Information valid for students commencing in 2021.
Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)
Handbook year | 2021 |
Course code | 103804 |
Course type | Masters Degree (Coursework) (AQF Level 9) |
Professional Accreditation Status | This course is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Graduates are eligible for full membership of AASW. Student preliminary membership is available. |
Owner | Division of Tropical Environments and Societies |
College | Arts, Society and Education |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Course pre-requisites | Completion of an approved AQF Level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant discipline other than an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) recognised social work degree; or Other qualifications recognised by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Tropical Environments and Societies as equivalent to the above. |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the 番茄社区 Admissions Policy. |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense. (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure. |
Post admission requirements | On-campus attendance requirement: The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) requires all students to demonstrate that they have attended 20 days on campus face-to-face through their entire course. Students need to be aware that meeting the AASW attendance requirements does not mitigate the attendance requirements for specific subjects within this course. Throughout this course more than 20 days attendance face to face on campus may be required. Students commencing in Study Period 1 (SP1) are required to attend either Cairns or Townsville campus for up to 5 days of compulsory workshops within the first 4 weeks of the semester and up to 5 days of compulsory workshops during the scheduled Lecture Recess. Students commencing in Study Period 2 (SP2) are required to attend Townsville campus for up to 5 days of compulsory workshops during the third week of lectures and up to 5 days of compulsory workshops during the scheduled Lecture Recess. For Cairns based students who commence in SP2, any additional costs incurred to attend the Townsville campus will be at the students own expense. Suitability to Work with Children Card (blue card): This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements that may involve contact with children under 18 years of age. Students are required to obtain a Suitability to Work with Children Card (which involves a criminal history check undertaken by the Queensland Police) before the start of the first placement. Students must retain a current Suitability to Work with Children Card for the duration of their course, as failure to do so will result in the termination of their admission to the course. For more information, refer to: |
Academic Requirements for Course Completion
Credit points | 48 credit points as per course structure |
Course learning outcomes | On successful completion of the Master of Social Work (PQ), graduates will be able to: Demonstrate understanding of an advanced and integrated body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying values, ethics, theories, research principles and methods, professional practice and workplace contexts in the social work discipline Reflect critically on the unique, complex and contemporary relationships between social work and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and their diverse histories and cultures Reflect critically on the impact of complex social, political and historical issues on environmental and social sustainability in Australia and internationally, with a focus on the tropics Investigate, analyse critically and transform complex social systems, institutions, structures, processes, practices and inequities Consolidate, synthesise, research and evaluate recent developments in social policy and evidence to devise practical and knowledge solutions that reduce social barriers, inequalities and injustice Interpret and communicate, to specialist and non-specialist audiences, theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions in the social work discipline through advanced literacy, numeracy and technological skills Design, plan and execute a substantial research based project Manage service provision and professional practice to engage with and enable individuals, groups and communities to achieve social and environmental justice Apply and adapt expert and specialised professional practice knowledge and skills, autonomously and in collaboration with others, to address social barriers, inequity and injustice across diverse contexts Demonstrate creativity and initiative, and expert judgement and adaptability in engagement, planning, decision-making, problem-solving, provision and evaluation of specialist advice and functions, to achieve practice, organisational, policy and/or system level outcomes Demonstrate high-level responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional development.
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Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
WS5517:06 Foundations for Social Work Practice
WS4503:03 Social Work and Mental Health
WS2121:03 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Skills and Frameworks for Practice
WS4514:03 Theories for Social Work Practice
WS5304:06 Field Education 1
WS3027:03 Social Welfare Practice with Children and Families
WS5103:03 Community Development
WS5005:03 Social Policy Analysis
SS5103:06 Post-Graduate Research Methods for the Social Sciences
WS5611:03 Professional Development for Social Work Practice
WS5605:09 Advanced Social Work Practicum
Campus
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
番茄社区 Cairns | Mixed-mode Attendance Cairns-based and External students who commence mid-year will be required to travel to Townsville twice during their first Study Period to attend compulsory workshops, as described in the Post Admission Requirements. |
番茄社区 Townsville | Mixed-mode Attendance |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 2 years full-time or equivalent part-time |
Maximum time to complete | 5 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 1 year |
Progression
Course progression requisites | Nil |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | Yes Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure. Students may be required to undertake placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled at their own expense. |
Special assessment requirements | Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy. |
Professional accreditation requirements | Nil |
Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade | Nil |
Supplementary exam for final subject | A student who has failed the final subject towards the award and who gained 40% or more of the marks for that subject, may be granted a supplementary examination in that subject. However if that subject is required for accreditation, then the criteria specified by that accreditation will apply. |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for a credit transfer for previous tertiary study or informal and non-formal learning in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure |
Maximum allowed | 24 credit points |
Currency | Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course. |
Expiry | Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 15 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course. |
Other restrictions | Nil |
Award Details
Award title | MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK (PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING) |
Approved abbreviation | MSW(PQ) |
Inclusion of majors on testamur | Not applicable - this course does not have majors |
Exit with lesser award | Not applicable |
Course articulation | Not applicable |