Master of Social Work (Graduate Entry)

On completion of the course you will be able to:

1. Practice as a professional social worker in a knowledgeable, competent, reflective and responsible manner.
2. Understand and assess the complex individual, family, societal and systemic factors that contribute to the issues experienced by people who use social work services.
3. Articulate the theory, rationale and methods involved in various professional practice approaches and demonstrate the ability to apply these approaches differentially.
4. Identify, interpret and respond professionally to the major social justice issues facing Australian society and the international community.
5. Show awareness of the historical, cultural and interpersonal contexts that affect how First Nations Australians approach social work services, and demonstrate ways of moving toward mutual trust and engagement.
6. Conduct, analyse, interpret and contribute to the current research related to social issues, social policy and social work practice.
7. Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional learning as a critically reflective practitioner.

The Master of Social Work - Graduate Entry requires 2 years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The course is offered by the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.

The Graduate Certificate in Society and the Individual can be used as a pathway to the Master of Social Work - Graduate Entry for those students who do not have a Social Sciences background. 

Recommended study pattern

The Master of Social Work at Flinders University is designed to be completed over two years full-time or equivalent four years part-time study. The program includes core topics, field placements, and research components to develop students’ professional knowledge and practical skills.

Year 1

First half of the year

• Social Work Theories
• Social Work with Diverse Populations
• Engaging in Professional Contexts
• Practice with Individuals

Second half of the year

• Social Work Research in Practice Settings
• Social Work with Groups and Communities
• First Placement

Year 2

First half of the year

• Trauma and Resilience
• Professional Practice in Mental Health
• Complexities in Work with Children and Families
• Social Issues and Social Policy

Second half of the year

• Integrity in Social Work Practice
• Social Work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
• Final Placement

Award requirements

To qualify for the Master of Social Work - Graduate Entry, a student must complete 72 units with a grade of Pass (P) or Non-Graded Pass (NGP) or better in each topic, following the program of study detailed in the course handbook.

Exit points

• Graduate Diploma in Social Work – Students who have successfully completed 36 units of study, including core topics, may be eligible to exit with this qualification.
• Graduate Certificate in Social Work – Students who have successfully completed 18 units of study may be eligible to exit with this qualification.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $18,628

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Flinders University is a globally-focused, locally-engaged institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research. They offer world‐class education that develops the critical and creative thinking skills to support a student’s success. Their courses offered through Open Universities Australia span business, education and law. They are designed with flexibility in mind, while delivering the advanced qualifications to take careers to the next step.

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• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent: Applicants must hold a recognised bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline from an accredited institution.
• Social and Behavioural Sciences Prerequisite: Must have completed one year of full-time equivalent studies (or 36 units) in social and behavioural sciences. . Examples include the following but not restricted to: Anthropology, Community Development, Counselling, Criminology, Geography with a human/social focus, Indigenous Studies, International relations, Philosophy, Political Sciences, Psychological sciences, Psychology, Sociology, Public Health, Nursing and post-graduate nursing studies, Educational sociology, Social Policy, and Mental health and wellbeing. 
• Pathway from Graduate Certificate: Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Social Work may provide an entry pathway into the Master of Social Work (Graduate Entry).

If students are unable to meet the entry requirements as set out above, then they are required to enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Society and the Individual as a pathway into the Master of Social Work.

Flinders University conducts an English Language proficiency check on applications submitted for consideration to its courses. 

This will be met in a number of ways, including if the applicants: 

• first language is English (i.e. citizenship is held for a country where English is the official language)
• completed secondary schooling in Australia
• completed prior study in English (e.g. a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised Australian training institution)
• completed one semester of full-time equivalent tertiary study at a higher education institution 
• completed a recognised Foundation Studies or bridging program 
• performance in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) meets the University's admissions requirements 
• registered with an Australian professional registration body relevant to the applicant's proposed course (e.g. applicant holds current registration as a Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Teacher, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and such in Australia)
• achieved a score within an international English language proficiency test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge CAE that meets the minimum proficiency for the university
• completed an approved English language course from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Provider

In some instances, applicants may be asked to provide evidence they meet the requirements if the information required is not available in their application. 

Credit transfer may be granted, on application, for prior study completed in a relevant honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master degree; accredited professional development; or relevant work experience.

Applications for credit transfer are assessed on a case by case basis according to Flinders University policies. Students must be made an offer for entry into a degree before lodging their completed credit transfer application, along with all necessary documentation for formal assessment.

You will undertake two field placements totalling 500 hours each. Placements are usually offered over four days per week.

Placements are designed to provide you with learning opportunities in a range of practice settings, with varied practice methodologies and different client groups.

Field placements enable you to develop professional values, knowledge and skills and demonstrate your judgement and expertise.

You are required to receive a National Criminal History Check and Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) screening and background checks, stating that you have successful clearances, in order to be eligible to undertake field placements. Students who do not receive DCSI clearances will not be able to complete their placement and therefore complete their degree. You are strongly advised to hold an Australian Driver’s Licence. Some placement agencies require students to receive vaccinations.

The course has inherent requirements including in the areas of:

• Skill requirements
• Professional experience placement requirements
• Reasonable adjustments.

For further details visit the Master of Social Work inherent requirements webpage.

Students in the Master of Social Work - Graduate Entry are required by the AASW to attend at least 20 days on campus throughout their course. This course requirement applies to students who are enrolled and studying while living overseas as well as to those who live in Australia. Students enrolled externally can meet the requirement to attend 20 days on campus by attending non-semester (NS) topics delivered via a combination of online preparation and one five day intensive each. At least one block of at least five days face-to-face study must be completed prior to the first placement.