Program Overview

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The University of Western Australia

Doctor of Social Work

About the Course

The Doctor of Social Work is a research-based and research-driven advanced course for qualified social workers committed to their continuing professional education.

Careers and Further Study

Take your studies to a new level with a postgraduate degree and discover what career opportunities lie ahead.

Career Pathways

This degree will grant you professional recognition at the highest level.

Further Study

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee

• 2025: $36,900.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Scholarships

Postgraduate scholarships support UWA's position as one of Australia's leading research-intensive universities and the premier research institution in WA.

Research Training Program

Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens are offered a Tuition Fee Offset Scholarship which offsets the requirement to pay a contribution toward the cost of their research courses if UWA provides them with a Research Training Program (RTP) place.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

• (a)(i) the degree of Bachelor of Social Work of this University with first or upper second class honours, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty; or
• (ii) the degree of Master of Social Work (by coursework and dissertation) of this University with Distinction or High Distinction, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty; or
• (iii) the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Social Work of this University with a weighted average mark of at least 70 per cent, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty; or
• (iv) the degree of Master of Advanced Social Work of this University, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty; or
• (v) the degree of Master of Arts (Social Work) of this University, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty;
• and
• (b) the equivalent of at least two years' full-time post-qualified professional practice experience.

English Competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

Course Structure

Postgraduate research degrees are identified by an intensive research component. Refer to the Handbooks for information on course rules.

Core

• Take all units (48 points):
  • SWSP9901 Advanced Research Methods in Social Work Part 1 (6)
  • SWSP9902 Advanced Studies in Social Work Part 1 (6)
  • SWSP9903 Advanced Theory and Practice in Social Work Part 1 (6)
  • SWSP9904 Research Paradigms in Social Work Studies Part 1 (6)
  • SWSP9907 Advanced Research Methods in Social Work Part 2 (6)
  • SWSP9908 Advanced Studies in Social Work Part 2 (6)
  • SWSP9909 Advanced Theory and Practice in Social Work Part 2 (6)
  • SWSP9910 Research Paradigms in Social Work Studies Part 2 (6)

Option

• Take unit(s) to the value of 96 points:
  • SWSP9905 Doctor of Social Work Thesis (full-time) (96)
  • SWSP9906 Doctor of Social Work Thesis (part-time) (96)

Quick Details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Weekly contact time: The estimated time commitment for a standard full-time enrolment is approximately 46 hours per week (over 13 weeks) which includes contact hours, personal study and examinations.
• Level of study: Postgraduate
• Course Code: 10970
• CRICOS code: G
• Full time/part time duration: 3 years
• Degrees course is available in: Doctor of Social Work