The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) aims to graduate knowledgeable, ethical and competent entry-level practitioners through the integration of the theoretical and practice skills necessary for professional practice. You will be required to demonstrate a nuanced and analytical approach to the knowledge-base, empirical research and practice contexts, required for social work practice. Critical thinking, rigorous appraisal and respect for diversity form the bedrock of the course. You will be expected to apply this knowledge and skills- base, particularly when on field education placement, with creativity and initiative. You will be encouraged and supported to participate in all learning and teaching, and practice-based activities, all of which are underpinned by research-informed pedagogy.
As a graduate of the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) Course, you will demonstrate advanced knowledge of the theories, empirical research and practice methods in complex social work contexts. Also, you will translate ethical frameworks to specialised practice skills (e.g., communication, assessment, intervention and evaluation) in order to support people facing social and structural injustice.You will develop a critically reflective and reflexive appraisal of social work theory, research and professional practice. You will critique the linear assumptions of psycho-social development across the life-cycle, and evaluate the implications of environment on health and well-being. You will be able to assess the broad social, cultural, political, legal, policy, economic, historical and global context of practice. You will examine ways in which organisational, socio-cultural and political structures perpetuate structural inequality and injustice. You will compare and contrast medical and social constructions of disability, chronic illness, trauma and mental health and reconstruct practice approaches.
You will demonstrate the ability to integrate this knowledge and translate to complex practice contexts. You will acquire a set of flexible, and transferable, skills that will enable you to adapt effectively to the needs of diverse individuals, groups and communities, in multiple practice settings and geographical locations.
Graduates of the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) will develop a range of high-level theoretical knowledge and practice skills. These will enable you to develop strategies necessary for working with social injustice and promoting social change. All graduates will be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
A social work qualification provides a wide range of employment opportunities across diverse fields of practice. Many of these will involve social workers assisting client groups to achieve social inclusion, supporting people to achieve a better quality of life and facilitate individual and community well-being. Graduates have the opportunity to practice in a large number of human services across every state and territory as well as internationally. The most prominent sectors in which social workers are found are in health, government administration, child protection, youth justice, prisons, disability, aged care, mental health, and working with people from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background. Social workers are employed at federal, state and local levels of government. Non-government agencies in the community sector are also large employers of social work graduates where the work can include counselling, case-management, early intervention strategies with families at risk, advocacy, mediation and community development. Agencies include Relationships Australia, Anglicare, Baptist Care, Red Cross, Women's Health and many others. A growing trend for social workers with several years experience is moving into private practice focusing on the mental health issues experienced by their clients.
Duration | 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 96 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Postgraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | MSocWk(Qual) |
AQF Level | Level 9: Masters Degree (Coursework) |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2025
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
Not Applicable |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Entry Requirements:
To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must have completed an Australian Bachelor degree (AQF level 7 or 8), or equivalent qualification, from a recognised tertiary institution in a relevant discipline other than an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) recognised social work degree.
A relevant discipline Bachelor must contain at least one year, or the equivalent, of full-time studies in social and behavioural sciences.
English Requirements:
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:
If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
Each student will be assessed individually.
All field education contexts will require relevant state based working with children clearances. State based criminal background checks and Federal police checks are required. Where issues emerge with these checks the Head of Course will implement a formal process of internal and/or external ethical consideration.
There are a series of mandatory checks that can differ slightly from State to State. For example, Queensland students have the most comprehensive list and the following is required (If they have a placement at Queensland Health some additional checks are required):.:
Mandatory Checks:
Immunisation and Serology
Hepatitis A This item may take up to 6 months to complete
Hepatitis B This item may take up to 7 months to complete
Influenza Annual vaccination
Tuberculosis Long waiting periods may apply, allow adequate time
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccinations take up to 1 month to complete
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Renewed every 10 years
Varicella (Chicken Pox) Vaccinations take up to 1 month to complete
Security Checks
Working With Children This item may take over 28 business days to complete
Australian Federal Police Check This item may take over 28 business days to complete
CPR and First Aid
CPR Allow adequate time to book/obtain your certificate
First Aid Allow adequate time to book/obtain your certificate
State Health Documents
Qld Health Deed Poll
Qld Health Orientation Checklist
CQUniversity Documents
CQUniversity Student Declaration
CQUniversity Student ID Renewed every 3 years
Driver's Licence
Students with knowledge of the behavioural and social sciences will be well prepared for undertaking the Master of Social Work (Qualifying).
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | Not applicable |
Accreditation |
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Compulsory Residential School | Two first year compulsory residential schools each of 5 days duration will be held at the Noosa Campus in 2021. In 2022 with both first and second year being taught there will be four 5 day residential schools held at Noosa. Two will be offered at Rockhampton in 2022 and four will be there in 2023. As part of the requirements of AASW accreditation it is a requirement to undertake 20 days of face-to-face contact with staff, The residential units are: Year 1 Term 1: N5397 Professional Communication and Interviewing Skills Year 1 Term 2: N5373 Ethical and Legal Issues in Practice Year 2 Term 1: N5415 Working with Groups and Communities Year 2 Term 2: N5429 Social Work Theory and Practice |
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Click here to view all Residential Schools |
SOWK28005 - This is the first work integrated learning placement. It is a 13 week placement (440 hours) . The placement occurs in an agency approved by the University Field Education Coordinators and requires supervision from a qualified social worker. Field education may be organised in metropolitan, urban, regional, rural and remote areas. Students must complete all units in accordance with the pre-requisites, and undertake a successful interview with the Field Education Coordinator to determine placement readiness. Students must meet the inherent requirements for the course and successfully complete all necessary administrative/screening and legal obligations to undertake placement in organisational settings. |
SOWK29007 - Social Work Field Education 2 is 16 weeks duration (560 hours). The placement occurs in an agency approved by the University Field Education Coordinators and requires supervision from a qualified social worker. Field education may be organised in metropolitan, urban, regional, rural and remote areas. Students must complete all units in accordance with the pre-requisites, and undertake a successful interview with the Field Education Coordinator to determine placement readiness. Students must meet the inherent requirements for the course and successfully complete all necessary administrative/screening and legal obligations to undertake placement in organisational settings. |
Year | Number of Students |
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First Year | 25 |
Second year | 40 |
Third Year | 60 |
Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice | ||||||||
2. KNOWLEDGE Have an understanding of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning | ||||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship | ||||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice | ||||||||
5. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level | ||||||||
6. SKILLS Have communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences | ||||||||
7. SKILLS Have technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship | ||||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning | ||||||||
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use high level personal autonomy and accountability | ||||||||
10 APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship. | ||||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Communicate, interact and collaborate with others effectively in culturally or linguistically diverse contexts in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 12 | Total credit points: 96 |
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This course is unavailable to students who have completed an undergraduate or Master degree in social work.
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) requires students to complete 12 units adding up to 96 credit points. Each unit is a compulsory unit.