Master of Social Work (Child and Family Practice)

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Overview

Get the skills and knowledge to turn your passion for empowering children and families in need into a thriving career with La Trobe's Master of Social Work (Child and Family Practice). Advance your career or move into the rewarding field of social work with the knowledge and practical skills to … For more content click the Read more button below. By completing La Trobe's Master of Social Work (Child and Family Practice), you will:earn as you learn, with your tuition fees covered, a cost of living bursary in your first year and a salary in your secondmaster key concepts in social work, such as human rights, law and ethics, social policy analysis and advocacy, working with individuals, families and groups, and program design and analysisexplore roles undertaken by social workers, including direct practice, social policy, education and research, community development, counselling and organisational planningwork in real industry settings and gain valuable insights into the day-to-day experience of social work by completing two 500-hour work placements, additional work experience in first year and paid employment in second year with one of our many industry partners, including Berry Street, Mallee Family Care and MacKillop Family Services.

Get the skills and knowledge to turn your passion for empowering children and families in need into a thriving career with La Trobe's Master of Social Work (Child and Family Practice).

Advance your career or move into the rewarding field of social work with the knowledge and practical skills to succeed in the child and family services' sector. Complete specialised subjects designed in consultation with sector leaders and delivered by world-class social work academics, including specialists in child and family practice.

By completing La Trobe's Master of Social Work (Child and Family Practice), you will:

earn as you learn, with your tuition fees covered, a cost of living bursary in your first year and a salary in your second
master key concepts in social work, such as human rights, law and ethics, social policy analysis and advocacy, working with individuals, families and groups, and program design and analysis
explore roles undertaken by social workers, including direct practice, social policy, education and research, community development, counselling and organisational planning
work in real industry settings and gain valuable insights into the day-to-day experience of social work by completing two 500-hour work placements, additional work experience in first year and paid employment in second year with one of our many industry partners, including Berry Street, Mallee Family Care and MacKillop Family Services.

Portfolio

Office of the Provost

School

Course coordinator

Maureen Long

Location(s)

Melbourne (Bundoora)

Course instance contact

Maureen Long

Course duration (full time)

2 years

Course duration (part time)

N/A

Course duration (accelerated)

N/A

Study level

Postgraduate

AQF level

Level 9 - Masters Degree

Available only as an exit award

Study options

Domestic

Completion requirements

To qualify for the award of Master of Social Work (Child and Family Practice), students must complete 240 credit points consisting of: 240 credit points core subjects

Course structure
240 credit points

Level one120 credit points

Core120 credit points

Level two120 credit points

Core120 credit points

Course intended learning outcomes

On successful completion you will be able to:

Reflect critically on theory and social work practice demonstrating mastery of theoretical knowledge.

Articulate a professional social work identity, both independently and as a member or leader of a team in a multidisciplinary work environment.

Demonstrate advanced interpersonal and communication skills for practice that is autonomous, accountable and demonstrates capacity to make, and justify, ethical and socially responsible decisions.

Investigate, analyze, consolidate and synthesize complex social work information, problems, concepts and theories and apply established theories and concepts to develop sound professional practice that is inclusive and respectful of multiple worldviews and difference and diversity.

Advocate for progressive social change including global political concerns around environmental and social challenges arising from inequities, cultural difference and diversity, particularly as they impact human rights, social and economic justice.

Articulate and critically appraise Western and First Nations worldviews acknowledging ongoing impacts of colonization and identifying the benefit of First Nations relational ways of knowing for all.

Design, implement and critically evaluate consumer and community informed research, projects and programs and creatively influence innovative future practice, social reform and policy.

Interpret and transmit knowledge, research and practice effectively to a wide variety of audiences using a variety of media and appropriate technologies.

Respond creatively to new situations in social work practice and pursue professional learning in social work.

Course features

Work based learning (placement) requirements

Compulsory placements (Work Based Learning)
During this course, you will participate in supervised Work Based Learning (WBL) placements designed to allow you to practice newly acquired skills, behaviours and knowledge while integrating theory with practice. The placements will immerse you in professional work culture, enabling you to develop and further enhance your skills. WBL provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience at one or more of our local, interstate or international industry partners or agencies. Placements are sourced and arranged by the University. In keeping with the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS), students will undertake a 500 hour placement in both the 1st and 2nd year of the course. Students may incur additional costs and it may be necessary to travel or relocate to complete a specific placement. Please refer to the individual subject entries for more information. In the Master of Social Work (Child and Family Practice) you will have an opportunity to participate in an earn and learn model.

Work integrated learning opportunities
A course that integrates theory with the practice of work.

Industry presentations, Industry informed curriculum, Professional simulations

Career outcomes

Graduates will take up social work positions in a range of settings in the child and family services' sector including:

parenting and family services
family violence support services
foster and kinship care
youth services
child protection.

Professional recognition

The Master of Social Work (Child and Family Practice) has provisional accreditation from the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards. Professional membership may require an application to the professional body and may have additional or ongoing requirements beyond the completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.

Other course instances

Select a related course instance to view more information.

Core participation requirements

Behavioural and relational skills

Core requirement

Students must be able to manage their own responses and behaviour to work effectively in a range of learning environments with diverse people and tasks. This includes the capacity to be receptive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback. Students should also be able to work with others in a team or group environment and make and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals in order to complete tasks or for professional practice.

See also Student behaviours policy for more information.

Course-specific requirement

Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively in this role to work constructively in a diverse and changing academic and field placement environment.

Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in changing and unpredictable environments. Social work students will be exposed to highly complex human situations and will be required to have behavioural stability to manage these events. Failure to maintain this standard could jeopardise the health and wellbeing of others.

Cognition

Core requirement

Students must be able to locate, acquire, retain and apply knowledge as part of their learning and for assessment. They must have the ability to sustain their attention over a designated period, maintain their focus in a variety of learning environments and remember information long enough to complete tasks in a reasonable and safe timeframe.

Course-specific requirement

Safe and effective social work practice is based on knowledge that must be sourced, understood and applied appropriately. A demonstrated defined range of knowledge and cognitive skills is a requirement for field placements and professional registration by the AASW.

Student demonstrates:

Capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information
Ability to process information relevant to practice
Ability to integrate and implement knowledge in practice

Additional costs

Cost description - Other

Immunisations - Standard

Prior to commencing a placement, students are required to meet all of the requirements of the degree in relation to immunisation. Students must visit a medical practitioner who will complete and sign the Immunisation and Health Record form.

Depending on a students immunisation history, the overall costs for vaccination may be up to AUD$1030. Students are responsible for all costs incurred. Further information will be provided post enrolment.

Handbook