詹姆斯库克大学

What to expect

Enhance your current qualifications and gain the critical skills to improve the lives of others, working towards creating a just and equitable society. This specialist post-graduate course is designed by JCU to give you valuable opportunities to network and gain practical professional experience in social welfare agencies, both in Australia and overseas.

Acquire valuable hands-on experience working with individuals, families, groups and communities through on-campus classes and/or residential workshops. JCU’s world-class lecturers provide consistent support and regular feedback to help you get the most out of your learning experience.

Students complete a series of essential core subjects, tailored to the unique and complex challenges of social work. Subjects consider global issues and international perspectives with those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Work while you study with JCU’s flexible delivery options. You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning for one field education placement if you already have significant social welfare and human services experience.

Career Opportunities

Master of Social Work Graduates are highly employable and make a difference in a variety of settings.

You could pursue a career in government and non-government organisations throughout Australia or internationally.

Graduates find employment in areas like hospital and community health services, child protection services, youth and family services.

You could work in a range of occupations, such as case work with individuals and families, community work and development roles, or social policy, research and advocacy roles.

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Master of Social Work (PQ), graduates will be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of an advanced and integrated body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying values, ethics, theories, research principles and methods, professional practice and workplace contexts in the social work discipline

Reflect critically on the unique, complex and contemporary relationships between social work and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and their diverse histories and cultures

Reflect critically on the impact of complex social, political and historical issues on environmental and social sustainability in Australia and internationally, with a focus on the tropics

Investigate, analyse critically and transform complex social systems, institutions, structures, processes, practices and inequities

Consolidate, synthesise, research and evaluate recent developments in social policy and evidence to devise practical and knowledge solutions that reduce social barriers, inequalities and injustice

Interpret and communicate, to specialist and non-specialist audiences, theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions in the social work discipline through advanced literacy, numeracy and technological skills

Design, plan and execute a substantial research based project

Manage service provision and professional practice to engage with and enable individuals, groups and communities to achieve social and environmental justice

Apply and adapt expert and specialised professional practice knowledge and skills, autonomously and in collaboration with others, to address social barriers, inequity and injustice across diverse contexts

Demonstrate creativity and initiative, and expert judgement and adaptability in engagement, planning, decision-making, problem-solving, provision and evaluation of specialist advice and functions, to achieve practice, organisational, policy and/or system level outcomes

Demonstrate high-level responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional development.