Master of Social Work

What you will study

To complete the Master of Social Work, you must pass 16 credit points. This includes:

• Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period.
• 16 credit points of core units.

Level 1 - Trimester 1

• Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (zero credit points)
• Australian Social Work in an International Context
• Understanding Care and Risk
• Becoming a Social Worker
• Challenging Poverty and Social Exclusion

Level 1 - Trimester 2

• Professional Practice in Social Work A (three credit points)
• Research Literacy

Level 2 - Trimester 1

• Addressing Violence and Abuse
• Practising Social Work with Communities and Groups
• Responding to Trauma, Grief and Loss
• Collaborative Practice in Health and Community Care

Level 2 - Trimester 2

• Reconstructing Professional Practice
• Professional Practice in Social Work B (three credit points)

Entry requirements

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements and individual circumstances. You must meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

Please note that this course has limited places and entry is competitive. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. If all spots are filled, applications for this course may close before the published closing date.

Academic requirements

To be considered for admission to this degree, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• completion of a bachelor's degree in a related discipline that contains at least one year or the equivalent of full-time studies in the social and behavioural sciences

Examples of social and behavioural sciences areas include, but are not limited to:

• Anthropology, community development, criminology, economics, gender studies, geography, health and sustainability, indigenous studies, international relations, law, sociology
• Counselling, psychology and therapeutic roles such as art therapy, music therapy, play therapy, rehabilitation counselling
• Clinical areas such as nursing and midwifery, child development, drug and alcohol work, emergency services and medicine;
• Allied health and community services include audiology, disability and inclusion, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, youth work health promotion, public health, education, policy, political science and research.

As you know, this list is not exhaustive and should be used as a guide to subject area requirements. Selection will be determined by the content studied in successfully completed units.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

• Bachelor's degree from a recognised English-speaking country
• IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band score less than 7.0) or equivalent
• Other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Non-academic requirements

Inherent requirements

Applications are accepted from students who possess the skills and prerequisites required to complete the course, gain professional certification and practise safely. I have the course's inherent requirements for you here.

Further information

Note - Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) will not be admitted to the Master of Social Work. However, graduates of those courses are already eligible to apply for the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) membership and can practice professionally throughout Australia.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study, which exceeds the standard entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students must complete at least one-third of the course at Deakin University.

You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system, which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

Students must have completed a master 's-level education to be granted approval for prior study. Applications for RPL based on previous research should be submitted at least one week before the commencement of the trimester of the offer.

RPL cannot be granted for informal learning for any Master of Social Work units other than HSW714 – Professional Practice in Social Work.

Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) is possible for the first placement only (HSW714-Professional Practice in Social Work A) for students who demonstrate that their prior work experience has provided them with the knowledge and experience that would typically be provided in the first placement.

Applying for this type of RPL is a separate process; more information is available in the RPL Guidelines.

Applications for RPL are due on 30 March of the year and students are due to undertake their first placement. Late applications cannot be accepted and students are encouraged to apply earlier than this if possible.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Critically apply understanding of social work's histories, aims, values, ethics, theories and practice approaches in contemporary Australian contexts, across all domains including working with individuals, families, groups, communities, management, research, education and social policy.
• Practice social work reflectively in line with the code of ethics and professional practice standards of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
• Evaluate and apply appropriate communication and interpersonal skills in various contexts in social work practice and with diverse people, communities and organisations.
• Ethically and appropriately use digital technology in social work practice, including service provision and management, information acquisition and dissemination and research and evaluation.
• Critically analyse, synthesise and apply knowledge of social work theories, methods and skills to promote positive social change.
• Engage in reflective and responsive practice that considers the social context and the positioning of self and others.
• Evaluate and apply knowledge and understanding of a range of research paradigms and methods to the design and conduct of research relevant to the practice and evaluation of social work.
• Apply social work knowledge and intervention skills to appropriately and creatively respond to the needs of individuals, groups and communities in diverse settings, client groups and geographic locations.
• Demonstrate a sense of identity, integrity and self-management as a professional social worker in all areas of practice.
• Demonstrate the capacity to engage in professional supervision, be accountable for professional decisions and actions and recognise the need to engage in ongoing professional development, including supervision.
• Work and learn respectfully and inclusively in collaborative intra- and inter-disciplinary settings.
• Work and learn across diverse social, cultural and political locations.
• Enact acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians into social work practice.
• Evaluate and apply local and global knowledge of the social, political, cultural, legal and economic contexts of social work practice to respond effectively within a human rights and social justice framework.

Career outcomes

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 within the local social and community services industry and the broader national and international context. Graduates may find employment as social workers, policy officers, researchers, community development workers, case managers, counsellors and human rights advocates, working with individuals, families, groups and communities in the health and human services sectors.

Fees and CSP

Indicative first-year tuition fee in 2025: $9,314 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2025: $25,800 (domestic full-fee paying place)

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of eight credit points (normally eight units) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

• 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. Could you 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 only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is 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.