COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) at UniSQ is a sixteen-unit postgraduate program designed to prepare graduates for professional social work practice. The degree combines advanced coursework, research opportunities, and extensive field experience to develop expertise in supporting individuals, families, and communities facing social, emotional, and economic challenges. Students gain a deep understanding of critical social work principles, cultural safety, trauma-informed practice, and eco-social justice, preparing them to work effectively with diverse and marginalised populations, including First Nations peoples.The program includes eight core units that build foundational and specialised knowledge. These cover topics such as the landscape of critical social work practice, professional development through the Social Work Elevate courses, cultural safety and decolonisation, health and mental health, relationship-building in practice, trauma-informed approaches, research methods for social work, and understanding complexity and eco-social justice. These units provide a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical strategies that underpin effective professional practice.Students also complete six placement units, totalling 1000 hours of hands-on field experience. Placements allow students to apply their learning in real-world settings, working directly with clients and communities, and developing professional competence under supervision.In the final stage, students choose between a professional or research pathway. The professional pathway enables the selection of specialised social work electives to deepen practical knowledge in areas of interest, while the research pathway involves undertaking an independent research project and producing a thesis, offering preparation for further study such as a PhD.Overall, this degree equips graduates with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience needed to enter the social work profession with confidence, cultural responsiveness, and the ability to create meaningful social impact across various professional and community settings.