Master of Social Work (Qualifying) Online

Master of Social Work Student

Course highlights

Developed to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) governed by the Australian Association of Social Work (AASW)
Professional and globally recognised Master of Social Work degree so you can work within Australia or internationally
Learn from social work practitioners who are actively involved in the industry
Immediately apply your learnings into practice through field education placements
Experience dedicated support at every stage
Start anytime and study social work online – intakes are open every 2 months

Overview

The online Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is a professionally and globally recognised degree governed by the AASW and is designed for those wanting to move into social work practice and become a professional social worker.

This accessible, flexible and accelerated course provides students with the specialised knowledge, skills and experience to meet the complex and evolving needs of people, communities and the environments in which they live.

By learning through case scenarios, simulated settings and in-person intensive components, you will be able to immediately apply your learnings from the online Master of Social Work (Qualifying) to practice across a diverse range of fields and community settings.

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QUICK FACTS

6 coursework units + 4 intensive units | 7 weeks each | 1 study block each
2 field education placement units | up to 24 weeks each | 3 study blocks each
32-36 months part-time*
Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Oct
$3,400 per coursework and intensive unit^, $10,200 per field education placement unit^

FEE-HELP available

*Dependent on individual study path and unit availability. Please speak to a Student Adviser for more information. ^2025 indicative fees are listed here. Find out more on our Fees page.

The University of Canberra is an ambitious university for ambitious people.

The University takes pride in designing online courses that are practical, supported and accelerated. Our courses are truly flexible and inclusive, ensuring you are connected to an inspiring community of teachers and learners anywhere, anytime.

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#1 in Canberra for overall experience (Postgraduate), teaching quality (Postgraduate), skills development and student support ¹

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The University of Canberra is in the top 28% of universities in the world.²

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¹Good University Guide 2024
²QS, 2024

Graduate Certificate

Description of the Course + 4 Number of units or continue studying

Graduate Diploma

All units from the Graduate Certificate + 4 Diploma units or continue studying

Master of Health Services Management

All subjects from the Graduate Certificate + 8 subjects from the Master of Health Services Management

What you will study

Flexible Online Coursework: Access 100% online coursework units, each completed within a single study block.

In-Person Intensive Components: Engage in online intensive units with mandatory one-week, in-person components. The first is held at the UC campus in Canberra. Subsequent intensive components will be held at the UC Canberra and may be held in other locations nationally. Your first unit excludes in-person requirements.

Field Education Placements: Complete a maximum of 1000 hours across two field education placement units, complemented by 28 hours of integrated seminars. Each placement unit spans up to 24 weeks over three consecutive study blocks.

Coursework units
Intensive units
Field education placement units

Social Work in Global, Regional and Local Contexts
Working with Diverse Communities
Psychological Health across the Lifecycle
Ethical and Legal Contexts of Social Work Practice
Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice
Policy Development, Leadership and Organisational Practice

Theoretical Approaches to Social Work Practice
Trauma Informed Social Work Practice
Working with Families, Children and Young People
Groupwork Practice in Social Work

Field Education Placement 1
Field Education Placement 2

Field Education Placement Units

Field education placements are pivotal, providing real-world application of theoretical knowledge, essential for well-rounded professional growth.

Total Duration

1000 supervised hours including 28 hours of integrative seminars (14 hours in each field education unit)
Two distinct fields, two different organisations

Structure

Field Education 1 (500 hours)
Field Education 2 (500 hours)
Each Field Education Unit completed over three consecutive study blocks

Working Hours

Full-time, 3-4 days/week (usually Monday to Friday)
No leave arrangements

Jan

2024

Mar

2024

May

2024

Jul

2024

Aug

2024

Oct

2024

Taught by experts in social work practice

Dr Lynne Keevers

Discipline Lead Social Work, the University of Canberra

“With the professional practice skills and knowledge you’ll develop in the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) at UC, doors will open to a wide variety of career opportunities. You may work in mental health, community development, child protection or social policy. You could be running groups with survivors of sexual abuse and violence, with young people, or people struggling with addiction. Or you could be working with communities to make a difference in issues such as domestic violence, youth homelessness, racism or climate change.”

Dr Amelia Wheeler

Senior Lecturer in Social Work, the University of Canberra

Dr Amelia Wheeler (she/her) is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Canberra. Amelia has been a social work educator for 12 years and is passionate about creating inclusive and socially just spaces for learning.

Her current research, primarily undertaken in partnership with organisations and practitioners, explores best practices in areas across gender-based violence, children and young peoples’ participation in welfare services, anti-racist social work and ethics in everyday professional life.

Before entering academia, Amelia worked in the fields of child welfare, Out Of Home Care, domestic and family violence and family law.

To be eligible for the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), applicants must have:

An Australian bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or higher-level qualification in a related field from a recognised tertiary institution
Completed at least one year of full-time study, or equivalent, at a minimum of AQF Level 7 in social sciences and human behaviour.

Examples of related areas of study include:

Psychology, research, and policy studies
Allied health, including midwifery, occupational therapy, nursing, audiology, health promotion, physiotherapy, and pharmacy
Counselling and therapeutic studies including play therapy, rehabilitation, drug and alcohol work, counselling, art therapy, music therapy, and disability and inclusion
Clinical areas such as child development, medicine, emergency services, and working with older people
Education and teaching
Indigenous studies, culture and human diversity, media, gender studies, social theory and population studies
Human resource management and marketing studies, including diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, leadership and coaching, managing people and change management, negotiation, regulations and ethics.
Community services, human services, social welfare and youth work

English language

There are non-standard English language requirements for this course.
To be eligible you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0.
For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English language requirements for the course, please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Applicants who have completed a three-year Bachelor of Social Welfare or Bachelor of Community Services and have a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience may be eligible to receive credit for up to 25% of the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), which is the equivalent of four units. Recognition of Prior Learning applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the course convener.

Career outcomes

UC’s online Master of Social Work (Qualifying) will prepare you for a fulfilling career in social work. Whether you’re pursuing a career in healthcare, aged care, community services, research, or policy and planning, the MSWQ will provide you with the skills to work across a diverse range of community settings. The career outcomes include, but are not limited to:

Social worker
Case manager
Family support worker
Community worker
Engagement officer
Policy advisor
Youth worker

Master of Social Work (Qualifying) Online

Download a brochure

Speak to an Enrolment Adviser

Why study the online Master of Social Work (Qualifying) at UC?

Future-focused skills relevant to practice

Immersive and experiential practice

Exceptional support with personalised guidance

Course highlights

Overview

The University of Canberra is an ambitious university for ambitious people.

Master of Social Work (Qualifying) Course structure

What you will study

Field Education Placement Units

Upcoming intakes

Taught by experts in social work practice

Entry requirements

Career outcomes

AASW Accredited

Fee assistance

Ready to start learning?