Collaboration in Health Care (no stream) |
| HMF701 | Agricultural Health and Medicine (no stream) |
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-police-record-check-policy-including-working-with-children-check
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.