Social Work
Why do research in Social Work?
Our research informs social policy, program design and implementation in the human services, and enhances the practice of social workers and other helping professionals. The school is represented on four campuses throughout Victoria, so our perspective is rural, regional and urban. Core research themes are child, youth and family welfare; disability and aging; health and mental health; and indigenous issues. We have strong research links with government and non-government agencies, a track record of attracting research grants and significant contracted research and consultancy funding. Our school has strong collaborative ties with other schools at La Trobe and Australian and international universities. Members of our staff edit two key Australian human service journals, Australian Social Work and Children Australia.
Research specialisations
Courses
Local students
2013
Doctor of Philosophy
- Duration :
- 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- Semester starts :
- Anytime
- Campus:
- Albury-Wodonga
- Bendigo
- Melbourne
- City
- Other
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- This degree requires a major original research project under supervision and the submission of a thesis. While coursework is not a requirement for the degree, selected subjects may be recommended for some candidates. Areas of study include: health systems, policy and management, social policy; social participation; evidence based-practice; ageing and aged care; health systems policy and management; mother and child health; sex, health and society; human communication sciences; musculoskeletal research; nursing and midwifery; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; orthoptics; podiatry; prosthetics and orthotics; social work and social policy, rehabilitation; and injury prevention.
- Prerequisite
- Applicants with first-class or upper second-class honours (or an equivalent qualification) may be admitted directly to PhD candidature. Others will normally be required to enrol initially in a research master's program and, if appropriate, transfer to PhD candidature when they have demonstrated the capacity for independent research at a suitable level.
- How to apply
- Please download an application form here.
- Full course details
- Health Sciences (PhD)Melbourne
Health Sciences (PhD)Bendigo
Health Sciences (PhD)City
Health Sciences (PhD)Albury-Wodonga
Doctor of Social Work (Professional Doctorate)
- Duration :
- 4 years full-time or 8 years part-time
- Semester starts :
- Anytime
- Campus:
- Albury-Wodonga
- Melbourne
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- This degree provides experienced practitioners in social work and human services professions with an alternative to the traditional PhD. Areas of study include: social work practice; social policy; program evaluation; disability; intellectual disability; ageing; child and family welfare; and mental health.
- Prerequisite
- Honours degree of H2A standard or Masters degree (including a thesis component) and at least three years professional experience.
- How to apply
- Please download an application form here.
- Full course details
- Social Work (Professional Doctorate)Melbourne
Social Work (Professional Doctorate)Albury-Wodonga
Master of Social Work (Research)
- Duration :
- 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time
- Semester starts :
- Anytime
- Campus:
- Albury-Wodonga
- Bendigo
- Melbourne
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- This course requires students to complete a research program in social work, to attend research seminars and submit a thesis on an approved subject. Areas of study include: social work practice, social policy, intellectual disability, ageing, child and family welfare, health, and mental health.
- Prerequisite
- Bachelors degree with Honours, or demonstrated Honours equivalence in terms of skills, experience, research and/or publications.
- How to apply
- Please download an application form here.
- Professional recognition
- This is an AASW-accredited qualification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).
- Full course details
- Social Work (Master)Melbourne
Social Work (Master)Bendigo
Social Work (Master)Albury-Wodonga
How to apply
You can apply for research candidature at any time. However, applications for research scholarships close on 31 October.
To apply for Master's candidature, you need an Honours degree or Master's Preliminary. For Doctoral (PhD) candidature, you need a Master's or a Bachelor's degree with Honours, usually with a result of at least H2A.
Before applying, it's best to contact a potential academic supervisor and receive in-principle approval for your topic.
Once you've done this, you can download an application form [PDF 1.02Mb] and submit it to La Trobe's Research Services office.
Fees and scholarships
Research degrees are funded by the Commonwealth Government via the Research Training Scheme (RTS) (fees may apply to some components of some Professional Doctorates).
There are a range of scholarships available for local students.
International students
2013
Doctor of Philosophy (006629C)
- Duration :
- 4 years
- Semester starts :
- Anytime
- Annual Tution Fee (AUD) :
- 27 800
- Campus
- Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Melbourne
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- This degree requires a major original research project under supervision and the submission of a thesis. While coursework is not a requirement for the degree, selected subjects may be recommended for some candidates. Areas of study include: health systems, policy and management, social policy; social participation; evidence based-practice; ageing and aged care; health systems policy and management; mother and child health; sex, health and society; human communication sciences; musculoskeletal research; nursing and midwifery; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; orthoptics; podiatry; prosthetics and orthotics; social work and social policy, rehabilitation; and injury prevention. Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Melbourne
- English Language Requirements
- IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0.
TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English).
TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22.
La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted.
Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English)
for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0.
Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59.
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher.
Or approved international equivalent. Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Melbourne - Academic entry requirements
- Applicants must have completed an Australian Master's degree or Bachelors degree with Honours at H1 or H2A level, or approved international equivalent. Applicants must also provide evidence of substantial prior research expertise. Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Melbourne
- Full course details
- Health Sciences (PhD)Melbourne
Health Sciences (PhD)Bendigo
Health Sciences (PhD)City
Health Sciences (PhD)Albury-Wodonga
Doctor of Social Work (Professional Doctorate) (029305M)
- Duration :
- 4 years
- Semester starts :
- Semester 1 and 2 (March and July)
- Annual Tution Fee (AUD) :
- 27 800
- Campus
- Albury-Wodonga, Melbourne
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- This degree provides experienced practitioners in social work and human services professions with an alternative to the traditional PhD. Areas of study include: social work practice; social policy; program evaluation; disability; intellectual disability; ageing; child and family welfare; and mental health.
- English Language Requirements
- IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0.
TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English).
TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22.
La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted.
Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English)
for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0.
Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59.
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher.
Or approved international equivalent. Albury-Wodonga, Melbourne - Academic entry requirements
- Applicants must have completed an Australian Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with Honours at H1 or H2A level, or approved international equivalent, plus at least three years of relevant professional experience. Applicants are also required to provide evidence of research expertise. Albury-Wodonga, Melbourne
- Full course details
- Social Work (Professional Doctorate)Melbourne
Social Work (Professional Doctorate)Albury-Wodonga
Master of Social Work (Research) (055101G)
- Duration :
- 2 years
- Semester starts :
- Semester 1 (March)
- Annual Tution Fee (AUD) :
- 27 560
- Campus
- Bendigo, Melbourne
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- This course requires students to complete a research program in social work, to attend research seminars and submit a thesis on an approved subject. Areas of study include: social work practice, social policy, intellectual disability, ageing, child and family welfare, health, and mental health. Bendigo, Melbourne
- English Language Requirements
- IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0.
TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English).
TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22.
La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted.
Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English)
for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0.
Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59.
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher.
Or approved international equivalent. Bendigo, Melbourne - Academic entry requirements
- Applicants must have completed an Australian Bachelors degree with Honours at H1 or H2A level, or approved international equivalent. Applicants with Honours at H2B level, or equivalent, may be considered in some instances. Bendigo, Melbourne
- Full course details
- Social Work (Master)Melbourne
Social Work (Master)Bendigo
Social Work (Master)Albury-Wodonga
Fees and scholarships
Estimated fee costs for international students is indicated for each course above. There are also a range of scholarships available for international students to assist students.
Your study experience
Finding a supervisor
One of the most important aspects of your research study will be finding a supervisor in Social Work.
Overseas study opportunities
You may be eligible for our student exchange program.
You can apply to take one placement overseas. We have partnerships with a number of international organisations in countries such as the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia and China.
Student profiles
Students from our Faculty talk about their experience at La Trobe.
Social Work events
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