Program Overview

Master of Social Policy

Overview

The Master of Social Policy program enables students to examine key developments in social policy through a global lens, with a strong emphasis on social justice and the ability to influence policy. As a social policy maker, students can meld the needs of citizens with the roles of government and not‐for‐profit service agencies in contentious fields like employment, income support, education, health, and climate change.

Course Details

• Course code: 706AA
• Duration: 2 years full time / 4 years part time
• Location: On campus (Parkville)
• Intake: March, July
• Fees: Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available

Course Overview

The Master of Social Policy enables students to understand the respective roles of government, private, and not‐for‐profit sectors in meeting the needs of citizens. Students will understand and critique the key developments in social policy through a global lens, aiming to find ethically sustainable solutions, while considering the competing factors of social policy and the economy.

Target Audience

The Master of Social Policy is designed for people with an interest in analysing key areas of contemporary social policy, including governance, inclusion and exclusion, social capital, and globalisation. Students can engage with the social dimensions of social policy – race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, and age – and understand social policy as a contested process.

Difference between Master of Social Policy and Master of Public Policy

While Social Policy is closely related to Public Policy, it is more often used to describe both government and NGO efforts to meet fundamental human needs such as aging, employment, disability, and social welfare. It deals less with the functions of the state and is more focused on the provisioning of basic services.

Related Study Areas

• Arts, humanities and social sciences
  • Social and political science

Program Structure

The program allows students to apply their research skills to a range of organisational contexts and explore real-world experiences through the School's partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence social research team. Students can also activate their knowledge through an Executive Internship placement over two semesters.