Master of Social Work
Course summary for local 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.'
Student Information Centre
Tel 1300 334 733
enquire@deakin.edu.au
G = Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
S = Geelong Waterfront Campus
W =Warrnambool Campus
X = Off campus
| Award granted | Master of Social Work |
|---|---|
| Campus | This course is only offered off campus |
| Length | 2 years of full-time study or 4 years part-time study |
| Next available intake | March (Trimester 1) |
| Indicative annual fee 2013 | $6,070* - Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS) $17,120* - Full-fee paying place |
| Faculty contacts | Health - Student and Academic Services |
| Level | Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates) |
| Deakin course code | H703 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Professional recognition
- Fees and charges
- Career opportunities
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Entry requirements - general
- Entry requirements - specific
- Credit for prior learning - general
- How to apply
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 knowledge and 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 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 provisionally accredited the Master of Social Work until the first cohort of students graduate, at which time full accreditation will be sought. The AASW has also singled out Deakin for our ‘critically reflective practice’, setting us apart from other social work programs in Australia.
Fees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Domestic students enrolled in this course may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the university receives some government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study.
* The "indicative annual course fee" cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2013, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2013 can be viewed from the Unit Search.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.
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 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
Entry requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide.
Entry requirements - specific
Applicants must have a recognised university qualification with at least two units in a study of the human behaviour and two units in the study of society. Preference may be given to applicants with relevant work experience. Selection criteria will also be based on undergraduate academic results.
Credit for prior learning - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University.
You can also refer to the Credit for Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
How to apply
Applications must be made directly to the University through the Applicant Portal. Details of available courses and application closing dates can be found on the Apply webpage. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Your course may require further information in support of your application. Please refer to the faculty information website for further details.
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.
