Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)

Information valid for students commencing in 2014.

Course Code

103804

Version

1

Faculty

Arts, Education and Social Sciences

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites

Completion of an appropriate undergraduate degree, from this or another university; or

Other qualifications recognised by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Sciences as equivalent to the above.

Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements

Students of non English speaking backgrounds must have an adequate English language capacity assessed under the Australian International English Language Testing System (IELTS).  The IELTS score required for admission to this course can be found in Schedule I of the JCU Admissions policy.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

48 credit points as per course structure

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying), graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding of an advanced and integrated body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying values, ethics, theories, research principles and methods, professional practice and workplace contexts in the social work discipline

  • Reflect critically on the unique, complex and contemporary relationships between social work and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and their diverse histories and cultures

  • Reflect critically on the impact of complex social, political and historical issues on environmental and social sustainability in Australia and internationally, with a focus on the tropics

  • Investigate, analyse critically and transform complex social systems, institutions, structures, processes, practices and inequities

  • Consolidate, synthesise, research and evaluate recent developments in social policy and evidence to devise practical and knowledge solutions that reduce social barriers, inequalities and injustice

  • Interpret and communicate, to specialist and non-specialist audiences, theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions in the social work discipline through advanced literacy, numeracy and technological skills

  • Design, plan and execute a substantial research based project

  • Manage service provision and professional practice to engage with and enable individuals, groups and communities to achieve social and environmental justice

  • Apply and adapt expert and specialised professional practice knowledge and skills, autonomously and in collaboration with others, to address social barriers, inequity and injustice across diverse contexts

  • Demonstrate creativity and initiative, and expert judgement and adaptability in engagement, planning, decision-making, problem-solving, provision and evaluation of specialist advice and functions, to achieve practice, organisational, policy and/or system level outcomes

  • Demonstrate high-level responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional development.

Course Structure

Core Subjects

WS2121:03 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Skills and Frameworks for Practice

WS2513:03 Community Work

WS4005:03 Social Inquiry Analysis

WS5005:03 Social Policy Analysis

WS5025:03 Advanced Group Work

WS5027:03 Working in Child and Family Welfare

WS5303:09 Field Education 1

WS5604:09 Field Education 2

WS5603:03 Social Work and Mental Health

WS5516:03 Foundations for Social Work Practice

WS5611:03 Professional Development for Social Work Practice

WS5514:03 Theories for Social Work Practice

Campus

COURSE AVAILABLE AT

NOTES

Cairns

 

Mackay

 

Townsville

 

Candidature

Expected time to complete

2 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Maximum time to complete

5 years

Maximum leave of absence

1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites

Nil

Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)

Yes

Further information about placements can be found at Enrolment Policy – Coursework Students.

Candidates may be required to undertake placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled at their own expense.

Special assessment requirements

Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy.

Accreditation requirements

Nil

Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade

Nil

Supplementary exam for final subject

A candidate who has failed the final subject towards the award and who gained 40% or more of the marks for that subject may be granted a supplementary examination in that subject. However if that subject is required for accreditation, then the criteria specified by that accreditation will apply.

Advanced Standing

Eligibility

Candidates may apply for advanced standing for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Advanced Standing for Previous Studies and Recognised Prior Learning policy associated procedures.

Maximum allowed

15 credit points

Currency

Advanced standing will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.

Expiry

Advanced standing gained for any subject shall be cancelled 10 years after the date of the examination upon which the advanced standing is based if, by then, the candidate has not completed this course.

Other restrictions

 

Award Details

Inclusion of majors on testamur

Not applicable - this course does not have majors

Exit with lesser award

Not applicable

Course articulation

Not applicable