The Master of Social Work is a vibrant and challenging program. You will be encouraged to build on your existing knowledge and experience, and gain a sound understanding of social work values and practice approaches. The course emphasises social justice, human rights, and achieving the best possible outcomes for the most marginalised and disadvantaged members of our community. You will be taught by leading social work practitioners and academics, with a strong focus on experiential learning.

You must attend a compulsory, 10-day on-campus component in Year 1 and a 10-day on-campus component in Year 2 of your program (i.e., 20 on-campus days in total), delivered at ACU's Brisbane and Melbourne campuses.

Professional experience

The course includes a total of 1,000 hours of supervised field education and training and ACU will match you to your placements based on where you are geographically located.

Work placement

ACU has strong industry ties with organisations such as health, community and Government departments for placements.

Field education is a core element of the program and a major part of your professional identity development. It provides an opportunity for you to observe, question and model social work behaviours, translate social work theory into practice, and apply knowledge drawn from other units of study. The course includes a total of 1,000 hours of supervised field education and training and ACU will match you to your placements.

Before undertaking a placement unit, all students are required to have completed the pre-requisite units and completed the Faculty of Health Sciences Mandatory Compliance by the 31st May of each year. , including a Fitness for Practice survey. Students should refer to the checklist for placements in social work, and the Social Work Field Education Handbook for full details of the requirements to ensure that they meet eligibility for enrolment in a placement unit.

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). 

There are two field placement units in the MSWQ. These field placements are of 1000 hour minimum duration in agency or project contexts that meets the requirements of the University. In accordance with Section 4 of the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) 2020 "Placements will be undertaken over at least two years of the professional social work program of study". Placements are allocated by ACU, based on the requirements of the AASW. 

Students will be supervised by a qualified social worker for the duration of the field placement, either on-site or via external supervision. In some situations, it may be possible to negotiate a work-place based placement or receive Recognition of Prior Learning for all or part of the first placement unit 

Community engagement

 

Accreditation

This is an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) provisionally accredited qualification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and meets the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

Students undertaking a provisionally accredited course have the same standing and eligibility as graduates from all other AASW accredited courses.

Careers

Social workers may also work in different areas of practice, including:

• family work
• youth and child welfare services
• medical and health services
• disability services
• psychiatric and general mental health
• community services
• aged care
• income support
• mediation
• research