Master of Social Work

Create positive change in people's lives through an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) accredited qualification. Through online study and practical placements, you’ll build knowledge in social work theory, policy and practice, equipping you with the skills to support individuals, families, groups and communities across diverse settings.

You'll develop the knowledge and skills to:

1. Apply social work theory and practice: draw on contemporary approaches to support people experiencing complex social challenges.
2. Advocate for social justice and human rights: promote equity, inclusion and access to services for individuals and communities.
3. Navigate policy and legal frameworks: understand how social policy, legislation and systems influence professional practice.
4. Work effectively with diverse communities: engage respectfully with people from different cultural backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
5. Apply ethical and reflective practice: make informed professional decisions guided by social work values and ethical principles.
6. Collaborate across professions and services: work alongside clients, communities and interdisciplinary teams to improve outcomes.

The Master of Social Work is a professional qualifying degree designed for those seeking to become social workers. Building on your existing knowledge and life experience, you'll develop advanced understanding of social work theory, research, policy and practice while gaining the skills required to support individuals, families, groups and communities.

You'll explore social work practice, counselling, human rights, social justice, leadership, ethics, law and policy, developing the professional capabilities needed to respond to complex social issues across a range of settings.

Gain valuable hands-on experience through field education

A core feature of the degree is extensive practice-based learning through two field placements. Guided by qualified social work supervisors, you'll complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of placement within human service organisations, applying your learning in real environments and developing your professional confidence.

Throughout your placements, you'll progressively build the skills, knowledge and professional judgement required for effective social work practice while gaining insight into the realities of working within the social and human services sector.

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).

Compulsory Trimester 3

Each intake of this program includes compulsory study in Trimester 3 in Year 1 and Year 2.

Students who commence in Trimester 3 and are receiving income support should plan their enrolment to ensure they meet study requirements in the standard Trimester 1 and 2.

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.

Award requirements

For the award of Master of Social Work (MSocW), you must successfully Complete 160 credit points comprising:

• 160 credit points for all 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 5758 - Master of Social Work with the 3397 - Graduate Certificate in Social Care you must successfully complete 7060HSV - Foundations of Social Work Practice and 20 credit points from prescribed courses.

To be eligible to exit the 5758 - Master of Social Work with the 4208 - Graduate Diploma of Social Care you must successfully complete 7060HSV - Foundations of Social Work Practice and 60 credit points from prescribed courses.

To exit, you should apply for a program transfer.

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

Indicative total fee $21,600

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.

Learn more about Griffith University

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

To be eligible for this program you must meet the following criteria:

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a relevant discipline which includes at least one year (or equivalent) of full-time studies in social and behavioural sciences

Relevant discipline includes 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 science, 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 Admission Procedure and English Language Proficiency Schedule for further information:

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 Standard 7: Admissions, credit decisions and degree requirements of the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) 2024. Recognition of Prior Learning will only be awarded in accordance with Standard 4: Practice education of the ASWEAS 2024.

Commonwealth Prac Payment

The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) is available to eligible domestic nursing, midwifery, social work and teaching students, to help manage costs while on mandatory 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 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".

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 Health Placement Support Hub for full details of the requirements regarding professional placement to ensure that they meet eligibility for placement.

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).