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Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

The MSWQ equips future social workers with vital theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Students explore child protection, cross-cultural and Indigenous issues, human rights, law, mental health, social policy, gaining deep understanding of social theories and practice frameworks.

Intake Dates

23 June 2025

Fees

International or Domestic

Location

Melbourne & Adelaide

Contact

info@scei-he.edu.au | +61 3 9602 4110

CRICOS Code

114021C

AQF Level

9

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Key Info

The SCEI-HE Master of Social Work (Qualifying) students will develop, practice, and advance their skills in appraising individual, family, group and community experiences and contexts for a career in the field of social work and associated professional pathways. The SCEI-HE Master of Social Work (Qualifying) will develop social work graduates who are self-sufficient, versatile, and creative social work practitioners. MSW(Q) graduates will be able to integrate core social work professional competencies into their field education and formulate solutions to manage challenging, diverse, and specialised social and cultural environments.

200 Credit Points

Full Time

2 years

Face to face

16 Subjects

4 per semester

Placement Compulsory - 60 days

Embedded throughout the course

Pathways

Students interested in progressing further in this area, may choose to study one of the following areas on completion of the Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

  • Doctoral Studies

Employment Opportunities

Graduate employment opportunities include :

 

  • health
  • youth and family
  • community development
  • human resources
  • policy and advocacy
  • child protection
  • dispute mediation
  • industrial relations
  • migration advice

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Social Work (qualifying) will be able to:

  • Appraise clients, situations, and environments for a career in the field of social work.

  • Integrate core social work competencies into their professional practice.

  • Formulate solutions to manage challenging and specialised environments.

  • Critically evaluate their own professional practice. 

  • Integrate social work practice frameworks, industry standards, policies, legislation, and ethical behaviours into their professional practice.

  • Design solutions that demonstrate project management and leadership skills in social work practice. 

Year 1Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

Semester 1

All units are 12.5 credit points

This unit provides students with knowledge of foundational theories that inform social work practice including contemporary social work theories, approaches, models, and methods. The unit will expand students’ knowledge and understanding of the professional discipline of Social Work, its purpose, core values, and professional ethics. The content will require students to evaluate and reflect on the changing, complex, and intertwined nature of social work practice. This unit will advance student theoretical knowledge and skill base as it relates to professional social work practice in a wide range of settings including health, mental health, child protection, aged care, disability, school social work and family violence.

Assessment: Academic Essay, Oral Presentation

This unit of study presents knowledge about human growth and development at each stage of lifespan, which informs social work practice with various groups of people across the life course. The core knowledge, skills and values that underpin social work practice encompass the various stages of human development. The unit also provides an outline of the role, scope, contribution, and evidence base of social work practice in the field. The planning and conducting of assessments and interventions for a diverse range of people with physical needs within numerous services settings are studied.

Assessment: Academic Essay, Case-study Assessment, SW intervention simulation and reflection

This unit familiarises students with an understanding of human rights, social work ethics, and the Australian legal system. It investigates the values and principles which social and human services law and social work ethics are based on. This unit will explore current practice issues in relation to the law and equip pre-service practitioners with the ability to apply ethical decision-making in a diverse range of social work contexts, appropriately advocate for their clients and navigate the myriad of challenges faced through the legal system.

Assessment: Case Study, Online Quizzes and Academic Essay

The focus of this unit is to explore well-informed ways of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including the development of social work practice that allows for knowledgeable, sensitive, and responsible frameworks. The commitment to acknowledge and understand the historical and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia will be studied. Specific attention will be paid to the diverse cultural ways of working with individuals, groups, and communities – including practice principles, strategies and skills and the importance of critical self-reflection.

Assessment: Oral Presentation, Analytical Report and Academic Essay.

Semester 2

All units except two Field Education units are 12.5 credit points. *Field Education units are 25 credit points

The unit explores the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills required for effective social work with families, children and peer groups and builds a strong foundation for theoretically informed social work practice. The focus of this unit incorporates four main themes that social workers engage in including family support work, child protection, adoption and fostering and residential youthwork. Each of these four themes include the sub-sections of policy background, review relevant law, key theories, social work practices and current research. The unit will integrate case studies that explore the challenges in social work with practical sessions to focus on the skills necessary for social workers to practice with families, children, and young people.

Assessment: Role-play, Case-studies, and Academic Essay.

The focus of this unit is the research principles and research methods in the social sciences and social work program planning and evaluations. Advanced research methodologies, principles and ethics are studied to facilitate the design, planning and analysis of social work research and program evaluations. The unit of study will cover qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method research methodologies, research design and planning as well as data collection and analysis.

Literature Review, Research Articles Critique and Research Proposal

Supervised practical placement hours will be completed in an approved social work or human services agency. This unit will focus on integrating the theory of social work and professional practice. The professional placement requires students to log 500 hours (20 weeks at 3-4 days per week).

Completion of all supervised hours are a strict requirement of the unit; and is in accordance with the Australian Social Work Education Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) guidelines. This unit will require students to attend several placement seminars prior to and during their field work placement. Participation in these webinars is a mandatory requirement for the unit and will cover a range of different areas in in social work,
including Ethical practice; Communication; Relationship management; CALD groups; Assessments and interventions; Reflections and outcomes.

Assessment: Participation in Workshops and Self-reflection, Reflective Practice Piece, Work-based Practice Assessment, Mid-placement and Final Practice Evaluation

Year 2Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

Semester 1

All units are 12.5 credit points

The unit presents human development and wellbeing across lifespan, which informs social work mental health practice with various groups of people and communities. The core knowledge, skills and values that underpin social work practice in mental health are explored including multidisciplinary team practices. The unit provides an outline of the role, scope, contribution, and evidence base of social work practice in the community mental health field. The planning and conducting of assessments and interventions for a diverse range of people with mental health disorders or alcohol or drug addictions within various services settings are studied.

Assessment: Report, Academic Essay, and Simulation

The focus of this unit is to examine contemporary social issues and how they relate to the practice of social work with groups and communities. Students will be encouraged to critically think about and analyse current affairs impacting global, national, and local communities on a range of issues. Students will study models of community development, advocacy, and policy formation in areas of social justice and explore concepts of lifelong learning and reflection as professional social workers.

Assessment: Community Development Report, Social Justice Case Study, and Advocacy and Development Plan.

The unit will explore the concepts and realities of domestic and family violence and its implications for social work practices. The prevalence of domestic and family violence will be explored together with its impact on children and families. The theory and practice which underpins domestic and family violence will be examined through a range of case studies and role-plays to practice the skills necessary to assess and examine domestic violence and empowerment practices. The research findings from domestic and family violence inquires and service-user experienced will be explored and integrated within the unit and its assessments.

Assessment: Case Study Safety Plan, Literature Review, and Oral Presentation.

The sociology of culture and diversity focuses on the organisation of social life. It looks at how people’s lives are influenced by their opportunities and experiences; and the impact that people have on society through acting and creating change. Sociology provides insights into the ways factors such as class, wealth, race, gender, ethnicity, age, sexuality, disability, and religion shape people’s lives, but this is only one part of it. Sociology is diverse and covers all aspects of social life. Most importantly, sociology gives a perspective on the social world that values critical thinking. The unit will also cover how social work as a profession encompasses diversity and culture and race and religion into its various practice frameworks.

Assessment: Short Essay, Group Presentation, and Academic Essay.

Semester 2

All units except two Field Education units are 12.5 credit points. *Field Education units are 25 credit points

The unit will synthesis the skills gained across the MSWQ program and specifically the research and programs evaluation plus the theory and practice social work units. Knowledge and skills obtained in the research and evaluation unit are required to complete this research-based project. Social workers are expected to have critical analysis skills that are required for evidence informed practice. Being able to integrate research methods into social work practice is critical to be able to produce and improve outcomes for individuals and the community. This project is an essential component of the capstone experience, and it assesses the knowledge and skills across the whole unit. Students will be provided with project opportunities to complete in this unit.

Assessment: Oral Presentation, and Research Report.

or

This subject will build on student’s research skill and application in the field of social work.

Assessment: Literature Review, Oral Presentation – Confirmation of Candidature, Research Thesis, and Oral Presentation – Defense of Thesis.

This unit will explore the leadership and management theories for social work practice within human services organisations. Aspects of leadership will be explored including sustainability of the social work profession, problem solving and decision making in social work, motivating other staff, financial accounting and human resources, financial management, strategic planning and management, resource development and community collaboration, and leadership. The unit will focus on the skills necessary to develop leadership skills and the emerging importance of technology in social work practices and management.

Assessment: Academic Essay, Quiz, and Social Work Program.

Supervised practical placement hours will be completed in an approved social work or human services agency. This unit will focus on integrating the theory of social work and the professional practice. The professional placement requires students to log 500 hours (20 weeks at 3-4 days per week).

Completion of all supervised hours are a strict requirement of the unit; and is in accordance with the Australian Social Work Education Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) guidelines. This unit will require students to attend several placement seminars prior and during to their field work placement. Participation in these webinars is a mandatory requirement for the unit and will cover a range of different areas in in social work, including Ethical practice; Communication; Relationship management; CALD groups; Assessments and interventions; Reflections and outcomes.

Assessment: Participation in Workshops and Self-reflection, Reflective Practice Piece, Work-based Practice Assessment, Mid-placement and Final Practice Evaluation.

English Proficiency Language Requirements

Applicants for the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) are required to meet the following academic and English language entry standards:

  1. Completed a bachelor degree in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland

  2. Attained the following

Test

Postgraduate Degrees

IELTS

Score of 7.0 for all components.

TOELF (iBT)

Score of 94+ for all components

TOEFL (paper based)

Score of 600+ for all components

OET

Pass

Pearson (PTE)

Score of 66 for all components

Cambridge English

Score of 185+ for all components

Please note: English language requirements for teacher registration in Australian States and Territories may be different from those required for entry into SCEI-HE courses.

Verification procedures

The enrolment officer will verify all English language proficiency test scores via the following means:

  • IELTS test scores submitted will be verified on the IELTS Test Report Form verification online service
  • TOEFL online score verification service is utilised to verify the applicants submitted report form
  • Cambridge English Language Assessment verification services is used to validate applicant’s Cambridge English examination results
  • The PTE Academic online score reporting system is used to view score reports and listen to applicant’s (test takers) personal introductions
  • The photo on the Test Reports will be verified with the applicants Passport photo

If an applicant is found to have submitted fraudulent English language proficiency documentation, SCEI-HE reserves the right to dismiss the applicant’s application or withdraw a letter of offer for admission to the Institute.

Academic Requirements

To be eligible for an offer of admission, applicants will:

  • Hold a relevant Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) in social or behavioural sciences, with at least one (1) full time equivalent year of study in any of the following disciplines:
  • Human welfare studies and services – including social work, youth work, community work, welfare studies and counselling;
  • Behavioural science – including psychology or behavioural science;
  • Human society – including sociology, anthropology, Indigenous studies or gender-specific studies; or
  • Other disciplines including political studies, policy studies, family law, justice administration, legal studies, family and consumer studies, education (with a focus on welfare), public health, health promotion, community health, mental health, nursing or community nursing.

Professional Practice

The aim of industry placement program is to prepare you for the world of work and assist in applying your newly acquired skills and knowledge in real lifework environments.

It also allows you to make meaningful connections with potential employers that may be able to employ you upon completion of your degree, or act as a work reference for other employment opportunities.