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Hidden Page Items
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HW9 - Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
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491B71A050934F25BF0811030BCDBE0B
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HE PGCW Template
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6
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20270200
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2026-09-10
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2026-10-07
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3.6
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/MK1.1/O4.6
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Program
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Postgraduate Course
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Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
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Institute of Education, Arts & Community
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Social Work, Community & Human Services
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<p>Be an advocate for social justice and human rights. Make a real difference to the lives of people in need. Excel in your career in one of the fastest growing professions. You might be a new graduate looking for a clear career path or an experienced social worker wanting to take the next step in your professional life. Or perhaps you are ready for a career change and want to step into social work. Whatever your background, we'll prepare you to work across human and community services in government bodies, non-government organisations, community and health services and more. You'll become confident working with migrants, people with alcohol, drug and mental health problems and in palliative care, child protection, youth services and much more. You'll be exposed to challenging real life situations through 140 days during your studies in social work settings, being mentored by experienced professionals in the field. Then, once you graduate, you can go on to be a qualified social worker, take up management positions or work in national or international policy development. This is an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) accredited qualification, and is an entry qualification into the social work profession. It has been deemed to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards.</p>
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PGCW
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240
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Masters by Coursework
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9 - Masters Degree
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2 years
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<p>Lauren Zeuschner</p>
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["Full time"]
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["Domestic","International"]
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085213F
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3/4 HD and nothing less than a D
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<p>Students that achieve a grade of High Distinction (HD) in at least three quarters of the units they study in a teaching period and receive nothing less than a Distinction (D) in remaining units in that teaching period will receive a letter of commendation.</p>
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Fail any unit in a term
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<p>Students that fail a unit will be contacted via email with advice on required actions and referral to various Federation support services.</p>
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Fail > 50% in a term OR fail a unit 2 times
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<p>Students who fail in more than 50% of the units in which they are enrolled in any semester or who have not passed a unit after two attempts will be regarded as having unsatisfactory progress. They will be contacted via email and advised to contact their Course Coordinator to seek advice on how to address the issues that contributed to the result.</p>
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2 consecutive performance (%) unsatisfactory terms OR fail a unit 3 times - Suspend
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<p>Following unsatisfactory progress in two consecutive semesters or failing a unit for the third time, students will be asked to show cause why they should not be excluded from the course. Unless a satisfactory response is received by the relevant Academic Progress Committee the student may be excluded from the course for a period of up to two years.</p>
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Marginal fail in final unit
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<p>Students who receive an MF grade in their final Semester may apply to the Course Coordinator within 7 days of the publication of results for supplementary assessment if that unit is the only outstanding unit required to complete the degree and the student has not been found guilty of any form of academic misconduct (e.g. plagiarism, contract cheating, collusion) in that Semester. The highest grade attainable will be a Pass grade.</p>
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["Domestic CSP","International Onshore"]
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140
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1000
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<p>This course requires students to complete [Total Placement Hours] hours as part of the placement requirements.</p>
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<p>Successful completion of an Australian Bachelor Degree, or overseas equivalent.</p>
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<p>Applicants seeking entry with a bachelor degree must have completed at least one year of study (8 units), in a relevant field. Relevant fields: Anthropology, Behavioural Science, Business, Children and Family Studies, Commerce, Community Development, Community Studies, Counselling, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Economics, Education, Gender Studies, History, Human Geography, Human Rights, Human Services, Indigenous Studies, Policy Studies, Political Science, Politics, Psychology, Science, Social Policy, Social Sciences, Sociology, Welfare Studies, Youth Work.</p>
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Successful completion of an Australian bachelor degree, or overseas equivalent.
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Academic requirements
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<p>Students are required to complete these requirements as part of the enrolment or graduation requisites.</p>
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["<p><a href=\"https://www.aasw.asn.au/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)</a> </p>"]
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Full accreditation
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<p>The courses listed below offer approved credit pathways into this course, provided you meet the additional admission requirements.</p>
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<p>The following articulation agreements are available for this course.</p>
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<p>This course recognises relevant non-formal and informal prior learning and experiences, as long as you meet the admission eligibility rules and procedures, and any RPL unit exclusions.</p>
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Semester 1 entry course structure
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Credit, pathways, and recognition of prior learning
Hidden Page Items
Semester
Semester
0200
Year
Year
2027
Current Year
2026
Breadcrumb Positioning
Handbook
HW9 - Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
Pseudo Breadcrumb
HW9 - Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
Breadcrumb Type
Course
Catalogue Term and Year
Version Text
You are viewing a version for
Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Summer Semester
Year
2027
2026
RDS Holder
Overview
Key information
Entry requirements
Course rules
Course structure
Course learning outcomes
Placement
Credit, pathways, and recognition of prior learning
Parent Region
Overview
Course overview
<p>Be an advocate for social justice and human rights. Make a real difference to the lives of people in need. Excel in your career in one of the fastest growing professions. You might be a new graduate looking for a clear career path or an experienced social worker wanting to take the next step in your professional life. Or perhaps you are ready for a career change and want to step into social work. Whatever your background, we'll prepare you to work across human and community services in government bodies, non-government organisations, community and health services and more. You'll become confident working with migrants, people with alcohol, drug and mental health problems and in palliative care, child protection, youth services and much more. You'll be exposed to challenging real life situations through 140 days during your studies in social work settings, being mentored by experienced professionals in the field. Then, once you graduate, you can go on to be a qualified social worker, take up management positions or work in national or international policy development. This is an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) accredited qualification, and is an entry qualification into the social work profession. It has been deemed to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Study load:
Full time
Credit points:
240
AQF level:
9 - Masters Degree
Duration (in full time equivalent):
2 years
Domestic students:
<p><strong>Location</strong></p><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p>
International students:
<p><strong>Location</strong></p><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p>
Professional accreditation:
<span class="para-no-gaps"><p><p><a href="https://www.aasw.asn.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)</a> </p>(Full accreditation) </p></span>
CRICOS code:
085213F
Course coordinator:
<p>Lauren Zeuschner</p>
Entry requirements
Domestic students
Applicants with higher education study
Academic requirements
<ul><li>Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree at AQF level 7 in a cognate discipline in Psychology, Behavioural Science, Education, Arts, Community and Human Services, Criminology and Criminal Justice or</li><li>Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree at AQF level 7 in any discipline or</li></ul><ul><li>Applicants seeking entry with a bachelor degree must have completed at least one year of study (8 units), in a relevant field. Relevant fields: Anthropology, Behavioural Science, Business, Children and Family Studies, Commerce, Community Development, Community Studies, Counselling, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Economics, Education, Gender Studies, History, Human Geography, Human Rights, Human Services, Indigenous Studies, Policy Studies, Political Science, Politics, Psychology, Science, Social Policy, Social Sciences, Sociology, Welfare Studies, Youth Work.</li></ul>
International students
Academic requirements
<p>Applicants are required to have met the minimum academic requirements: </p><ul><li>Successful completion of a recognised bachelor’s degree at AQF level 7 in a cognate discipline in Psychology, Behavioural Science, Education, Arts, Community and Human Services, Criminology and Criminal Justice or</li><li>Successful completion of a recognised bachelor’s degree at AQF level 7 in any discipline or</li></ul><ul></ul>
English language requirements
Overall Academic IELTS band score of 7.0, with no band less than 7.0, or equivalent or International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISPR) test with an overall score of 3+ , L (4), R (3+), W (3+), S (4). or completion of a 3-year Bachelor degree (or equivalent) from the approved recognised English-speaking country list.
Additional requirements
Requirements
<p>Students are required to complete these requirements as part of the enrolment or graduation requisites.</p>
Essential requirements prior to enrolment
<p class="bold-heading3">Working with Children Check</p> <p>You’ll need to hold a valid <a href="http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Working with Children</a> Check before starting professional placements in this course.</p><br /><p class="bold-heading3">Police Check</p> You’ll be required to hold a valid National Police Check for professional placements as part of this course.
Course rules
Course rules show the number and type of credit points needed to finish your course. They help you understand what you need to complete to graduate. You’re responsible for following the course rules and completing the right units. You’ll find a recommended sequence of units that meets these course rules in the course structure.
Course rules
Complete 240 credit points comprising:
240
credit points from
Core Units
Core Units
Complete exactly 240 credit points from the following:
Code
Title
Credit points
MSWPG7101
Foundations of Social Work Theory
15
MSWPG7102
Professional Social Work Practice
15
MSWPG7108
Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities
15
MSWPG7210
Social Policy, Development & Impact
15
MSWPG7115
Social Work Practice in Diverse Contexts
15
MSWPG7201
Contemporary Social Work Theories and Practice
15
MSWPG7202
Social Work Practice with Children, Young People and Families
15
MSWPG7203
Law and Ethics in Social Work Practice
15
MSWPG7205
Integrative Social Work Practice
15
MSWPG7211
Social Work Research
15
MSWPG7116
Social Work Placement 1
30
MSWPG7117
Professional Preparation
15
MSWPG7218
Social Work Placement 2
30
MSWPG7219
Social Work Fields of Practice
15
Academic progress regulations
Commendation
<p>Students that achieve a grade of High Distinction (HD) in at least three quarters of the units they study in a teaching period and receive nothing less than a Distinction (D) in remaining units in that teaching period will receive a letter of commendation.</p>
Counselling
<p>Students that fail a unit will be contacted via email with advice on required actions and referral to various Federation support services.</p>
Unsatisfactory
<p>Students who fail in more than 50% of the units in which they are enrolled in any semester or who have not passed a unit after two attempts will be regarded as having unsatisfactory progress. They will be contacted via email and advised to contact their Course Coordinator to seek advice on how to address the issues that contributed to the result.</p>
Exclusion / suspension
<p>Following unsatisfactory progress in two consecutive semesters or failing a unit for the third time, students will be asked to show cause why they should not be excluded from the course. Unless a satisfactory response is received by the relevant Academic Progress Committee the student may be excluded from the course for a period of up to two years.</p>
Final unit supplementary assessment
<p>Students who receive an MF grade in their final Semester may apply to the Course Coordinator within 7 days of the publication of results for supplementary assessment if that unit is the only outstanding unit required to complete the degree and the student has not been found guilty of any form of academic misconduct (e.g. plagiarism, contract cheating, collusion) in that Semester. The highest grade attainable will be a Pass grade.</p>
Course structure
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.federation.edu.au/students/student-essentials/how-to-enrol/what-to-enrol-in/">Course structures</a> set out the recommended sequence of units for enrolment. It's your responsibility to comply with the course rules and confirm unit availability (which you'll find under 'Offering' in the 'Key information' section of each unit outline).</p> <p>Select the semester you started your course in (not the semester you're enrolling for).</p>
Semester 1 entry course structure
Year 1
Semester 1
MSWPG7108
Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities
Core Units
15
MSWPG7202
Social Work Practice with Children, Young People and Families
Core Units
15
Winter Semester
MSWPG7115
Social Work Practice in Diverse Contexts
Core Units
15
Semester 2
MSWPG7101
Foundations of Social Work Theory
Core Units
15
MSWPG7102
Professional Social Work Practice
Core Units
15
Spring Semester
MSWPG7116
Social Work Placement 1
Core Units
30
MSWPG7117
Professional Preparation
Core Units
Year 2
Semester 1
MSWPG7211
Social Work Research
Core Units
15
MSWPG7219
Social Work Fields of Practice
Core Units
Winter Semester
MSWPG7218
Social Work Placement 2
Core Units
30
MSWPG7205
Integrative Social Work Practice
Core Units
15
Semester 2
MSWPG7203
Law and Ethics in Social Work Practice
Core Units
15
MSWPG7201
Contemporary Social Work Theories and Practice
Core Units
15
Spring Semester
MSWPG7210
Social Policy, Development & Impact
Core Units
15
Semester 2 entry course structure
Year 1
Semester 2
MSWPG7101
Foundations of Social Work Theory
Core Units
15
MSWPG7102
Professional Social Work Practice
Core Units
15
Spring Semester
MSWPG7116
Social Work Placement 1
Core Units
30
MSWPG7117
Professional Preparation
Core Units
Semester 1
MSWPG7211
Social Work Research
Core Units
15
MSWPG7219
Social Work Fields of Practice
Core Units
Winter Semester
MSWPG7218
Social Work Placement 2
Core Units
30
MSWPG7205
Integrative Social Work Practice
Core Units
15
Year 2
Semester 2
MSWPG7203
Law and Ethics in Social Work Practice
Core Units
15
MSWPG7201
Contemporary Social Work Theories and Practice
Core Units
15
Spring Semester
MSWPG7210
Social Policy, Development & Impact
Core Units
15
Semester 1
MSWPG7108
Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities
Core Units
15
MSWPG7202
Social Work Practice with Children, Young People and Families
Core Units
15
Winter Semester
MSWPG7115
Social Work Practice in Diverse Contexts
Core Units
15
Course learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates will be able to:
Course learning outcomes
Ref
Outcome
<p>1</p>
<p>Critically appraise constructions of social work purpose, place and practice</p>
<p>2</p>
<p>Develop advanced understanding of the nexus between power, oppression and exploitation</p>
<p>3</p>
<p>Demonstrate a critical understanding of the history and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples</p>
<p>4</p>
<p>Demonstrate a clear understanding of interactions between culture, identity and discrimination</p>
<p>5</p>
<p>Critically appraise psychosocial health and wellbeing across the life cycle.</p>
Placement
Placement information
<p>This course requires students to complete 1000 hours as part of the placement requirements.</p>
Credit, pathways, and recognition of prior learning
Credit pathways
Credit pathways
<p>The courses listed below offer approved credit pathways into this course, provided you meet the additional admission requirements.</p>
CRS_CRDT_QUAL_PROVIDE
Course code and title
Institute / school
Credit points
<p>HC5 - Bachelor of Community and Human Services</p>
Institute of Education Arts and Community
60 credit points
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning
<p>This course recognises relevant non-formal and informal prior learning and experiences, as long as you meet the admission eligibility rules and procedures, and any RPL unit exclusions.</p>
Unit exclusions
<ul><li>MSWPG7101 Foundations of Social Work Theory</li><li>MSWPG7102 Professional Social Work Practice</li><li>MSWPG7108 Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities</li><li>MSWPG7210 Social Policy, Development & Impact</li><li>MSWPG7115 Social Work Practice in Diverse Contexts</li><li>MSWPG7201 Contemporary Social Work Theories and Practice</li><li>MSWPG7202 Social Work Practice with Children, Young People and Families</li><li>MSWPG7203 Law and Ethics in Social Work Practice</li><li>MSWPG7205 Integrative Social Work Practice</li><li>MSWPG7211 Social Work Research</li><li>MSWPG7208 Social Work Field Education 2</li><li>MSWPG7218 Social Work Placement 2</li><li>MSWPG7117 Professional Preparation</li><li>MSWPG7219 Social Work Fields of Practice </li></ul>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Study load:
Full time
Credit points:
240
AQF level:
9 - Masters Degree
Duration (in full time equivalent):
2 years
Domestic students:
<p><strong>Location</strong></p><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p>
International students:
<p><strong>Location</strong></p><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p>
Professional accreditation:
<span class="para-no-gaps"><p><p><a href="https://www.aasw.asn.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)</a> </p>(Full accreditation) </p></span>
CRICOS code:
085213F
Course coordinator:
<p>Lauren Zeuschner</p>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: HW9 - C3.6/MK1.1/O4.6/R3.1