Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)Information for students commencing 2013

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About this Course

This new postgraduate degree is an innovative course based on a problem-based learning paradigm. The course enables students to gain the skills, knowledge and values to be strategic, ethical and reflective social work practitioners in a wide range of organisational settings, including working with individuals, groups and communities.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this degree will qualify as social workers in Australia. Graduates may also be eligible to apply to work as social workers overseas.

Graduates will be suited to employment in a wide range of jobs in the health and community services sectors. These include positions that are designated solely for social work-qualified staff (e.g. in hospitals), as well as other human services jobs that are open to other graduates. Graduates may be employed in organisations such as Centrelink, public and private hospitals, child protection agencies, Australian Defence Force, domestic violence services, housing and homelessness agencies, aged care and disability services, mental health agencies, family counselling agencies, rehabilitation services, and private practice.

Professional Recognition

This is an AASW-accredited qualification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

Professional Placement

In line with the Australian Association of Social Workers requirements, students will be required to undertake 1000 hours of supervised practice. All students, studying on-campus or by distance education, are required to attend two field education placements. These placements are completed in two separate organisations in different fields of practice so that students gain a diversity of experience.

Social Work Field Placement I involves 400 hours (57 days) across sessions 2 and 3 of the first year (of full-time study), with a minimum of three days per week spent on placement. Social Work Field Placement II involves 600 hours (86 days) across sessions 2 and 3 of the second year (of full-time study), also with a minimum of three days per week spent on placement. These time commitments apply to both full-time and part-time students.

Major Areas of Study

The course includes core content in child protection, cross-cultural practice, mental health work, and work with people from Indigenous communities. It covers essential theories and methods of social work practice including effective practice in working with individuals, groups and communities. Students are also exposed to key knowledge in using social policy and the law to advance the rights of clients and community members.

Course Structure and Units (Subjects)

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

To qualify for the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) a total of 192 credit points (usually 16 units) must be completed.

Please note that some units may not be available at each location. Unit availabilities are published for each study period and vary from year to year. Please contact the School for further information.

For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.

Course Summary

Locations	Distance education students are required to attend two five-day residential schools to be held at the Gold Coast campus.
Distance Education	Session 1
Lismore	Unavailable
Coffs Harbour	Unavailable
Gold Coast Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga	Session 1
Course Duration	2 years full-time; 4 years part-time
Fees and Charges	• Domestic fees (Commonwealth supported places are available) • International fees • Additional fee information
School	School of Arts and Social Sciences
Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries	scu.edu.au/enquiries
Further Information	Ph: 1800 626 481

Total Units:	Award Abbreviation:	2013 ATAR equivalent/OP:
16	MSW(ProfQual)	N/A
UAC Course Code	QTAC Course Code	CRICOS Course Code
N/A	N/A	Gold Coast, QLD: 078417G

Teaching Methods

All students need to have access to high speed broadband in order to complete the online activities, which are a core part of this course.

On-campus students have unlimited internet and email access and can connect to the University’s library catalogues, online full-text journal databases and online book and article request service. Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, workshops, online discussion forums, and online problem-based learning material.

The distance education study option for this course is interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students have contact with tutors, access to online problem-based learning material, study guides, online discussion forums and access to all library services.

Residential schools: Distance education students are required to attend two five-day residential schools to be held at the Gold Coast campus.

Learning Resources

MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and books of readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The SCU library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.

Assessment Methods

Assessment items may include essays, research reports, case analysis, assessment of competence on field placement, and DVD recording of interviewing skills. Students will develop an ePortfolio, drawing on assessment items to evidence practice competence and their own framework for practice.

Equipment and Facilities

General campus resources are available including access to computer laboratories for individual study purposes. Access to DVD recording facilities will be made available to on-campus students during classes and for distance education students during residential schools.

How to Apply

Direct Applications

Apply Online

The following applications to study can be made online, directly to SCU:

• Undergraduate courses by distance education and all honours courses
• All postgraduate by coursework courses
• Higher degrees by research

Online applications for the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) involve four key steps:

1. Register your details to create an account or login to access your applications
2. Select the exact course you want to apply for
3. Answer the questions and submit documents
4. Submit your application

Once registered you can exit and return to your application at any time.

International Applicants

Please refer to the International Office website.

International Applicants

Advanced Standing

At Southern Cross University, your previous study or work experience may help you cut time off your degree.

• Recognition of Previous Study
  Advanced standing may be granted to a student for tertiary studies successfully completed within the last ten years at this university or at another approved post secondary institution including TAFE, private providers or other universities.
• Recognition of Professional Experience
  Advanced standing may be granted on the basis of current professional-level experience, skills or expertise that are deemed to be equivalent to Southern Cross University units available in this course.

We recommend that you apply for advance standing at the same time as you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.

For more details and how to apply please visit the Advanced Standing website.

Specific Award Rules

Schedule of Units

* Double-weighted units.