COURSE CURRICULUM

Year One of this program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in social work theory, practice, and research. During the first semester, students complete 48 credit points focusing on critical social work, which introduces the key principles, values, and ethics that underpin professional practice. They also study discourses of care, control, and protection, exploring the social, political, and legal frameworks that shape social work interventions. In addition, students engage in Critical Professional Practice Skills Part A, a 24-credit course that develops practical skills essential for effective social work, including communication, assessment, and intervention techniques. In the second semester, students continue their development through Field Education A, a 36-credit course providing hands-on, supervised practice in real-world social work settings, complemented by Research Strategies in the Social Sciences, which equips students with the tools to critically evaluate and apply research to practice.In Year Two, students build on their practical and theoretical knowledge while exploring more advanced topics. Semester One includes Rights, Recognition and Social Justice, which examines human rights frameworks and their application in social work, and Influencing Policy, which focuses on strategies for advocacy and policy engagement. Critical Professional Practice Skills Part B further develops advanced professional competencies, preparing students to manage complex cases and work effectively with diverse client groups. Semester Two provides Field Education B, a 36-credit intensive placement that allows students to consolidate their learning in professional settings under supervision. Additionally, students complete Professional Identity and Sustainable Practice, which encourages reflection on ethical practice, professional growth, and sustainable approaches to social work in contemporary society. Through this combination of theory, practical experience, and research, graduates are prepared to work as competent, ethical, and reflective social workers, capable of contributing meaningfully to social justice, community wellbeing, and policy development across a variety of social work contexts.