Master of Social Work

Graduates of the Master of Social Work will have advanced knowledge of the theory, policy and practice related to social work practice in Australia and internationally. Graduate knowledge will include all of the knowledge and skill domains outlined in the most recent (2012) Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) which sets out the principles, standards and graduate attributes for social work education.

Graduates of the Master of Social Work will have an understanding of a broad range of theoretical perspectives including social, behavioural and political sciences, sociology, psychology, community development, and organisational change. They will have advanced understanding of the political, social, cultural, legal, economic and global features of social work practice. They will have extended social work and inter-professional knowledge for work in a range of practice areas including child and family, young people, older people, disability, mental health, health, rehabilitation, communities, and international development.

Graduates of the Master of Social Work will have knowledge for professional practice including:

• theory and methods of social work practice
• an understanding of the tensions and key debates inherent in contemporary SW practice
• social policy and legislation
• policy and program development
• core values of social work
• cultural diversity, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
• ethical principles and ethical dimensions of social work and inter-professional practice methods and applicability of research relevant to social work domains of practice.

This professional qualifying postgraduate program provides you with a social work qualification that allows entry into the profession. It is specifically designed for graduates holding degrees with some social and behavioural science components. The program equips you with the knowledge, skills, values and ethical foundations for social work practice in contemporary social policy and human service contexts.

This is an AASW-accredited qualification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

The frameworks for practice incorporated in the program are designed to ensure graduates are effective, ethical, and innovative thinkers, communicators, problem-solvers, change facilitators and leaders.

Recommended study pattern

This program is offered in full-time and part-time mode. However, if you are intending to study part-time, it must be noted that the two field placements components of the program are to be completed within a full-time study load (at a minimum of three days per week).

On-campus elective courses may be offered at a campus other than a student's home campus. Students may be required to travel between campuses to complete some elective courses.

All students are required to attend at least 20 days on campus throughout their full period of study. This is a non-negotiable requirement of all AASW accredited social work programs in Australia.

This can be achieved by attending the embedded compulsory intensives held at Gold Coast campus only in set courses throughout the program:

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Foundations of Social Work Practice (10 days)
• Applied Counselling (5 days)
• Social Work Theory for Practice (5 days)
• Critical Reflective Practice and Leadership

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

To be eligible for the award of Master of Social Work (MSocW), a student must acquire 160 credit points made up of:

• 160 credit points for the Core Module

This degree may be awarded with Distinction where a student achieves a minimum program GPA of 6.5 with no failed courses. The words "This award was achieved with Distinction" will be recorded on the testamur.

Exit points

To be eligible to exit the Master of Social Work with the Graduate Certificate in Social Care (3397) a student must complete 7060HSV Foundations of Social Work Practice and 20 credit points from prescribed courses.

To be eligible to exit the Graduate Diploma of Social Care (4208) a student must complete 7060HSV Foundations of Social Work Practice and 60 credit points from prescribed courses.

To exit, a student should apply for a program transfer.

This degree may be awarded with Distinction where a student achieves a minimum program GPA of 6.5 with no failed courses. The words "This award was achieved with Distinction" will be recorded on the testamur.

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Indicative total fee $21,000

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.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

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To be eligible for admission to the Master of Social Work, a student must hold a relevant three-year degree in a related field (other than social work)* which includes at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences (studies of the individual and society) or equivalent.

* This includes programs in Behavioural Science, Child and Family, Community Development, Counselling, Criminology, Human Services, Indigenous Studies, Mental Health and Well-being, Political Science, Psychological Science, Psychology, Social Policy, Social Welfare, Sociology with a Human Services focus.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are:

• A minimum overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 7.0;
• OR an overall score of 65 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 65;
• OR a minimum score of 580 on TOEFL;
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 92 (no score less than 22);
• OR no score less than 4 in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only);
• OR a minimum overall score of 185 (no score less than 176) on C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)

* The ISLPR test will only be accepted if it has been administered by ISLPR Language Services, 9 Gowrie Street, Mt Gravatt, Queensland.

We will accept English language test scores from one test sitting OR a maximum of two test sittings in a six month period only if the following criteria are met:

• IELTS (Academic): A minimum overall score of 7.0 is achieved in each sitting and the applicant achieves a minimum of 7.0 in each component across the two sittings and no score in any component of the test is below 6.5

English test results must be no more than two years old.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this program.

The above requirements are HIGHER than those stipulated in University policy. Applicants should refer to the following University policy for further information:

• Admission Procedure

Enrolled students and graduates of this program will be eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) subject to meeting any additional requirements that may be stipulated by the AASW. As these requirements may change from time to time, students should contact the AASW to confirm registration requirements. Please refer to the AASW website for further details: Australian Association of Social Workers.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.

The University's Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy will apply. Credit will only be awarded in accordance with the requirements of the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) 2020 Section 5.6 Credit Transfer: MSW(Q).

There will be two field placement courses. These field placements are of 1000 hour minimum duration in an agency that meets the requirements of Griffith University. Students will be supervised by a qualified social worker for the duration of the field placement. In some situations, it may be possible to negotiate a work-place based field placement.

In accordance with Standard 4: Practice education of the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) 2024 "Placements will be undertaken over at least two years of the professional social work program of study".

All students are required to attend at least 20 days on campus throughout their full period of study. This is a non-negotiable requirement of all AASW accredited social work programs in Australia. This can be achieved by attending the embedded compulsory intensives held at Gold Coast campus only in set courses throughout the program:

• 7060HSV Foundations of Social Work Practice (10 days)*
• 7002HSV Applied Counselling (5 days)
• 7063HSV Critical Reflective Practice and Leadership (5 days)

* 7060HSV Foundations of Social Work Practice must be completed in the first trimester of study. Students must pass this introductory course to continue in the program and undertake the first field placement course.

This program is offered in full-time and part-time mode. However, if you are intending to study part-time, it must be noted that the two field placements components of the program are to be completed within a full-time study load (at a minimum of three days per week).