CQUniversity
Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Prepare for professional social work practice through advanced study in social work theory, ethical practice, research and supervised field education, with eligibility to apply for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Course overview
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) prepares graduates for professional social work practice through advanced study in social work theory, ethical practice, research and supervised field education. The course integrates academic learning with practical experience to support work in complex social and community settings.
Throughout the course, you will develop knowledge across areas including social justice, diversity, ethical decision-making, psychosocial health and wellbeing, disability, trauma, mental health and social policy. You will also explore the impact of social and structural inequality while building research-informed practice skills and critical thinking. Field education placements form a key part of the program, allowing you to apply your learning in professional practice settings.
On successful completion, you will graduate with the Master of Social Work (Qualifying). Graduates are eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and may pursue professional roles across health, community and human services settings.
Key facts
What you will study
To earn the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), you must successfully complete units totalling 96 credit points as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.
Core units
- Understanding Social Work: Foundational Knowledge and Skills for Practice
- First Nations Knowledge and Social Work Practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- Psychosocial Health and Well-being Across the Lifespan
- Intersectionality and Social Justice in Social Work Practice
- Ethical and Legal Issues in Practice
- Social Work Field Education 1 (18 credit points)
- Working with Families, Groups and Communities
- Contemporary Social Policy and Social Work
- Family and Structural Violence
- Social Work Research for Practice
- Social Work Field Education 2 (18 credit points)
Entry requirements
Academic Entry Requirements:
- To be eligible for this course, applicants must have completed a relevant three-year AQF 7 or 8 level degree course that includes at least one year (equivalent to 8 units) of full-time social and behaviour sciences studies.
Examples of studies in behavioural science include: psychology, including psychology research and policy, counselling/therapeutic roles in areas such as play therapy, rehabilitation counselling, art therapy, disability, and inclusion, specialist clinical areas such as child development, drug and alcohol, working with ageing/disability populations, emergency services, education, family violence, and allied health areas such as nursing/midwifery, health promotion, occupational/speech/physiotherapy, occupational health, audiology.
Examples of studies in social sciences include: anthropology, community development, criminology, economics with a health/social focus, First Nation/Indigenous studies, geography, international relations, legal studies with a health/social focus, politics/political sciences, public health, sociology/social sciences, and sustainability with a health/social focus.
English Requirements:
To meet the English language proficiency requirements, applicants are required to provide documentation confirming completion of one of the following qualifications within the last five years, where the language of instruction was English:
- A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent).
- A bachelor-level qualification study for at least two years full-time, with a minimum overall GPA of 4.0, completed.
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test:
- An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) achieving an overall band score of at least 7.0 with a minimum 7.0 score across all four skill areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening.
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between the final examination date and the commencement date of study. They must appear on a single result certificate.
Each student will be assessed individually.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Graduates may pursue social work roles across health, community and human services settings, including positions such as:
- Case Manager
- Hospital Social Worker
- Family Support Worker
- Mental Health Social Worker
- Child and Family Practitioner
- Community Development Practitioner
- Policy Officer
- School Social Worker
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $35,760 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 48 credit points (normally eight units) per year.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
Student Testimonials
Abhishek Raha Roy Pranta, Master of Social Work (Qualifying) | Bangladesh
“I chose to study at CQU because the facilities and course structure stood out for their quality and care. I also found all my classmates to be incredibly passionate about making a change, and being in that atmosphere has been really motivating."
