Rise, and create a more socially just world.
This program is an academically advanced 2-year post-qualifying degree that builds on the prior knowledge and experiences that students bring to their studies. Our professionally accredited program develops critically reflective and analytical practitioners, equipping them with innovative knowledge and skills to undertake social action, counselling, community development, policy analysis and development, advocacy and research to work with people individually and collectively for change.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- # Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement study plan is valid for 2015 only and is subject to change for future students. Students that commence in Semester 2 (mid-year) study part-time in their first semester (please see the study plan tab for further details).
- Note: The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) offers a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Please see the Admission Requirements tab for further details.
- # Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement study plan is valid for 2015 only and is subject to change for future students. Students that commence in Semester 2 (mid-year) study part-time in their first semester (please see the study plan tab for further details).
- Note: The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) offers a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Please see the Admission Requirements tab for further details.
This program is an academically advanced 2-year post-qualifying degree that builds on the prior knowledge and experiences that students bring to their studies. Our professionally accredited program develops critically reflective and analytical practitioners, equipping them with innovative knowledge and skills to undertake social action, counselling, community development, policy analysis and development, advocacy and research to work with people individually and collectively for change.
Students complete two field education placements (1000 hours in total), enabling integration of classroom learning with practical workplace experience in a huge range of fields including: health and mental health, child protection, disability, substance abuse, family violence, homelessness, working with young people, families, the elderly, refugees and Indigenous communities. Employment opportunities are extremely diverse in both government and community settings.
The degree also provides a pathway to become a Medicare rebated, mental health accredited practitioner through the AASW for graduates who want to pursue a career in private practice.
Career opportunities
This program opens up jobs in social work, aged care, health services, youth work, and as a counsellor. You can use your Master’s degree to advance your existing career, too. Employment opportunities as a social worker or counsellor are in demand in government organisations, community agencies, and private practice in Australia and overseas.
Accreditation
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is fully accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Professional recognition
Graduates will be eligible for membership to the AASW and to practice as professional social workers. Membership to the AASW enables you to apply to become a mental health accredited practitioner, which attracts a Medicare rebate for private practitioners.
† Fully accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
# Blue Cards are issued by the Public Safety Business Agency. More information on Blue Cards, and how to apply.
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission:
- Applicants must hold a relevant 3-year Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) that includes the equivalent of at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences (studies of the individual and society). This is the minimum entry requirement as set out by the ASWEAS guidelines (2012).
- If an applicant's prior degree has not specifically addressed social work, sociology and psychology, they may be required to undertake additional foundational study as determined by the Faculty of Arts and Business (usually the Program Coordinator of Master of Social Work (Qualifying)), including:
- Applicants may also be required to attend an interview
- Please refer to the English language requirements
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) offers a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) as well as domestic fee paying places. Offers for both CSP and fee paying places will be made after the application due date for the program.
CSP will be allocated on the basis of your Grade Point Average in the degree used to meet admission requirements. In cases where a potential student has undertaken recommended additional courses in order to gain entry to the degree (as per details on the USC website), GPA in these additional courses will be used as the basis for entry using the same entry cut-off applied to other CSP entrants during that admission period. Applicants falling below the demand-driven cut-off for a CSP may be offered a domestic fee paying place (with the option to access FEE-HELP) subject to capacity limitations. USC reserves the right to offer a small number of CSP to students from ATSIC or disadvantaged backgrounds.
Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and permanent visa holders enrolled in a fee paying place will have the option of applying for a CSP in subsequent semesters if one becomes available. In these cases, the student’s current GPA in the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) will be used to assess eligibility for a CSP place using the same entry cut-off applied for new CPS entrants during that admission period.
Program structure
Required courses (12)
SCS701 Geographic Information Science and Technology
SCS725 Systems Analysis and Design
SCS730 Database Design
SCS790 Engineering Project Management
SWK702 Database Programming
SWK707 ICT Industry Project
SWK710 ICT Professional Practice
SWK766 Device & Network Security
SWK777 Introduction to Creative Entrepreneurship
SWK785 Communication and Thought
SWK700 Visual Storytelling #
SWK701 Creativity, Design and Communication Project #
# SWK700 Social Work and Human Services Practice and SWK701 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change are equivalent to 36 units each
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
- Students must successfully complete 192 units as specified in the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) program structure.
- Prior to entry into the program applicants will be required to submit their current Blue Card.
- Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
- Refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Requirements for field education
To complete this program you must successfully complete field education (ie SWK700 Introduction to Psychology A and SWK701 Introduction to Psychology B) for which you are required to obtain a Blue Card (issued by the Public Safety Business Agency).
Your enrolment in field education will be conditional upon the following:
- your eligibility for a Blue Card at the time of the first enrolment in the program
- maintenance of that eligibility throughout the entire of the program
- acquisition of a Blue Card prior to commencement of field education.
In the event that you become ineligible for a Blue Card, at any time between the date of first enrolment and the date of completion of the program, you will not be able to complete the program.
Please note, while all effort will be made to place students in a given semester, this is not guaranteed and students may need to enrol at a later time should a position in an agency be unavailable in the preferred semester.
Field education includes professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake these placements away from the campus at their own expense.