Master of Social Work
2019 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2019 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Social Work |
| Course Map | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2019 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser. |
| Campus | This course is only offered in Cloud (online) mode. Attendance at a minimum of 20 days of face to face time delivered during the two-year degree. |
| Cloud Campus | Yes |
| Duration | 2 years of full-time study or 4 years part-time study |
| Deakin course code | H703 |
| Approval status | This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
Course overview
Study a progressive social work course with a strong emphasis on practical experience gained through practical placements.
Social work is concerned with enhancing the wellbeing of people in their social environments. Our Master of Social Work focuses on social and community development; race and gender issues; critical social work perspectives; equity, power and diversity issues; and anti-oppressive and empowerment approaches to social work practice and social policy.
This course is accredited by Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), allowing you to enter the social work profession. The AASW recognises Deakin’s social work program’s commitment to ‘critically reflective practice’, which sets it apart from other social work programs in Australia. It also meets the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).
Fieldwork provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable skills and practical experience under the supervision of qualified social work practitioners. You will complete a minimum of 1000 hours of fieldwork placements conducted in a variety of communities and workplaces.
As a Deakin social work graduate, you will be eligible to apply for membership of the AASW and seek employment throughout Australia. The Master of Social Work creates a new pathway for entry into the profession and prepares graduates for a more advanced level of practice.
Indicative student workload
As a student in a Cloud (online) course in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting via CloudDeakin and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course.
Attendance requirements
Students are required to attend a minimum of 20 days of face to face time delivered during the two-year degree. Dates for 2019 are listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/faculties/faculty-of-health/school-of-health-and-social-development/course-info/master-of-social-work-attendance-requirements
Professional recognition
The professionally qualifying Master of Social Work creates a new pathway for entry into the profession and prepares graduates for a more advanced level of practice. The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) has fully accredited the Master of Social Work. The AASW has also singled out Deakin for our ‘critically reflective practice’, setting us apart from other social work programs in Australia.
Note: All information regarding professional recognition is accurate at the date of publication. Enquiries regarding accreditation and professional membership should be directed to the School of Health and Social Development in order to ascertain the current status of accreditation at any future point in time beyond publication. Representations about accreditation apply only to the course, and the AASW retains discretion as to who they admit as members of their association. Deakin University cannot exercise any control over membership of an external body.
Career opportunities
The two year Master of Social Work course is designed to provide a graduate level entry to educate students for critical, competent and effective professional social work practice both within the local social and community services industry and the broader national and international context. Graduates may find employment as a social worker, policy officer, researcher, community development worker, case manager, counsellor, human rights advocate, working with individuals, families, groups and communities in the health and human services sectors.
Participation requirements
This course is only offered in Cloud (online) mode. As a student in a Cloud (online) course in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting via CloudDeakin and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course.Attendance at a minimum of 20 days of face to face time delivered during the two-year degree.
Mandatory student checks
Department of Human Services policy - Police Record Check and Working With Children Check
In accordance with Department of Human Services policy, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to clinical placements in each calendar year of their course.
In accordance with the Department of Justice 2007, Working with Children Act 2005, amended 2017, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check and a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement and this will impede progress in the course. Students are also required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.
Pathways
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses.Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities | Critically apply understanding of the histories, aims, values, ethics, theories and practice approaches of social work in contemporary Australian contexts, across all domains including working with individuals, families, groups, communities, management, research education and social policy. Practice social work reflectively in line with the code of ethics and professional practice standards of the Australian Association of Social Workers. |
| Communication | Evaluate and apply appropriate communication and interpersonal skills in a broad range of social work practice contexts and with a diversity of people, communities and organisations. |
| Digital Literacy | Use digital technology in social work practice ethically and appropriately, including service provision and management, information acquisition and dissemination, and research and evaluation. |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse, synthesise and apply knowledge of social work theories, methods and skills to promote positive social change. Engage in reflective and responsive practice that considers the social context, and the positioning of self and others. Evaluate and apply knowledge and understanding of a range of research paradigms and methods to the design and conduct of research relevant to the practice and evaluation of social work. |
| Problem Solving | Apply social work knowledge and intervention skills to appropriately and creatively respond to the needs of individuals, groups and communities in diverse settings, client groups and geographic locations. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate a sense of identity, integrity and self-management as a professional social worker in all areas of practice. |
| Teamwork | Work and learn respectfully and inclusively across diverse social, discipline, cultural and political contexts. |
| Global Citizenship | Ability to evaluate and apply local and global knowledges social work practice to respond effectively within a human rights and social justice framework. |
Course rules
To complete the Master of Social Work students must attain 16 credit points. All units are core (these are compulsory).
Students must complete two practice education units as part of the core units, each involving a minimum of 500 hours (across at least 65 days) of practicum (field placement) in a social or community service agency or program.
Failure of a practice education placement in the Master of Social Work will normally lead to exclusion.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).
Inherent requirements
Students should also be aware of the inherent requirements of the course.
Course structure
Core units
Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2017 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2015 should refer to previous online Handbooks or consult a student advisor.
Level 1 - Trimester 1
| HAI010 | Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
| HSW701 | Australian Social Work in an International Context |
| HSW702 | Understanding Care and Risk |
| HSW703 | Becoming a Social Worker |
| HSW705 | Challenging Poverty and Social Exclusion |
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| HSW714 | Professional Practice in Social Work A (3 credit points) |
| HSH725 | Research Literacy for Health Practice |
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| HSW707 | Addressing Violence and Abuse |
| HSW709 | Practicing Social Work with Communities and Groups |
| HSW711 | Responding to Trauma, Grief and Loss |
| HBS745 | Collaborative Practice in Healthcare |
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| HSW704 | Reconstructing Professional Practice |
| HSW715 | Professional Practice in Social Work B (3 credit points) |
Work experience
Practice Education
Students must complete two practice education units, each involving a minimum of 500 hours (across at least 65 days) of practicum (field placement) in a social or community service agency or program. Students must also attend and participate in the associated pre-placement preparation seminars at Waterfront (Geelong) in the Trimester prior to the placement being undertaken - dates to be advised.
Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) is possible for the first placement only (HSW714-Professional Practice in Social Work A) for students who are able to demonstrate that their prior work experience has provided them with the knowledge and experience that would normally be provided in the first placement. Applications for RPL are due 30th March of the year students are due to undertake their first placement. Late applications cannot be accepted.
Further information is available in the RPL Guidelines
Income support
Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.
Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.