Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Townsville: February, July
- Cairns: February, July
Fees
$30,960.00+
+estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible
Fees currently displayed are indicative only. 2024 fees will be uploaded by October, 2023.
Duration
2 years full-time
Entry Requirements
AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant discipline other than Social Work that includes a minimum of 1 year full-time study in social and behavioural sciences; or equivalent
English language requirements
Band 3c
If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course.
CRICOS Code
070091A
Course detail
Enhance your current qualifications and gain the critical skills to improve the lives of others, working towards creating a just and equitable society. This specialist postgraduate professional qualifying course, recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers is designed to give you valuable opportunities to gain practical professional experience in social work practice and social welfare agencies, both in Australia and overseas.
Acquire valuable hands-on experience working with individuals, families, groups and communities through on-campus classes and/or residential workshops. JCU’s world-class lecturers provide consistent support and regular feedback to help you get the most out of your learning experience.
Students complete a series of essential core subjects, tailored to the unique and complex challenges of individuals, families, groups and communities. Subjects consider global and contemporary Australian issues and international perspectives with those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Work while you study with JCU’s flexible delivery options. You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning for one field education placement if you already have significant social welfare and human services experience.
View the handbook for a detailed overview of subjects.
Additional information
Master’s in Social Work
Do you genuinely care about the well-being of others and want to work in a role where you can make a real difference and contribute to improving the lives of others? Are you a good communicator, resilient to stress, passionate about human rights and willing to take on a challenge? Then you seem like the ideal candidate for a career in social work. Social work is a highly rewarding field where you get to work with people and make a positive difference. It’s challenging but highly rewarding and gives a sense of self-fulfilment, unlike many other jobs. To qualify for this type of role, study for a master’s degree in Social Work at JCU.
Studying at JCU will provide you with excellent opportunities to further your knowledge and will provide you with the key skills you need to succeed in social work. With flexible study options and excellent learning resources the JCU Master of Social Work is qualifying for social work and sets you up for success with real experience.
Study Flexibly
JCU's flexible delivery options make it accessible for more people to study social work and become qualified in the field they’re most passionate about. If you’re wondering how to get a master’s degree in social work in a way that fits your lifestyle and existing commitments, JCU is the answer. You can study in Townsville or Cairns and can choose between studying full-time or part-time, which allows you to work while studying or fit your master’s degree around other existing commitments. Those with significant experience in social welfare or human services can be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning to replace one field education placement.
Set Yourself Up for Success
The JCU master’s in Social Work is professional qualifying and recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers. Students receive top-quality teaching and access to excellent learning resources and work placements to ensure they graduate fully equipped to take on the world of social work. Graduates are highly employable and find work in government and non-government organisations in Australia and abroad. You can find yourself working in settings like hospitals, community health services, mental health services, child protection services and more. You could work in roles that include case worker, community work and development roles, social policy, research or advocacy. With the broad skillset and extensive experience gained during your studies, you can work in an area of social work you feel most passionately about and open up the doors to endless employment opportunities.
Study a Master's Degree in Social Work at JCU & Learn Through Experience
There is no substitute for experience. Students of the master’s in Social Work at JCU complete 1000 hours of placements during their studies, gaining invaluable real-life work experience in a range of relevant settings both in Australia and other countries. Apart from classes and workshops with world-class teachers, you will get practical experience working with individuals, families and communities which will set you apart to employers after graduation.
Make a difference where it matters and provide yourself with the experience you need for success by choosing JCU when you want to study for a master’s in Social Work in Queensland.
Hide additional information
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying).
Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) graduates are highly employable and make a difference in a variety of settings.
You could pursue a career as a social worker in government and non-government organisations throughout Australia or internationally.
Graduates find employment in areas like hospital and community health services, mental health services, child protection services, youth and family services.
You could work in a range of occupations, such as case work with individuals and families, community work and development roles, or social policy, research and advocacy roles.
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
WS5517:06 Foundations for Social Work Practice
WS4503:03 Social Work and Mental Health
WS2121:03 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Skills and Frameworks for Practice
WS4514:03 Advanced Social Work Theory
WS5304:06 Field Education 1
WS3027:03 Working with Children and Families
WS5103:03 Community Development
WS5005:03 Social Policy Analysis
WS5020:03 Advanced Research Methods
WS5021:03 Advanced Contemporary Practice
WS5611:03 Professional Development for Social Work Practice
WS5605:09 Advanced Social Work Practicum
Location
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Cairns | Mixed-mode Attendance JCU Cairns-based and External students who commence mid-year will be required to travel to JCU Townsville twice during their first Study Period to attend compulsory workshops, as described in the Post Admission Requirements. |
JCU Townsville | Mixed-mode Attendance |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
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 Coursework Enrolment Procedure. Students 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. |
Professional accreditation requirements | Nil |
Supplementary exam for final subject | A student 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. |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for a credit transfer for previous tertiary study or informal and non-formal learning in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure |
Maximum allowed | 24 credit points* for students applying for credit from another AASW accredited Masters AQF level 9 program. 12 credit points* for students entering from an AQF 7, three year social welfare program. |
Currency | Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course. |
Expiry | Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 15 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course. |
Other restrictions | Nil |
Award Details
Award title | MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK (PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING) |
Approved abbreviation | MSW(PQ) |
Inclusion of majors on testamur | Not applicable - this course does not have majors |
Exit with lesser award | Not applicable |
Course articulation | Not applicable |
Special awards | Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure |
Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD30,960.00
Course fees are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.
A Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.
Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependents accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.
Consult the admission requirements section in the Handbook for prerequisites and pathways into this course.
Applicants must hold a recognised and appropriate undergraduate degree, or equivalent prior learning, including appropriate professional experience.
Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3c – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.
If you meet the academic requirements for a course, but not the minimum English requirements, you will be issued a JCU degree offer conditional upon achieving the required scores in an approved English test. You can undertake an English program at JCU to improve your skills prior to sitting your English test. If you are interested in doing this please contact enquiries@jcu.edu.au.
Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.
Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.
Real stories
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Student
Chandandeep Chirag Patel
Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)
We don’t only study what’s written in the book. They invite guest lecturers from the profession, from the field itself, so it gives us knowledge of what is going on currently in the market. The entire course curriculum is outstanding and that’s the reason I’m here.
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Alumni
Valarie Derwent
Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)
The wealth and depth of knowledge I gained through the Master of Social Work, in addition to being able to grow personally and professionally, has been amazing. I am now a school counsellor – a role not easily attained by Social Workers – but through this course, my dream became a reality.
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Lecturer
Associate Professor Abraham Francis
Head, Social Work
JCU Social Work is grounded on the principles of social justice and human rights. We welcome our students to be connected to the grassroots realities around them. We need competent, confident, and compassionate social workers and human service professionals in the field, and we inspire our students to be change agents.
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Employer
Ross Murray
North Queensland President, Australian Association of Social Workers
Employing and working alongside JCU Social Work graduates has been a seamless process of securing well trained and supported graduates. The standout attributes we have observed with graduates in our workplace is the level of preparedness and readiness to provide productive clinical services on start of employment.