Program Overview

Master of Social Work

About the course

The Master of Social Work (coursework or coursework and dissertation) prepares beginning social work practitioners for employment in local, State and international human services agencies.

Course structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Core

• Take all units (84 points):
  • SWSP5301 Foundations of Social Work Thinking and Identity (6)
  • SWSP5306 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges and Practices for Social Work (6)
  • SWSP5309 Field Education 1: First Placement (18)
  • SWSP5406 Social Work Methods 4: Consolidating Theory and Practice (6)
  • SWSP5429 Field Education 2: Final Placement (18)
  • SWSP5630 Social Work Methods 1: Theories for practice (6)
  • SWSP5631 Social Work Methods 2: Practicing from Theory - Working with People (6)
  • SWSP5632 Legal and Organisational Contexts for Social Work (6)
  • SWSP5633 Methods 3: Advanced Evidence Based Practice (6)
  • SWSP5634 Social Work and Mental Health Practice (6)

Option - Coursework Units

• Students not undertaking a research dissertation project take units to the value of 12 points from this group:
  • SWSP5407 Research Methods in Social Work (6)
  • SWSP5409 Applied Social Work Practices (6)

Option - Research Dissertation Project

• Students undertaking a Research Dissertation Project take units to the value of 12 points from this group:
  • SWSP5603 Master of Social Work Research Project Part 1 (6)
  • SWSP5604 Master of Social Work Research Project Part 2 (6)

Admission requirements

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

(a) a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and (b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 60 per cent; and (c) a current Australian National Police Certificate, or equivalent certification, indicating no criminal convictions. The currency of a National Police Certificate is 12 months.

English language requirements

The ELC requirement may be satisfied by:

• At least two successful years of full-time or equivalent degree studies undertaken in one of the following countries:
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom
  • Republic of Ireland
  • United States of America
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • South Africa, where studies are taught and assessed in English.
• OR
• A valid IELTS (Academic) minimum score of 7.0 overall with at least 7.0 in each section.

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

$37,200.00

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.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Career opportunities

Social work requires a strong commitment to and passion for social justice and human rights. If you think you have what it takes, the employment opportunities in Australia are excellent and the demand for graduates is high, with graduating students quickly finding work in a range of fields.

Careers to consider in addition to the health and welfare sectors:

• Aged care worker: provide personal, physical and emotional support to older people who need assistance with everyday living
• Correctional services officer: aid in the rehabilitation and counselling of offenders
• Domestic violence victim services officer: counsel, investigate and report on incidences of domestic violence
• Disability services officer: provide support for people in the community with intellectual, physical, social and emotional disabilities
• Social planner: a pivotal role in creating liveable, sustainable communities; social planners create strategic policy and action that policy in order to meet the needs and wants of the people
• School based: assisting students individually or in group contexts, psychosocial education and counselling

Course accreditation

The Master of Social Work (11550) is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Reasons to study Social Work at UWA

• Social work is in the top 10 fastest growing areas of employment
• The combination of coursework units and high-quality placements in the field presents you with the opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills and develop a sense of identity as a practitioner
• Most established Masters course in WA, with Social Work being first taught at UWA in 1965
• Taught by highly qualified, award-winning staff who are passionate about teaching and learning
• Social workers promote change at individual, community and policy levels and assist people to create positive outcomes
• You will be taught using creative case study and evidence-informed methodologies, highlighting contemporary approaches to practice and research