Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

What you will study

To complete the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), you must complete 400 credit points.

Year 1

• Introduction to Social Work Field Education
• Mental Health Recovery
• Social Work Practice with Individuals, Children and Families (50 Credit points)
• Violence, Abuse and Trauma
• Social Work in Contemporary Australia

Year 2

• Advanced Social Work Field Education (100 credit points)
• Groups and Communities
• Professional Identity and Decision-Making
• Research for Social Work Practice

Entry requirements

Applicants for a Master's Degree (Coursework) must meet the University's academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://study.curtin.edu.au/. Subject to the course duration, applicants usually require a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), a Bachelor's Honours Degree, a Graduate Certificate or a Graduate Diploma. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met. All Curtin courses have compulsory and other core capabilities essential for achieving course learning outcomes and graduation. Students who cannot meet or demonstrate those requirements, now or in later stages during their studies, may seek reasonable adjustments by the University, wherever possible, to facilitate alternative ways of achieving those requirements. If reasonable adjustments cannot be accommodated, Curtin will discuss study options to find an alternative course of study or an exit degree. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.

Specifically, applicants must have a relevant bachelor's degree or postgraduate degree, including at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences (studies of the individual and society) or equivalent prior learning, including appropriate professional experience. Entry into the course is competitive. If the Applicant’s prior degree is not considered relevant, they may be required to undertake prerequisite bridging units before commencing the program.

• Applicants must complete a relevant bachelor's degree before commencing this course.
• Applicants must show evidence of English language competency as demonstrated by an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) of 7.0 (or equivalent), as defined by the Curtin standard list. Please note that CUTE is not accepted.
• Applicants for this course should refer to the Faculty website for more information on Criminal Record Screening and Clearance and the Working with Children check.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Develop, integrate and critically apply social work values, knowledge and principles; provide assessment and intervention that informs consumers and the practice context.
• Work inclusively and creatively across diverse practice contexts; provide accountable and responsive leadership; demonstrate professional behaviour consistent with social work values, principles, ethics and practice standards.
• Demonstrate knowledge of relevant national and international social policies and practice standards to synthesise understanding of the interrelationship between local and global issues and apply an intersectional analysis to social policy domains.
• Apply appropriate communication and interpersonal skills using a variety of media relevant to the audience, guided by the ethical principles of the social work profession, which are underpinned by pursuing social justice and upholding human rights.
• In social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities and organisations, use appropriate technologies to research, evaluate and synthesise information, involving communicating knowledge within and beyond the discipline of Social Work, which generates sustainable solutions relevant to diverse contexts.
• Establish and sustain intellectual curiosity using various learning strategies, including research-informed practice, professional development and supervision.
• Value and respect the knowledge of Indigenous Australians; understand the effects of Australia’s colonial history and demonstrate advanced culturally responsive and inclusive practices; demonstrate commitment to social justice, including human rights.

Career outcomes

The excellent reputation of Curtin’s Social Work course means that graduates are in high demand in a growing area of high need. Graduates may be employed in urban, rural or remote settings, in health, child protection, education, mental health, non-government, community, aged care, refugee and social policy fields of practice. Work opportunities exist throughout Australia and internationally through recognition of the degree with the International Federation of Social Workers.

Fees and CSP

Estimated fee in 2025: $10,500 (Commonwealth Supported Place).

Indicative 2025 first-year fee: $28,784 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Student fees 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.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower. 

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per unit, you're enrolled in.
• Depending on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.