Overview 2020
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In the right headspace
Social Work graduate Ella Baker-Condon is helping some of society’s most at-risk and in-need people as a social worker for Headspace, a free youth-focused health service.
Contemporary social workers need contemporary skills to respond meaningfully to social problems. Our Master of Social Work (Qualifying) has been redesigned after direct industry feedback to reflect current and emerging practice trends in the profession.
The newly updated course with specialisation options will give you key skills in ethical, innovative and collaborative social work practice.
The new curriculum will equip you with advanced knowledge of social work research principles and methods. It also includes 1,000 hours of supervised professional field education placement, and students are encouraged to take part in additional project and research work with communities and industry.
You will graduate as a creative and ethical communicator who respectfully uses knowledge to meet the needs of diverse social work client groups, communities and organisations. You will be able to respond to social justice and human rights challenges in ways that are culturally sensitive, principled, and effective.
Cradle Coast students should note they are required to attend a series of workshops in Launceston for two units: HGW503 and HGW605.
Students who commenced the Master of Social Work (R7N) in 2018 or earlier should refer to the entry for that course code and relevant year.
Work placement
You will need to complete a minimum of 1000 hours of professional experience placement, equivalent to 2 x 14 weeks full-time. Depending on the organisation and where you are at in your degree, there will be opportunities of 5, 4 or 3 day per week placements.
The University will set up the agreement and match you to a suitable organisation. You will also have the opportunity to be provided with rural and remote experiences in the north and northwest.
Before you begin placement, you will need to attend preparation seminars and a placement interview. You will be allocated a field educator/social worker, with a minimum of 2 years full time equivalent post-graduation experience in the field. Your professional placement experience provides you with the opportunity to learn how to translate theories of social work into practice.
It is possible in some circumstances for students to complete a placement in their place of work.
Recognition of Prior Learning is possible for the first placement. Students who are given RPL for the first placement are unable to complete the final placement in their place of employment.
See more information and resources at Field Education Placements.
Career outcomes
The skills and expertise our Social Work graduates gain equips them for a diverse range of rewarding careers, including:
- child safety practitioner
- social worker
- project manager
- youth worker
- mental health practitioner
- researcher
- policy analyst and advisor
- community development worker
- migrant and refugee settlement workers
- case manager
- drug and alcohol counsellor
- palliative care social worker
- relationships counsellor
- disability advocate.
Course structure
Entry requirements
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Domestic students enrolled in certain postgraduate coursework programs may not be eligible for student payments through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Visit the Department of Social Services website to find out more about eligibility for Centrelink support and the list of eligible courses
International students
International students should refer to the International Students course fees page to get an indicative course cost.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries