Master of Social Work

Study Method Blended
Provider University of Canberra
Recognition AASW
Start Date Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Oct
University of Canberra
  • FEE-HELP is available for this course
  • This course is available to Australian citizens and permanent residents only

Course overview

The online Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is a professionally and globally recognised degree governed by the AASW and is designed for those wanting to move into social work practice and become a professional social worker.

This accessible, flexible and accelerated course provides students with the specialised knowledge, skills and experience to meet the complex and evolving needs of people, communities and the environments in which they live.

By learning through case scenarios, simulated settings and in-person intensive components, you will be able to immediately apply your learnings from the online Master of Social Work (Qualifying) to practice across a diverse range of fields and community settings.

Job outcomes

  • Social worker
  • Case manager
  • Family support worker
  • Community worker
  • Engagement officer
  • Policy advisor
  • Youth worker

Want to see more job outcomes and how your future could change?

Recognitions

AASW

Provisionally accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

Study method

  • Blended
    Blended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
  • In-class
    In class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
  • Online
    Online delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
  • Virtual
    Virtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online

Duration study load

  • 32-36 months part-time

Delivery

  • 100% online

Entry requirements

To be eligible for the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), applicants must have:

  • An Australian bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or higher-level qualification in a related field from a recognised tertiary institution
  • Completed at least one year of full-time study, or equivalent, at a minimum of AQF Level 7 in social sciences and human behaviour.

Examples of related areas of study include:

  • Psychology, research, and policy studies
  • Allied health, including midwifery, occupational therapy, nursing, audiology, health promotion, physiotherapy, and pharmacy
  • Counselling and therapeutic studies including play therapy, rehabilitation, drug and alcohol work, counselling, art therapy, music therapy, and disability and inclusion
  • Clinical areas such as child development, medicine, emergency services, and working with older people
  • Education and teaching
  • Indigenous studies, culture and human diversity, media, gender studies, social theory and population studies
  • Human resource management and marketing studies, including diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, leadership and coaching, managing people and change management, negotiation, regulations and ethics.
  • Community services, human services, social welfare and youth work

English language:

  • There are non-standard English language requirements for this course.
  • To be eligible you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0.

This course is available to Australian citizens and permanent residents only.

Find out more about the entry requirements for this course

Course features

  • Developed to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) governed by the Australian Association of Social Work (AASW)
  • Professional and globally recognised Master of Social Work degree so you can work within Australia or internationally
  • Learn from social work practitioners who are actively involved in the industry
  • Immediately apply your learnings into practice through field education placements
  • Experience dedicated support at every stage
  • Start anytime and study social work online – intakes are open every 2 months

Work placement

Field education placements are pivotal, providing real-world application of theoretical knowledge, essential for well-rounded professional growth.

Total Duration

  • 1000 supervised hours including 28 hours of integrative seminars (14 hours in each field education unit)
  • Two distinct fields, two different organisations

Structure

  • Field Education 1 (500 hours)
  • Field Education 2 (500 hours)
  • Each Field Education Unit completed over three consecutive study blocks

Working Hours

  • Full-time, 3-4 days/week (usually Monday to Friday)
  • No leave arrangements

Recognition of prior learning

Applicants who have completed a three-year Bachelor of Social Welfare or Bachelor of Community Services and have a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience may be eligible to receive credit for up to 25% of the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), which is the equivalent of four units. Recognition of Prior Learning applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the course convener.

Why study the online Master of Social Work at UC?

  • Future-focused skills relevant to practice: Develop the practical social work skills needed to work across a diverse range of fields, community settings and graduate practice ready.
  • Immersive and experiential practice: Through a proactive approach to learning, students will undertake 1000 hours of placement to implement hands-on skills in diverse settings to become qualified and confident social workers.
  • Exceptional support with personalised guidance: Receive expert career advice, have access to UC Student Wellbeing, InclusionUC, a dedicated Student Success Adviser and a vibrant learning community of students and academics.

Subjects

The online Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is structured into 12 units, spread over a minimum of 16 study blocks.

Units
Social Work in Global, Regional and Local Contexts
Theoretical Approaches to Social Work Practice
Field Education Placement 1

Want more information about the subjects for this course?

Payment options

Fee Assistance

  • Some students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may be eligible to apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP official page loan scheme.

Find out more about the payment options for this course

About University of Canberra

The University of Canberra (UC) is a hub of learning, practical courses and innovative research. It is a place where ideas are born, creativity is explored and opportunity is created.

UC is a university for the professions, dedicated to providing immersive student experiences focused on employability outcomes.

UC is one of the world’s leading universities for reducing inequalities (UC is ranked in the top five universities globally for reducing inequalities – THE Impact Rankings, 2023) and have been ranked number one in Canberra for full-time employment and starting salaries (Good Universities Guide 2023).

This success is in part due to our two-pronged focus, encompassing progressive, expert teaching alongside strong ties to industry. This means that students enjoy real-world work experience and get a taste of their future careers, even before graduation.

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