Melbourne School of Health SciencesSocial Work

Degree structure

Coursework only

Over two years you will enrol in 175 points of coursework subjects and 50 points of fieldwork subjects. You will undertake four theory subjects totaling 50 credit points per semester in your first year. At mid-year you will undertake a block of supervised field placement of 75 days duration, worth 25 credit points. In the second year you will undertake three theory subjects totaling 37.5 credit points per semester with a mid-year block of supervised field placement, also of 75 days duration worth 25 credit points. In the final semester one subject is an elective subject.


Coursework with research component

If you choose the research pathway you will enrol in the structure is exactly the same as for the coursework only degree until semester 2 in the second year when you enrol in the Social Work Thesis subject in addition to your coursework subjects. This pathway will extend your enrolment by one semester.


Time commitment

Time management plays a key role in relation to successful university study. Students need to keep in mind that as well as scheduled contact hours for lectures, tutorials and seminars, a considerable additional time commitment is needed to complete the academic requirements of each subject.

This course has a high number of contact hours. In addition to attending classes and fieldwork placements you will be required to undertake personal study, write assignments, prepare for examinations and review your fieldwork practice.

Many students need to balance study commitments with personal commitments; however, you are strongly advised not to undertake employment during semester time, as it is very difficult to maintain employment while enrolled in this course. At most, one shift per week is recommended.


Degree structure (full-time enrolment)

Subject code and title

Subject type

Semester

Credit points

First Year

196-750

Lifespan Risk and Resilience

theory

1

12.5

196-751

Social Policy for social Work Practice 1

theory

1

12.5

196-753

Communication and Interviewing Skills

theory

1

12.5

196-752

Direct Practice with Individuals

theory

1

12.5

196-754

Supervised Field Placement

practical

mid-year

25

196-755

Assessing Risk and Vulnerability

theory

2

12.5

196-508

Researching Social Work Practice

theory

2

12.5

196-756

Working in Human Services Organisations

theory

2

12.5

196-757

The Legal and Ethical Contexts of Practice

theory

2

12.5

Second Year

196-759

Working with Families

theory

1

12.5

196-760

Working with Groups

theory

1

12.5

196-761

Working with Communities

theory

1

12.5

196-752

Supervised Field Placement 2

practical

mid-year

25

196-514

Human Service Program Planning & Evaluation

theory

2

12.5

196-763

Social Policy for Social Work Practice 2

theory

2

12.5

196-7xx

Elective Subject*

elective

2

12.5

Research pathway only

 

 

 

196-768

Social Work Thesis

research

2

25 (CNT)

Third Year

 

 

 

196‑768

Social Work Thesis

research

1

25


Degree structure (part-time enrolment)

Subject code and title

Subject type

Semester

Credit points

Year One

196-750

Lifespan Risk and Resilience

theory

1

12.5

196-751

Social Policy for social Work Practice 1

theory

1

12.5

196-752

Direct Practice with Individuals

theory

1

12.5

196-755

Assessing Risk and Vulnerability

theory

2

12.5

196-757

The Legal and Ethical Contexts of Practice

theory

2

12.5

Year Two

196-753

Communication and Interviewing Skills

theory

1

12.5

196-754

Supervised Field Placement 1

practical

mid-year

25

196-756

Working in Human Services Organisations

theory

2

12.5

Year Three

 

 

 

196-759

Working with Families

theory

1

12.5

196-760

Working with Groups

theory

1

12.5

196-514

Human Service Program Planning & Evaluation

theory

2

12.5

196-508

Researching Social Work Practice

theory

2

12.5

Year Four

 

 

 

196-761

Working with Communities

theory

1

12.5

196-732

Supervised Field Placement 2

practical

mid-year

25

196-763

Social Policy for Social Work Practice 2

theory

2

12.5

196-7xx

Elective Subject*

elective

2

12.5

Research pathway only

 

 

 

196-768

Social Work Thesis

research

2

25 (CNT)

Year Five

 

 

 

196‑768

Social Work Thesis

research

1

25


*Elective subjects
196-518 Critical Issues in Social Work
196-519 Issues in Women’s Mental Health (not offered in 2010)
196-521 Advanced Practice with Groups (not offered in 2010)
196-525 Social Work in Health (not offered in 2010)
196-764 Social Work Practice with the Elderly
196-765 Social Work Practice: Psychiatric Disability
196-766 Social Work Practice: Mental Health (not offered in 2010)
196-767 Child & Family Social Work (not offered in 2010)

Not all elective subjects will be available every year. Some may be on a two year cycle.
Students may vary their course plans by negotiation with the Course Coordinator if they wish to undertake a specific elective subject.

top of page