Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)
Why study the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) at UNE?
The Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) provides graduates with the theoretical and practical skills required to work as a professional social worker and eligibility to become a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Social Workers typically work with disadvantaged and marginalised individuals, groups, and communities within a social justice framework in counselling, advocacy, and the enhancement of quality of life. Social workers work toward addressing barriers, inequality and injustices faced by many groups and sub-groups in our community. Social work education is grounded within a framework that examines the interface of and between human behaviour and complex social interactions. While covering all the core requirements of a professional social work degree, the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) provides students with a rural focussed program, with additional foci on Indigenous peoples, child protection and law. The course incorporates the mandatory supervised professional fieldwork experience in relevant social work settings and is available to students to study either on campus, off campus or mixed mode to suit their own study needs over their candidature.
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Degree Snapshot
DURATION
2 Years Full-timeUp to 5 years Part-time
FEES
CSP (quotas apply)Full Fee
International
2013 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale
Trimester 1, Off CampusTrimester 1, On Campus
How to Apply
International Students
International students apply direct to UNE through International Marketing and Pathways. This course is only available off-campus (distance education).For more information, click here
Contact Us
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| Official Abbreviation | MSW(ProfQual) | |||||||||
| Course Type | Postgraduate | |||||||||
| Commencing |
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| Course Duration |
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| Fees | CSP (quotas apply)/ Full Fee / International | |||||||||
| Total Credit Points | 96 | |||||||||
| Benefits | This is an approved Student Income Support course. Eligible students may apply for Youth Allowance or Austudy. |
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| How to apply |
All domestic students apply direct to UNE For more information, click here
International students apply direct to UNE through International Marketing and Pathways. This course is only available off-campus (distance education). For more information, click here |
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| Entry Requirements | 1. A candidate shall hold a three year undergraduate degree in a discipline other than social work from a recognised university, which includes 36 credit points (6 units or equivalent) being: (a) at least 12 credit points (2 units or equivalent) of studies in Psychology; and (b) at least 12 credit points (2 units or equivalent) of studies in Sociology; and (c) at least 6 credit points (1 unit or equivalent) of studies in Political systems in Australia; and (d) at least 6 credit points (1 unit or equivalent) of studies in Research Methods; or (e) 36 credit points deemed by the course coordinator to be an equivalent and relevant combination of 1(a), 1(b), 1(c) and 1(d) in line with accreditation requirements of the Australian Association of social workers. 2. Applicants who are up to 12 credit points short of meeting the prerequisites for this degree may be permitted to enrol and complete directed units (at point 3) concurrently while enrolling in the approved units for the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying). Applicants requiring more than 12 credit points to meet pre-requisite requirements may enrol in the Bachelor of Social Work to complete the required units and then apply for admission to Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) course. 3. Where a candidate does not meet pre-requisite criteria at 1.(a), (b), (c) (d) and/or (e), they may complete the required units as follows: (a) to meet criteria 1.(a) - up to 12cp of 100, 200 or 300 level Psychology units; (b) to meet criteria 1.(b) - up to 12cp of 100, 200 or 300 level Sociology units; (c) to meet criteria 1.(c) - 6cp of 100, 200 or 300 level Australian Political System unit; (d) to meet criteria 1.(d) - 6cp at least of studies in Research Methods. 4. Where a candidate holds an international qualification in social work that does not meet the Australian Association of Social Worker eligibility for membership, admission may be sought to the degree through permission from the social work course coordinator and Head, School of Health. However, the candidate will be individually responsible for contacting the Australian Association of Social Workers regarding eligibility for membership based on their individual circumstances. 5. International students must meet the University's English language requirements. |
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| Additional Requirements | Criminal Records Check: Some agencies, including state government Health and Family Services departments, have a policy that all staff, including students undertaking placements, in positions dealing with children and other vulnerable people must undergo a criminal record check and working with children. It is a requirement that a Federal Police Certificate be submitted to the Field Education Office by all students within two weeks of commencing the academic year in the second year of this course. Vaccinations: Some departments require evidence of up to date vaccination status for students undertaking fieldwork within their agency. Students will be responsible for completing the necessary vaccinations within the first six months of enrolling in this course. Students are responsible for providing this evidence to the Field Education Office. International students should be aware they will be required to meet English language requirements for eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers upon graduation. |
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| Practical, Clinical or Work Experience | To be eligible for membership with the AASW, social work students are required to undertake a minimum of 980 hours (140 x 7 hour days) practical fieldwork during their training, with a minimum placement being 40 days, 2 days per week with a block of at least 2 x 5 day weeks. The AASW also require 5 face-to-face teaching days for every FTE trimester a student undertakes. Therefore a 5-day mandatory intensive school will be attended during fieldwork placements. UNE will require that students undertake 1000 hours of fieldwork. In the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) this will be taken as two placements over two units. The first fieldwork placement is (HSSW330:18) and is taken in Trimester 2 of year 1. This fieldwork placement is 450 hours (+ 5 days on campus). The number of days p/week will be negotiated with individual students and placement agencies, including a full time block of at least 2 weeks during the placement as per AASW requirements. The second placement HSSW430 is taken in trimester 4 of study and is full time study load for that trimester. This second placement totals 550 hours (5 days on campus). The number of days p/week will be negotiated with individual students and placement agencies in compliance with AASW requirements. Due to the nature of fieldwork and the range of agencies involved, this unit will only be offered full time in trimester 2 of any year. Therefore, part time students will need to increase their study load for their final trimester of the award. |
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| Advanced Standing | No advanced standing will be considered for students enrolling in this award, except where a candidate meets admission criteria and prior social work units have been successfully completed within an accredited Australian social work program at a recognised Australian University. Students who have prior work experience in the social work field may apply to the School of Health Social Work Fieldwork Coordinator for Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) in the teaching period prior to enrolling in HSSW330 in accordance with the AASW guidelines and School of Health Social Work Fieldwork guidelines on RPL for fieldwork. |
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| Academic Colours |
Old Rose (BCC 157) |
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| Further Information | 
You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE |
Admission to Candidature
1. A candidate shall hold a three year undergraduate degree in a discipline other than social work from a recognised university, which includes 36 credit points (6 units or equivalent) being:
(a) at least 12 credit points (2 units or equivalent) of studies in Psychology; and
(b) at least 12 credit points (2 units or equivalent) of studies in Sociology; and
(c) at least 6 credit points (1 unit or equivalent) of studies in Political Systems in Australia; and
(d) at least 6 credit points (1 unit or equivalent) of studies in Research Methods; or
(e) 36 credit points deemed by the Course Coordinator to be an equivalent and relevant combination of 1(a), 1(b), 1(c), and 1(d) in line with accreditation requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers
2. Applicants who are up to 12 credit points short of meeting the prerequisites for this degree may be permitted to enrol and complete directed units concurrently while enrolling in the approved units for the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying). Applicants requiring more than 12 credit points to meet pre-requisite requirements may enrol in the Bachelor of Social Work to complete the required units and then apply for admission to the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) course.
3. Where a candidate does not meet pre-requisite criteria at 1.(a), (b), (c) (d) and/or (e), they may complete the required units as follows:
(a) to meet criteria 1.(a) - up to 12 credit points of 100, 200 or 300 level Psychology units;
(b) to meet criteria 1.(b) - up to 12 credit points of 100, 200 or 300 level Sociology units;
(c) to meet criteria 1.(c) - 6 credit points of 100, 200 or 300 level Australian Political System units;
(d) to meet criteria 1.(d) - 6 credit points at least of studies in Research Methods
4. Where a candidate holds an international qualification in social work that does not meet the Australian Association of Social Worker eligibility for membership, admission may be sought to the degree through permission from the Social Work Course Coordinator and Head, School of Health. However, the candidate will be individually responsible for contacting the Australian Association of Social Workers regarding eligibility for membership based on their individual circumstances.
5. International students must meet the University's English language requirements.
Additional Requirements
Criminal Records Check
Some agencies, including the NSW Department of Health and the NSW Department of Community Services have a policy that all staff, including students undertaking placements, in positions dealing with children and other vulnerable people must undergo a criminal record check. It is a requirement that a Federal Police certificate be submitted by all students within 2 weeks of the start of the academic year, in the second year of being enrolled in this course.
Vaccinations
Some departments require evidence of up to date vaccination status for students undertaking fieldwork within their agency. Students are required to complete the necessary vaccinations within the first 6 months of being enrolled in the course. Students are responsible for providing evidence of vaccinations to the Field Education Office.
International students should be aware that they will be required to meet English language requirements for eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers upon graduation.
Advanced Standing
No advanced standing will be considered for students enrolling in this award, except where a candidate meets admission criteria and prior social work units have been successfully completed with an accredited Australian social work program at a recognised Australian university.
Students who have prior work experience in the social work field may apply to the School of Health Social Work Course Coordinator for recognised prior learning in the trimester prior to enrolling in HSSW330 in accordance with the AASW guidelines and School of Health Social Work Fieldwork guidelines on RPL for fieldwork.
Period of Candidature
The period of candidature shall be:
(a) two years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to five years as a part-time candidate.
Course Requirements
To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 96 credit points including 1000 hours of fieldwork.
Program of Study
Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:
| Course Structure | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Core Units | 96 cps |
| 1000 hrs of Fieldwork | - |
| Total | 96 cps |
To view complete Program of Study click here
Award of Degree
Candidates who meet the course requirements including 1000 hours of fieldwork shall be awarded the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying).
Progress and Conduct
1. Candidates are referred to the University's General Rules Policy on Academic Progress.
2. A candidate who twice fails HSSW330 shall not be permitted to re-enrol in the unit without the permission of the Head of School and Executive Dean.
3. A candidate who twice fails HSSW430 shall not be permitted to re-enrol in the unit without the permission of the Head of School and Executive Dean.
4. A candidate who breaches the Australian Association of Social Workers professional Code of Ethics will be excluded from the degree.
Improper Conduct
Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Rules.
| Course Aims |
To prepare graduates for employment as professional social workers in a variety of fields including designated social work positions with government and non-government agencies, local and community services, general positions that aim to redress issues of social inequality and disadvantage, as well as research positions in related fields.
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| Learning Outcomes | Learning outcome information is currently unavailable for this course. |
| Graduate Attributes | Graduate attribute information is currently unavailable for this course. |