The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) program is designed to prepare knowledgeable, ethical and competent entry-level social work practitioners. Through the integration of theoretical concepts with practical experience, graduates cultivate a nuanced, critical analytical approach to navigate the complexities and diversity of social work practice. This approach equips graduates to effectively respond to the needs of diverse individuals, groups and communities in various practice settings. Critical reflection, rigorous appraisal, empathy and respect for diversity form the foundation of the course. During field placements, students, supervised by qualified social workers, have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in practice creatively. Students receive encouragement and support to actively engage in all aspects of learning and teaching, including participating in practice-based activities within living labs.
As a graduate of the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) Course, you will demonstrate advanced knowledge of theories, practice research and methods for responding to complex social work contexts. You will apply ethical frameworks to specialised practice skills, including communication, assessment, intervention, and evaluation, empowering you to support people facing social and structural injustice. Throughout the program, you will develop a critically reflective and reflexive understanding of social work theory, research and professional practice. You will critically examine assumptions related to psycho-social development across the life cycle. Additionally, you will evaluate the implications of medical and social constructions of disability, chronic illness, trauma and mental health and reconstruct practice approaches that will contribute to health and well-being. Furthermore, you will be able to assess how the broad social, cultural, political, legal, policy, economic, historical and global structures perpetuate inequality and injustice and explore avenues for promoting social change and advocating for marginalised communities.
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 |
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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(Q) |
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 |
To apply for entry to the MSW (Q) course, applicants must satisfy academic and English language requirements.
Academic Entry Requirements:
To be eligible for this course, applicants must have completed a relevant three-year AQF 7 or 8 level degree course that includes at least one year (equivalent to 8 units) of full-time studies in the social and behaviour sciences.
Examples of studies in behavioural science include:
Examples of studies in social sciences include:
English Requirements:
To meet the English language proficiency requirements, applicants are required to provide documentation confirming completion of one of the following qualifications within the last five years, where the language of instruction was English:
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test:
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between the 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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No Residential School for this course.
SOWK28005 - Social Work Field Education 1 is the first work-integrated learning placement comprising 500 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 prerequisites 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 the second work-integrated learning placement comprising 500 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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The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) requires students to complete 12 units, a total of 96 credit points. Each unit is a compulsory unit.