Master of Social Work (Qualifying) | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

Advance your skills and knowledge for a fairer world. As societies tackle modern challenges, social workers address structural inequalities and ensure people do not experience marginalisation. This professionally accredited, post-qualifying degree enables you to effect meaningful change.

In this program you will:

  • Develop your skills as a critically reflective and analytical social work practitioner
  • Build the advanced innovative knowledge and skills required to undertake social action, community development, policy analysis and development, advocacy and research
  • Integrate classroom learning with practical workplace experience in a huge range of fields, including health and mental health, child protection, disability, substance abuse, family violence, homelessness, working with young people, families, the elderly, refugees and Indigenous communities

Location

CRICOS code

073869J

Duration

2 years 2 years Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.

Indicative fees

Indicative 2025 fees (A$)

A$10,006 / A$22,478 - 2023 Fees CSP / Fee-paying
CSP / Fee-paying
A$26,800 / A$53,600 Annual fee / Estimated total fee
Annual fee / Estimated total fee

Start

  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2

Semester 2 commencement is available as part-time only and is not available to international students on a Student Visa.

Semester 2 commencement is available as part-time only and is not available to international students on a Student Visa.

Start
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
Delivery mode
  • Blended Learning
Total courses
12
Total units
192
Duration
2 years 2 years
CRICOS code
073869J
UniSC program code
AR707
Program structure
Required courses (12) 192 units

SWK700 Introduction to Social Work Practice Theories(36 units)
SWK701 Organisational and Legal Contexts for Practice(36 units)
SWK703 Working With Children, Youth and Families
SWK704 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
SWK705 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
SWK706 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SWK708 Mental Health and Wellbeing
SWK710 Community Development and Social Action
SWK777 Social Work Field Education 1
SWK785 Transition to Social Work Practice
SCS725 Social Research
SCS730 Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Note: Not all UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.

 

 
Study sequences

To be eligible for admission:

Applicants must hold a relevant 3-year Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) that contains at least one year, or the equivalent, of full-time studies in social and behavioural sciences. This is the minimum entry requirement as set out by the ASWEAS guidelines (2019).

If an applicant's prior degree has not specifically addressed the above, they may be required to undertake additional foundational study as determined by the School of Social Science (usually the Program Coordinator of Master of Social Work (Qualifying)).

To be accepted into the program, international students who have not completed a Year 12 or equivalent secondary school level qualification or higher qualification in the English language consistent with the requirements for admission to AQF Level 9 degree course in Australia must have a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in each component (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test upon application.

Applicants must complete a Personal Statement Form (up to 500 words) detailing the following:

  • What is your motivation to choose a career pathway into Social Work and what are the qualities you bring
  • How do your previous studies and experience align with the degree

Applicants may also be required to attend an interview.

English language requirements

You will also need to meet the English language requirements for this program. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you may be able to enrol in our English Language Programs to reach the required level for most of UniSC’s programs (exceptions apply to non-standard English requirement programs).

Post admission requirements

A student’s enrolment in field education will be conditional upon the following:

• the student’s eligibility for a Blue Card at the time of the first enrolment in the program
• maintenance of that eligibility throughout the entire program
• acquisition of a Blue Card prior to commencement of field education cable

Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
  • Successfully complete 192 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • All students are required to complete a minimum of 140 hours (equivalent to 20 full days) of face-to-face classroom-based learning, the focus of which is professional practice skills. At least 35 hours (equivalent to 5 full days) of face-to-face professional skills learning must occur before the first placement.
  • Professional skill competencies that must be demonstrated in classroom learning include but are not limited to: advanced oral communication skills and professional documentation; assessment, engagement and decision-making with individuals and groups; developing the personal and professional insight and emotional intelligence required for effective use of self as a professional.
  • Successfully complete 2 field education placements for a total of 1000 hours in different settings
In order to commence field education placement, you must:
  • Hold a valid Blue Card, throughout the duration of your program, which is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). You should allow 12 weeks for CCYPCG to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card or become ineligible will be unable to complete the field education component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements
  • Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority)
  • Travel to attend field education placements at your own expense
  • Please note, while all endeavours will be made to place students in a given semester, this is not guaranteed, and students may need to enrol at a later time should a position in an agency be unavailable in the preferred semester
  • Have all required mandatory vaccines
Program notes
  • Semester 2 commencement is available as part-time only (please see the study sequence for further details).
  • Semester 2 commencement is not available to international students on a Student Visa
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
  • The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
  • It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
  • Prior to entry into the program applicants will be required to submit their current Blue Card.
  • Refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
  • Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
WIL notes
  • It is a Queensland Government requirement that students undertaking a placement within a clinical setting are fit tested annually for an approved respirator. Clinical settings include hospitals, residential aged care facilities, residential disability care facilities, prison health services, youth detention health services, community health care settings, and vaccination clinics. If the Fit Testing requirement applies to placement activity within your Program, it will appear in your mandatory checks on Sonia Online. In accordance with Australian Standards, you must be clean shaven for your fit test. Facial hair that lies along the sealing surface of a tight-fitting respirator prevents an effective seal. Therefore, it is a requirement that there is no hair growth between the skin and the facepiece sealing surface in order to achieve a fit. At this stage, there is no exemption in Queensland to this requirement for religious or other reasons and UniSC is unable to waive this requirement.
  • It is no longer a requirement that students in Master of Social Work (Qualifying) are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

    Please note that some placement host organisations have chosen to continue requiring COVID-19 vaccination. If you are not fully vaccinated, it is important to know that placement opportunities in your program may be limited and may result in a delay to your placement.

    UniSC still strongly recommends that all students undertaking placement are fully vaccinated and provide evidence of this vaccination status to the University.

  • For more information on mandatory requirements refer to Social Work - Placement.

CSP estimate
A$10,006
Fee-paying estimate
A$22,478 - 2023 Fees
Annual tuition fee (A$, 2025)
A$26,800
Estimated total tuition fee (A$, 2025)
A$53,600