Monash University: University Handbooks: Off-Campus Learning Guide 2004: Units indexed by faculty
Previous page | Next page | Section contents | Title and contents

Off-Campus Learning Guide 2004
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Master of Social Work

Course code: 0019 + Department of Social Work, Caulfield campus + A limited number of HECS places available, or $15,000 full-fee paying (Australian residents); $13,500 (international students)

Aims

The Master of Social Work by coursework is offered by off-campus learning mode (on-campus by negotiation) and is specifically designed to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of professionals seeking higher degrees who find it difficult to combine work and/or family pressures with on-campus studies. Learning approaches in the off-campus learning mode include course books (mailed to students up to a week before the start of semester), online materials, telephone contacts, and fax and email exchanges. Students are advised to gain access to email communication links where possible, as all units are online. Each unit will also include a group discussion. There are no class attendances for off-campus students.

The degree provides an opportunity for human service and welfare professionals to enhance and develop their professional skills and knowledge and to make links between practice in the field and new academic knowledge and theory. It aims to provide for the needs of managers and policy developers as well as for social workers or others involved in direct work with clients. It also aims to cater for human service professionals who work as middle managers and as supervisors.
The course provides sufficient choice for students to specialise in management and policy development or in direct work with clients. The program, while aimed at the learning needs of social workers, is also directly relevant to professionals in the human services who have qualifications from other disciplines.

Professional recognition

The Master of Social Work is not sufficient in itself to provide eligibility for the Australian Association of Social Workers. The usual route to admission to the AASW is via a Bachelor of Social Work, but if you have questions about this please contact us.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have a Bachelor of Social Work degree or other relevant degree with an approved fourth year of study at undergraduate, honours or diploma level with grades of credit average or above. Relevant work experience may also be considered. Evidence of this experience must accompany the candidate's application for entry into the program and be presented with the application in the form of two references which comment on the nature and extent of the experience, a full CV, plus a statement of up to 1000 words indicating the applicant's career objectives and reasons for applying for entry. Academic record, publications and work experience in the community and social services will be taken into account in selection.

Course structure

The course may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. The full-time course is taken over one year and the part-time course over two years. Students are required to complete a total of four 12-point units, or 48 points.

Semester 1 units
Semester 2 units

* SWM5140 and SWM5150 must be undertaken in the same year and usually cannot be undertaken separately.

Units are offered subject to staff availability. The minimum pass grade for units in the Master of Social Work is 60 C; ie a grade of credit or above is required in every unit.

The Master of Social Work by Coursework may facilitate entry to the PhD program at Monash University. While the usual route to a PhD is through an honours program or masters by research, students who have completed an Master of Social Work by Coursework, including a research and/or special study units, or who have other research experience, may apply for the PhD program. Intending applicants interested in this possibility or masters by research should contact the department for further information.

Assessment

Units may have different requirements for assessment, however each unit may have a number of assessment tasks. These may require students to fax or email to the unit leader on a regular basis and/or to make audio or video tape recording, or to complete essays or short take home exams. In total, assessment tasks should comprise 9000 words consistent with university requirements for 12-point units. At masters level, it is generally expected that students will present work of an analytical nature. Students will also be expected to develop themes and arguments rather than merely present descriptive material.

Further information

For application and further information, contact Ms Rosemary Frigo, Social Work Office, telephone (03) 9903 1136, email rosemary.frigo@med.monash.edu.au, or see http://www.med.monash.edu.au/socialwork/ for information on units and staff areas of interest and research achievements.

Completed applications

Completed application forms are to be submitted to Department of Social Work, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, PO Box 197, Caulfield East, Victoria 3145 by 31 October 2003 for semester one 2004.

Late applications may be accepted subject to available course places - applicants should check with the department.

Previous page | Next page | Section contents | Title and contents