Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2012

Master of Social Work

Course code/s: Albury-Wodonga (HMSKW), Bendigo (HMSKB), Melbourne (HMSK), Mildura (HMSKM)

Coordinator: Ms Maureen Long

Contact: ph (03) 9479 5815 health@latrobe.edu.au

Regional Contacts:

Albury-Wodonga: Dr Guin Threlkeld ph (02) 6024 9802 email: socialwork.aw@latrobe.edu.au

Bendigo: Dr Robert Townsend ph (03) 5444 7411 email: robert.townsend@latrobe.edu.au

Mildura: Ms Paula Bruce ph (03) 5051 4012 email: p.bruce@latrobe.edu.au

Duration: 2 years full-time, 3-4 years part-time

The Master of Social Work is a graduate entry practice degree. The course qualifies graduates for entry into the profession of social work. Students are prepared to be generic practitioners who are able to respond to the complexity of human need and to integrate the different areas and skills of social work practice in any given situation. Students are equipped to undertake the following key social work roles: to work with individuals, families and groups, community work, social policy, social research and organisational planning and administration. The curriculum is based on a philosophy of social justice and is taught within an adult-learning model. Students are encouraged to relate their relevant experiences to the theories and practice knowledge presented in the program and are also expected to challenge long-standing values and beliefs.

This course has provisional accreditation from the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Course structure

Students undertake a set course of academic and fieldwork subjects which includes two supervised 70-day placements (one in each year) in a professional social work agency.

First year
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
SUMMER SWP4PSW Pathways into C21 Social Work 15
TE-SEM-1 SWP4LHE Law, Ethics and Human Rights in Social Work Practice 15
TE-SEM-1 SWP4APA Social Work Applications A 15
TE-SEM-1 SWP4APB Social Work Applications B 15
TE-SEM-1 SWP4FPA Fields of Social Work Practice A 15
TE-W35-48 SWP5PPB Professional Practice B 45
TE-W31-34 SWP5RSB Research for Social Work Practice B 15

 

Second year
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-1 SWP5SPA Social Policy Analysis and Advocacy 15
TE-SEM-1 SWP5IIC Inclusion in Communities 15
TE-SEM-1 SWP5APC Social Work Applications C 15
TE-SEM-1 SWP5FPC Fields of Social Work Practice C 15
TE-W31-34 SWP5PDE Social Work Program Design and Evaluation 15
TE-W35-48 SWP5PPD Professional Practice D 45
TE-W35-48 SWP5LSW Leadership in Social Work 15