Master of Social Work

This degree prepares graduates for practice in a range of social work roles including working with individuals, groups and families, community work, advocacy, research, planning and policy development and management and administration. The frameworks for practice embedded in the program are designed to ensure graduates are effective, ethical and innovative thinkers, communicators, problem-solvers, change facilitators and leaders.

There are career opportunities for social workers in government, non-government and private sector agencies with jobs in hospital and community health settings, youth work, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services, child and family welfare, child protection, youth and adult offending, employment and income support, aged care, community development, family support, disability services, services for women, multicultural services and many other social welfare organisations.

Professional recognition

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, particularly in relation to English language proficiency. As these requirements may change from time to time, students should contact the AASW to confirm registration requirements.

Higher education

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 human services, social sciences, behavioural sciences, counselling and psychological sciences.

From Trimester 3-2020: As the number of applicants may exceed the Commonwealth Supported Places available in the program, selection for admission is competitive and will be based upon past academic performance and the relevance of previously completed tertiary studies and work experience. To be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place, applicants are required to submit past academic transcripts and a curriculum vitae. You also have the opportunity to provide additional supporting documentation (personal statement of up to 500 words plus supporting evidence) if you consider that your past GPA was adversely impacted by significant circumstances such as poverty, homelessness, mental or physical ill-health, or family violence. If you are not successful in gaining a Commonwealth Supported Place, you may be eligible for a Fee-Paying Postgraduate place.

English Proficiency Requirements

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 as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.5 and
• English test results must be no more than two years old.

Students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

Applicants should refer to the following University policy for further information:

• Postgraduate Programs Admission Policy

If you do not meet the University's specified English language requirements, you may wish to contact the Griffith English Language Institute to increase your eligibility for entering a Griffith University program. This Institute offers a number of English language and other courses at both its Brisbane and Gold Coast branches:

• Griffith English Language Institute

From Trimester 2 2022:

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

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

Special requirements

There are placements associated with this program and before undertaking professional experience placements, all students in this program are required to have completed the following by the end of their first trimester of study:

• Vaccinations and Health Tests
• Licenses and Certificates
• Online Training
• Health Placement Requirements

Students should refer to the checklist of professional practice requirements for their Health discipline on the Fit for Professional Practice website for full details of the requirements regarding professional placement to ensure that they meet eligibility for placement.

On campus requirements

All students commencing in the Master of Social Work from July 2016 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 in set courses throughout the program:

• 7060HSV Foundations of Social Work Practice (10 days)*
• 7033HSV Interdisciplinary Professional Ethics (5 days) (for students who commenced prior to T2 2021)
• 7002HSV Applied Counselling (5 days) (for students who commence from T2 2021)
• 7063HSV Critical Reflective Practice in Social Work (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).

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 or core courses.

Practicum placement

Work-integrated learning activities (professional placements) integrate theoretical learning with its application in the workplace. The inclusion of work-integrated learning activities in the degree program demonstrates Griffith's commitment to preparing its graduates for success in their working life.

There will be two field placement courses. These field placements are of 500 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 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".

Griffith University grants credit and recognition of prior learning which may relate to prior formal learning or prior informal and non-formal learning. For more information, please visit the following website:

• Credit transfer

Griffith's innovative Credit Precedent Database allows you to find out what credit decisions have been made in the past. These precedents will give you an idea of what you can expect.

• View credit precedents for this program

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). Recognition of Prior Learning will only be awarded in accordance with the requirements of the ASWEAS 2020 Section 10 Recognition of Prior Learning.

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).

Award Requirements

To be eligible for the award of Master of Social Work (MSocW), a student must acquire 180 credit points as prescribed below:

• Generalist Practice pathway:
  • gain 170 credit points for core courses and
  • gain 10 credit points for a listed elective course.
• Dissertation pathway:
  • gain 150 credit points for core courses and
  • gain 30 credit points for the research dissertation courses.

Note: Students can commence in Trimester 2 in the Generalist Practice pathway (in full-time mode) and transfer to the Dissertation pathway when the following eligibility criteria have been successfully met:

• completion of 7060HSV Foundations of Social Work Practice;
• achievement of a GPA of at least 5.5 for all completed courses;
• achievement of a Grade of at least 5 in 7001HSV Foundations of Research Inquiry or equivalent research course;
• the suitability of the proposed dissertation topic;
• the resources available to support the candidature including availability of appropriate supervision.

Degree structure:

https://www.griffith.edu.au/study/degrees/master-of-social-work-5621#degree-details

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 Master of Social Work with 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.