University of Canberra
Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
- Delivery: Online
- Commitment: 15 - 20 hours/week
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 32-36 months
Develop professional social work knowledge and practice skills across areas including diversity, psychosocial health, ethics, research, policy, trauma and family practice, supported by intensive learning and 1,000 hours of supervised field education.
Course overview
The University of Canberra’s online Master of Social Work (Qualifying) prepares graduates for entry into professional social work practice. You will develop knowledge of social work theory, ethics, diversity and social justice while learning how social workers engage with individuals, families, groups, communities and organisations. The course also examines the social, cultural and structural factors that influence people’s experiences and wellbeing.
Your studies cover areas including psychosocial health across the lifespan, ethical and legal contexts of practice, research and evaluation, policy development, leadership, trauma-informed practice, working with families, children and young people and group work. The course develops skills in critical reflection, research, professional judgement and applying social work frameworks across different practice contexts.
Although much of the coursework is completed online, the course also includes four intensive units with mandatory one-week in-person components. Students also complete two supervised field education placements of 500 hours each, for a total of 1,000 placement hours, together with integrated seminars. Each field education unit extends across three consecutive study blocks and can run for up to 24 weeks.
The degree comprises 48 credit points across 12 units and is normally completed over three years part-time or 16 study blocks, with a maximum completion period of six years. UC classifies the course as Online Plus because physical attendance is required for placements and intensive components. The course currently holds provisional accreditation with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
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
15th March, 2027
10th May, 2027
5th July, 2027
30th August, 2027
25th October, 2027
What you will study
Students must pass 48 credit points as follows:
- Social Work in Global, Regional and Local contexts PG
- Working with Diverse Communities PG
- Psychosocial Health Across the Lifecycle PG
- Ethical and Legal Contexts of Social Work Practice PG
- Theoretical Approaches to Social Work Practice PG
- Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice PG
- Policy Development, Leadership and Organisational Practice PG
- Trauma Informed Social Work Practice PG
- Working with Families, Children and Young People PG
- Groupwork Practice in Social Work PG
- Field Education Placement 1 PG
- Field Education Placement 2 PG
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.
English language requirements
You can demonstrate your proficiency in a number of ways, including through an approved English language test or recognised past study taught and assessed in English.
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) requires an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0.
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
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate and articulate social work knowledges, theoretical frameworks, and values in working with diversity and difference.
- Analyse intersectionality and the forms of oppression that influence lived experiences and the implications for social work practice.
- Assess, design, and reflect on complex social work engagement strategies at an individual, group, community, and societal level.
- Evaluate decision-making processes and professional judgements within social work's code of ethics.
- Plan, design and undertake social work research and evaluation.
- Critically reflect on social work's engagement with and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and ways of knowing, being and doing.
- Synthesise knowledge of social, economic, and ecological justice for application in social work practice.
- Demonstrate the autonomy, expert judgment, and adaptability necessary for leadership roles and a lifelong career in human services.
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:
- 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, and 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
Fees and CSP
Total indicative full-course fee in 2027: $19,760 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Indicative annual fee in 2027: $9,880 (24 credit points)
Price per standard unit in 2027: $1,235 (3 credit points)
Price per field education placement unit in 2027: $3,705 (9 credit points)
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) comprises 48 credit points, including ten compulsory 3-credit-point units and two 9-credit-point field education placement units.
The total indicative course fee is calculated using the 2027 CSP student contribution rates:
- Ten standard units: 10 × $1,235 = $12,350
- Two field education placement units: 2 × $3,705 = $7,410
- Total indicative course fee: $19,760
This calculation assumes all units are charged at their published 2027 rates. The indicative annual fee represents a standard full-time study load of 24 credit points. Actual yearly costs will depend on enrolment and study load.
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may change.
You may also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Contact the university directly to confirm current fees and CSP availability.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government subsidises part of the tuition fees for eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). Students pay the remaining amount, known as the student contribution amount.
CSPs for postgraduate courses are limited and available for selected courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated for each unit you enrol in.
- Based on the discipline area and equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL) of each unit.
- Reviewed and adjusted annually.
Eligible Commonwealth supported students may be able to use HECS-HELP to defer payment of their student contribution amount.
