Monash University
Master of Social Work
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Explore social work in various settings, such as trauma care, family support and community development.
Course overview
The Master of Social Work degree is a graduate-entry degree that provides graduates with the knowledge, skills and professional experience required to work as qualified social workers. This course is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and includes 1000 hours of supervised placement over two years.
As we transition to a COVID-normal, we need social workers more than ever. Our Master of Social Work in Australia or online prepares you as a work-ready, qualified social worker in two years. He gives you the skills and practical experience to drive change and advocate for individuals, families and communities. Social work is a hands-on, people-focused profession and we apply this approach to our teaching. As a postgraduate social work student, you’ll start thinking like a social worker from day one of your degree with an early focus on developing the essential skills, such as interviewing, counselling and collaborative decision-making. In our course, you learn by doing - practising your assessment skills with actors or applying your knowledge to a case study in an interactive workshop. You’ll also gain professional experience by completing two 500-hour supervised placements, working with real clients at one of our partner organisations.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
From $1,164 (CSP)
What you will study
The course is structured in two parts, comprising 96 credit points: Part A. Advanced preparatory studies for social work practice and Part B. Social work practice applications.
Part A. Advanced preparatory studies for social work practice
You must complete the following units
- Orientation to practice
- Foundations for social work practice (12 credit points)
- Research for social work practice (12 credit points)
- Assessment and Intervention: Working with groups and communities
- Social work practice in health and mental health
- The Australian welfare state and social policy
Part B. Social work practice applications
You must complete the following units, either using the coursework option or the research option.
- Supervised professional practice 1 (18 credit points)
- Supervised professional practice 2 (18 credit points)
Entry requirements
Qualifications
- An Australian bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with at least a credit (60%) average and at least one year of full-time studies in the social and behavioural sciences.
- A master's program with at least a pass (50%) average qualifies graduates to register and practice in Allied Health, Education, Medicine or Nursing.
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
- Analyse and evaluate ethical issues in practice and apply ethical decision-making frameworks that respect cultural diversity and multicultural communities.
- Demonstrate professional behaviour and develop metacognitive skills that include critical and self-reflection in the context of the social work decision-making process.
- Engage in continuing professional development and lifelong learning.
- Apply the principles of social justice and human rights to social work practice.
- Evaluate and critique the social welfare system, laws and policies to improve social work outcomes at the individual and community level.
- Promote the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their cultures.
- Apply theories of human behaviour and development, as well as health and well-being, to resolve social work dilemmas and issues.
- Locate, appraise and apply current best evidence in social work practice.
- Identify broader historical and current structural disadvantages to promote social justice.
- Use culturally sensitive communication practices for effective inter-professional and collaborative engagement.
- Select from specific practice elements and techniques to assess and respond to meet individual, family, group and community needs.
- Manage information and communication by relevant legislation and in keeping with principles of confidentiality, informed consent and accountability.
Career outcomes
This course prepares you for the diverse career opportunities in social work. You can work in hospitals, mental health programs, government departments, community, human service and non-profit organisations. You may choose to specialise in working with specific populations, such as young people, victims of family violence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or LGBTQI communities or those affected by addiction. You can also choose to drive change on a large scale, with roles in policy or research.
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2025: $9,314 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Indicative 2025 first-year fee: $29,300 (Domestic full-fee paying place)
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study (eight units).
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied.
- 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 the courses 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.
