Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 2 locations

Duration
2 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Fees (first year)*

$9312 CSP

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning January 2025
Applications open August 2024
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not available

Overview

The Master of Social Work is a vibrant and challenging program. You will be encouraged to build on your existing knowledge and experience, gaining a sound understanding of social work values and practice approaches. The course emphasises social justice, human rights, and achieving the best possible outcomes for the most marginalised and disadvantaged members of our community. You will be taught by leading social work practitioners and academics, with a strong focus on experiential learning.

The program is offered face-to-face and online.

You can study face-to-face at our Canberra and Sydney (Strathfield) campuses with a February intake. Or you can study online via ACUOnline with two compulsory one-week intensives each year of the program in either Brisbane or Melbourne. 

Field education is a core element of the face-to-face and online program, and a major part of a student’s professional identity development. It provides an opportunity to observe, question and model social work behaviours, translate social work theory into practice, and apply knowledge drawn from other units of study. The course includes a total of 1,000 hours of supervised field education and training and ACU will match you to your placements based on where you are geographically located.

Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the Courses costs section below, under Fees.

Professional experience

You will be required to complete 1,000 hours of supervised field education and training over two years.


Work placement

ACU has strong industry ties with hospitals for placements and significant stakeholder engagement with many health partners.

Students are placed in a variety of different locations to give them experience in various settings. Locations and settings include: community mental health; CatholicCare; Life Without Barriers; Mission Australia; St Vincent’s Hospital; Department of Family and Community Services; Queensland Child Safety; Centrelink. Students may have some flexibility in choosing where you want to do your placements.

Field education is a core element of the program and a major part of your professional identity development. It provides an opportunity for you to observe, question and model social work behaviours, translate social work theory into practice, and apply knowledge drawn from other units of study.

Accreditation

This is an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) accredited qualification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and meets the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

Careers

Social workers may also work in different areas of practice, including:

  • family work
  • youth and child welfare services
  • medical and health services
  • disability services
  • psychiatric and general mental health
  • community services
  • aged care
  • income support
  • mediation
  • research 


Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing ACU Term 1

  • Specified UnitsSWTP620Social Work Theories, Context and Fields of Practice

    Campus attendance mode

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsSWTP633Social Work, Mental Health and Wellbeing

    Multimode

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsSWTP622Social Work with Individuals

    Campus attendance mode

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsSWTP634Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Social Work

    Campus attendance mode

    10 cp
  • Professional Experience UnitsSWTP625Field Practicum 1

    (Pre: SWTP620, SWTP622, SWTP633, SWTP634)

    This 30cp unit is completed over duration of two ACU Terms.

    30 cp
  • Specified UnitsSWTP624Social Work with Children, Youth and Family

    This unit is only offered via ACU Online Term 3

    (Multi-mode)

    10 cp
  • Professional Experience UnitsSWTP625Field Practicum 1

    CONTINUED

    This 30cp unit is completed over duration of two ACU Terms.

    30 cp

All units are delivered in campus attendance mode, unless otherwise indicated in the map.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in this unit.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Masters (Coursework) - AQF Level 9

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

All students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, applicants must have:

a.    Completed a Bachelor degree equivalent to an Australian Bachelor Degree in a related field which includes at least one year full-time study in the social and behavioural sciences.

These studies may include psychology, sociology, anthropology, policy studies, history, law, health and disability, nursing, disability studies, philosophy, Indigenous studies, culture and human diversity, media study, gender studies, social theory and population studies.

AND

b.    The undergraduate degree must include study in human behaviour AND in sociology.

StatePrerequisites
ACT

Domestic - as above

International applicants - as above AND GPA of 5.0 on the ACU 7-point scale

NSW

As above

QLD

As above

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.

English language requirements

Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 7.0 (with a minimum score of 7.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy (see English Language Proficiency).

Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Further study

Graduates may be eligible to progress to higher degree research programs within ACU.


Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$9312 CSP

Additional costs

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support. 

Explore your options 

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.

Search our scholarships

How to apply

Domestic applicants

Direct application

Apply now

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment.

 

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