The Master of Social Work at the University of Melbourne offers an outstanding graduate course of study. You will benefit from our research-led teaching, based on up-to-date data allowing you to apply the most relevant theory to your social work practice.

This is one of the first masters degrees accredited nationally by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). A master’s degree in social work is a portable qualification, enabling you to work nationally or internationally.

The course is led by  highly qualified, experienced, research-active and accessible experts in the field, with strong ties to the profession and community services. Their expertise encompasses specialist knowledge in particular fields of practice including: Mental health, child and family practice, health, ageing and substance abuse.

We give you strong research preparation through specific skill development in social work research. This is important in teaching you to utilise current research to inform your practice and as preparation for research studies

You will undertake a specialist elective in the final semester. Throughout the degree you will find special areas of social work that interest you. You can follow these up more closely by undertaking a specialist elective in:

• Health
• Psychiatric disability
• Group work
• Aged care
• Child and family
• Social policy or mental health

Course description

The course offers mixed teaching methods: lectures, tutorials, seminars, collaborative learning and practice simulations. This ensures a rich and diverse learning environment, and is inclusive of all students. Our specially designed interview simulation rooms allow you to practice and review your skills in a safe environment before commencing your fieldwork placements.

Whether you want to work directly with individual clients or with communities more broadly, the Master of Social Work can prepare you to address societal disadvantages and develop solutions.

Extremely high employment prospects await graduates of this in demand course. Large numbers of students secure employment during or soon after graduation from the course. Graduates of this course also often experience rapid career advancement and promotion to senior positions.

Previous graduates of this program have progressed to rewarding careers in a range of human service contexts around Australia and the world. Graduates have been employed in key roles within health and mental health facilities, the criminal justice system, disability services, child protection and family violence, as well as in human service design and government policy. Some graduates also move into private practice and become registered with Medicare to provide mental health counselling services.

Students seeking a career change experience great success in this course. Those already working within the sector leave the degree with a greater possibility of a promotion to higher level positions and new specialisations within international and national NGOs and the government sector.