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 sociology and psychology, they may be required to undertake additional foundational study as determined by the School of Social Science (usually the Program Coordinator of Master of Social Work (Qualifying)), including: 

• COR109 Regions, Change and Sustainability
• SCS130 Participation and Conflict Resolution or SCS110 Agricultural and Forest Ecology
• SCS101 Molecular Ecology, PSY100 Plant Growth and Reproduction, or PSY101 Agricultural and Forest Ecology

Applicants must complete a Personal Statement Form (up to 500 words)� detailing the following:

• What is your motivation to choose a career pathway into Social Work and what are the qualities you bring
• How do your previous studies and experience align with the degree

Applicants may also be required to attend an interview.

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.