The Master of Social Work by Research is designed for students who want to develop their professional standing in the expanding and challenging field of professional social work. It will particularly benefit those who have an undergraduate degree in Social Work, have worked in the industry for some time, and are wishing to gain a higher degree through undertaking practice-based research.
The program offers opportunities to deepen your knowledge and understanding of social work practice and can be tailored to suit your individual interests. You complete one required research course and a thesis. The research component involves individualised research relevant to your key area/s of interest as a professional social worker.
The program offers opportunities to deepen your knowledge and understanding of social work practice and can be tailored to suit your individual interests. You complete one required research course and a thesis. The research component involves individualised research relevant to your key area/s of interest as a professional social worker.
You may enrol at the start of any semester. You attend lectures and tutorials with other research students. And the learning and assessment tasks are commensurate with your postgraduate standing. Research components of the program must be approved by the program coordinator and based on the availability of supervisory staff with relevant expertise.
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission to Master of Social Work by Research candidature, applicants must have completed a professional qualification in social work, duly accredited or recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Entry by non-graduates who have relevant governmental or industry experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Arts and Business.
In exceptional cases applications may be considered on the basis of other evidence of general and professional qualifications as approved by the Research Degrees Committee.
Refer to the University’s English language requirements.
Advanced standing
No advanced standing will be granted to students with an undergraduate qualification.
Enquiries
Faculty of Arts and Business
Associate Professor Christian Jones, Associate Dean (Research)
Tel: +61 7 5459 4849
Fax: +61 7 5430 2880
Email: FABResearch@usc.edu.au
Office of Research
Research Training Administrator
Tel: +61 7 5459 5890
Fax: +61 7 5459 4527
Email: researchtraining@usc.edu.au
Program structure
Program structure
During candidature you must complete one course, CMN575(24 units), and compile a thesis of 30,000–35,000 words (120 units).
You are required to conduct research that can be written up as a scholarly thesis. You must demonstrate research competency and the ability to make a significant and original contribution to the body of knowledge in your chosen area of specialisation.
As a candidate you must clearly articulate in your research outline, the topic, background, rationale, research question, aim and objectives, methodology, research methods and techniques, and timeframe. Your research outline is to include a literature review that relates to the research question and objectives.
The results of your research activities should be presented succinctly and accurately and as necessary could be supported by more detailed annexures.
Your syntheses analysis and discussion must clearly focus on the research question and the objectives of the work.
Conclusions and recommendations must be drawn from your analysis and discussion and reflect the attainment of the aim and the way in which the research question is addressed.
Program requirements and notes
- Prospective applicants wishing to undertake a Master of Social Work will need to find a suitable supervisor by contacting the Faculty of Arts and Business.
- Students are required to successfully complete one 24-unit course and a thesis as specified in the Master of Social Work program structure.
- For further information, refer to the Research Master Degrees - Academic Policy.
- Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
- Refer to the research areas for the Faculty of Arts and Business.
- Refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- Not available to international students on a Student Visa.
Enrolment and fees
- Domestic candidates: Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are not required to pay tuition fees for the standard duration of their HDR program. The Australian Government's Research Training Scheme (RTS) covers the cost of HDR tuition fees for these candidates. Research Master candidates are entitled to a maximum of two years full-time equivalent study. Candidates who do not complete their degree within the maximum RTS allowable completion times may be required to pay fees for any additional periods of enrolment. Please refer to Higher Degree by Research fees.
- International candidates: tuition fees apply. Refer to International HDR tuition fees.
- In any semester, full-time enrolment comprises 0.500 EFTSL.*
- In any semester, part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL.*
- The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date.
* EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL.