Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

What you will study

The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) Online comprises 12 units, including six coursework units, four intensive units and two field education placements.

Coursework units

• Social Work in Global, Regional and Local Contexts
• Working with Diverse Communities
• Psychological Health across the Lifecycle
• Ethical and Legal Contexts of Social Work Practice
• Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice
• Policy Development, Leadership and Organisational Practice

Intensive units

• Theoretical Approaches to Social Work Practice
• Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice
• Working with Families, Children and Young People
• Groupwork Practice in Social Work

Field education placement units

• Field Education Placement 1
• Field Education Placement 2

Entry requirements

To be eligible for the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), applicants must have:

• An Australian Bachelor’s degree or equivalent or a higher-level qualification in a related field from a recognised tertiary institution.
• Completed at least one year of full-time study or equivalent, at a minimum of AQF Level 7 in social sciences and human behaviour.

Examples of related areas of study include:

• Psychology, research and policy studies
• Allied health, including midwifery, occupational therapy, nursing, audiology, health promotion, physiotherapy and pharmacy
• Counselling and therapeutic studies, including play therapy, rehabilitation, drug and alcohol work, counselling, art therapy, music therapy, disability and inclusion
• Clinical areas such as child development, medicine, emergency services and working with older people
• Education and teaching
• Indigenous studies, culture and human diversity, media, gender studies, social theory and population studies
• Human resource management and marketing studies, including diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, leadership and coaching, managing people and change management, negotiation, regulations and ethics
• Community services, human services, social welfare and youth work.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants who have completed a three-year Bachelor of Social Welfare or Bachelor of Community Services and have a minimum of three years of relevant work experience may be eligible to receive credit for up to 25% of the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), which is the equivalent of four units. Recognition of Prior Learning applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the course convener.

Career outcomes

UC’s online Master of Social Work (Qualifying) will prepare you for a fulfilling career in social work. Whether you’re pursuing a career in healthcare, aged care, community services, research or policy and planning, the MSWQ will provide you with the skills to work across a diverse range of community settings. The career outcomes include, but are not limited to:

• Social Worker
• Case Manager
• Family Support Worker
• Community Worker
• Engagement Officer
• Policy Advisor
• Youth Worker

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative cost per unit in 2026: $3,481.25 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative total course cost in 2026: $55,700 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Fees are subject to annual review by the university and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are subject to the choice of elective units. The fees listed are for tuition only. Other fees and charges are not included.

The amount you pay will vary depending on:

• The calendar year you enrol.
• Your choice of elective units, RPL, leave and unit availability.

For more information, please speak with the university's Student Enrolment Adviser.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.