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 commencement is available as part-time only (please see the study sequence for further details). Semester 2 commencement is not available to international students on a Student Visa
- 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 commencement is available as part-time only (please see the study sequence for further details). Semester 2 commencement is not available to international students on a Student Visa
- 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 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 Communication and Thought
- SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia or SCS110 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
- SCS101 Foundations of Human Behaviour, PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A, or PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
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.
Program structure
Required courses (12) 192 units
SCS701 Engaging Effectively with Aboriginal People
SCS725 Advanced Social Research
SCS730 Critical Social Theory: Power, Critique and Praxis
SCS790 Engaging effectively with culturally diverse people
SWK700 Master of Social Work Field Education 1(36 units)
SWK701 Master of Social Work Field Education 2(36 units)
SWK702 Collective Critical Practice: Developmental Approaches
SWK707 Ethical Social Work Practice in Complex Contexts
SWK710 Advocacy and Leadership in Social Policy Contexts
SWK766 Mental Health and Social Work
SWK777 Children, Youth and Families: Challenges, Critique and Change
SWK785 Social Work in Health and Mental Health
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 192
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 192 units as outlined in the Program Structure
Requirements for field education
To complete this program you must successfully complete field education (ie SWK700 Master of Social Work Field Education 1 and SWK701 Master of Social Work Field Education 2) 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.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Prior to entry into the program applicants will be required to submit their current Blue Card.
- Refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.