Social work is an academic, practice-based profession that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people (AASW Practice Standards 2013). Consistent with this statement, upon completing the course, you will be equipped with a sound knowledge of the underlying principles, concepts, and critical skills in social work as well as demonstrated capabilities in critical thinking, ethical and reflective practice, and continuous professional development. The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) will incorporate theoretical content that builds on knowledge acquired in previous higher education.
In line with the accreditation standards set out by the AASW (ASWEAS 2021), the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) course will prepare you with the requisite theoretical knowledge, skills, and ethical framework for social work practice within diverse client systems across various practice contexts. This two-year course will encompass required AASW (ASWEAS 2021) core curriculum content on constructions of social work purpose, place, and practice; power, oppression, and exploitation; culture, identity, and discrimination; psychosocial health and wellbeing across the life course; and working with First Nations people including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. The course will focus on assisting individuals, groups, and communities at the personal and structural levels to bring about positive social change. In keeping with this dual focus, the contemporary curriculum is ensconced within a human rights and social justice framework and the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) will develop your knowledge about a wide range of fields and methods of social work practice, including direct practice, social policy and research, group work, community development, management, and leadership, while at the same time situating this knowledge to take into account local, national, international, and global trends.
You will be encultured into the profession of social work through an integrated curriculum that merges direct practice with leadership and advocacy social work roles within a contemporary and transformative approach to practice and social change. Field education through placements will contribute to opportunities for experiential learning, application, and development of theoretical knowledge and understanding across a variety of workplace settings where social work takes place. Experiential learning via classroom activities, online activities, and field practicums will assist you in linking theory to practice and applying learning to practice.
Qualifications for this award will require successful completion of 96 credit points including the units listed in recommended sequence below comprising 14 core units.
Core units
MSWFE401 Field Education Preparation 1
MSWSW401 Becoming a Social Worker
MSWTP401 Social Work Theory & Practice 1
MSWCU401 Working with First Nations People (Online)
MSWSTP402 Social Work Theory & Practice 2
MSWSTP403 Social Work Theory & Practice 3
MSWRE402 Social Work Research (Online)
MSWFE402 Field Education 1
MSWFE501 Field Education Preparation 2
MSWCU502 Culture Identity and Discrimination (Online)
MSWCU503Â Challenging Systems & Cultures of Oppression, Violence & Abuse
MSWSW501 Human Rights, Ethics, Law (Online)
MSWTP504 Social Work Theory & Practice 4
MSWSW503 Leading Sustainable Community Change
MSWFE502A/B Field Education 2
MSWRE501A Capstone Seminar
#This is hurdle requirement that must be completed to proceed to MSWFE402, MSWFE501
^This is a hurdle requirement that must be completed to proceed to MSWFE502A/B
* Upon completing the Bachelor of Community Services at Acknowledge Education, you will receive exemptions for those units.
To meet the academic entry requirements for the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), you will need to meet one of the following criteria:
Direct Entry
You must have completed a relevant three-year AQF Level 7 degree course that includes at least one year (equivalent to 8 units) of full-time studies in the social and behavioural sciences.
Examples of studies in behavioural science include:
Examples of studies in social sciences include:
Graduate Certificate Pathway
If you have successfully completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree with four relevant units of study in social and behavioural sciences AND have successfully completed Acknowledge Education’s Graduate Certificate in Health and Community, you are eligible for a pathway to the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) at Acknowledge Education.
Pre-requisite Unit Set Pathway
If you have successfully completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor’s degree but do not have any relevant units of study in social and behavioural sciences, you have the opportunity to complete 4 units of our Bachelor of Community Services course. By successfully completing Acknowledge Education’s Graduate Certificate in Health and Community, you will be eligible for a pathway to the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) at Acknowledge Education.
If you have completed a three-year social welfare program, you may be granted a maximum of 25% or four units of credit, provided you meet all required learning outcomes for Australian social work graduates as defined in ASWEAS 2021.
Any articulation, RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning), or credit transfer will be done in accordance with criteria specified in the ASWEAS (2021) guidelines. Please click here to download Awarding Credit in Higher Education Programs Procedure and Awarding Credit in Higher Education Programs Policy.
Direct Entry: If you are seeking direct entry into the Master of Social Work (Q) course, you must meet one of the following criteria:
Pathway Entry: If you are entering the Master of Social Work (Q) course through any pathway options, you must have an IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent, upon commencement of your pathway course.
Please click here to download Admissions Procedure for Overseas Students (HE and VET)
To be admitted to the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), you are required to have completed a relevant three-year AQF Level 7 degree course that contains at least one year, or the equivalent, of full-time studies in the social and behavioural sciences.
Examples of studies in behavioural science include:
Examples of study of social sciences include:
Candidates entering the Master of Social Work program who have completed a three-year social welfare program may be granted a maximum of 25% or four units as long as they can meet all required learning outcomes for Australian social work graduates as defined in ASWEAS 2021.
Any articulation, RPL or credit transfer will be done in accordance with criteria specified in the ASWEAS (2021) guidelines. Please click here to download Awarding Credit in Higher Education Programs Procedure and Awarding Credit in Higher Education Programs Policy.
Other requirements required prior to commencing fieldwork placements:
Upon completing the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), you are eligible to seek full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
For more information, please visit the AASW website.
The Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) for the Master of Social Work are designed to align with the AASW Attributes of Australian Social Work Graduates and the Australian Quality Framework specifications for Master’s Degrees (AQF Level 9).
Occupational titles for graduates with this qualification may include:
View all 2024 dates here.
2025 intake: February, May, September
* AE has reached its full capacity for overseas student at Perth and would not be accepting any new enrollments for all HE courses for study at this location until further notice.
Tuition fees:Â
$3,275 per unit x 12 units
$6,550 per unit x 2 units
Administration fee: $250
FEE-HELP is a loan scheme available to eligible domestic full fee-paying higher education students which assists with the payment of part or all of their student contribution.
Please click here for more information on admissions for domestic students.
Tuition fees:Â
$3,275 per unit x 12 units
$6,550 per unit x 2 units
Administration fee: $250
View fee list here.