Student in a clinical setting with a parent and child
MG-SCWK

Social Work (Qualifying)

Masters by coursework (graduate entry)

This graduate entry master course provides the knowledge and skills to become a professional social work practitioner and help people to address life challenges.

Course outline
  • Qualification
    Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
  • Duration

    Duration

    2 years full-time
  • Credit

    Credit

    400
  • CRICOS

    CRICOS

    100481
  • Location

    Location

    Curtin Perth
Course outline

Deadlines for applying direct to Curtin

Select your preferred campus:

Intake Application open Application close

Block Session 5, 2024

1 March 2024

Applications now closed!

Block Session 5, 2025

1 March 2025

28 April 2025

Course outline
Social Work (Qualifying)

Overview

Overview

The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) course is a mid-year entry, fast-track option to becoming a social worker for those who already hold a bachelor degree in a related area.

This course offers Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) to domestic applicants, which means part of your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.  

Social work draws on knowledge from a range of disciplines including sociology psychology, politics, philosophy, health and economics. Social workers are committed to social justice, human rights and social change. They work with and alongside individuals, groups and communities to improve people’s quality of lives, promote positive relationships, and advocate for human rights.

The course focuses on how people understand and interact with each other, their communities and society.

This course has mixed modes of delivery, including online, on-campus intensive blocks and fieldwork. Please check individual unit information for tuition method. 

You will complete 14 weeks or 2 semester's worth (1000 hours) of supervised fieldwork placements in the course for professional identity development.

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the inherent requirements before applying.

What you'll learn

  • develop, integrate and critically apply social work values, knowledge and principles; provide assessment and intervention that is informed by consumers and the practice context.
  • work inclusively and creatively across diverse practice contexts; provide accountable and responsive leadership; demonstrate professional behaviour consistent with social work values, principles, ethics and practice standards.
  • demonstrate knowledge of relevant national and international social policies and practice standards in order to synthesise knowledge of the interrelationship between local and global issues, and apply an intersectional analysis to social policy domains.
  • apply appropriate communication and interpersonal skills using a variety of media relevant to the audience and guided by the ethical principles of the social work profession that are underpinned by pursuing social justice and upholding human rights.
  • in social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities and organisations, use appropriate technologies to research, evaluate and synthesise information, involving communicating knowledge within and beyond the discipline of Social Work which generates sustainable solutions appropriate to diverse contexts.
  • establish and sustain intellectual curiosity by using a range of learning strategies, including research informed practice, professional development and supervision.
  • value and respect the knowledge of Indigenous Australians; understand the effects of Australia’s colonial history and demonstrate advanced culturally responsive and inclusive practices; demonstrate commitment to social justice including human rights.

Why study Social Work (Qualifying) at Curtin?

Top 1%

Curtin is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2025).

Excellent resources

#2 in Australia for learning resources in postgraduate social work (Good Universities Guide, 2025).

Highly ranked course

#1 in WA for skills development in postgraduate social work (Good Universities Guide, 2025).

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

You must have a relevant bachelor degree completed, including at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences (studies of the individual and society), or equivalent prior learning, including appropriate professional experience. Entry into this course is competitive. If your prior degree is not considered relevant, you may be required to undertake prerequisite bridging units before commencing the program.

You will be required to submit supplementary information with your application. Please refer to the application requirements below.

There are limited Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available.

Ranking and Selection Process

1. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record.

2. Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.

3. Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.

4. In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right not to proceed with subsequent offer rounds.

 

 

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

7

Reading

7

Listening

7

Overall band score

7

Application Requirements

Please refer to our application requirements before applying for this Curtin course.

Admission requirements for the Masters of Social Work (Qualifying) are as follows:

An undergraduate degree with at least one year full-time study of the individual, society, culture and health, or equivalent.

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

A relevant  bachelor degree, including at least one year of study of the individual or society. However, selection is competitive and this cut-off may be higher. If you do not have this background you may be required to undertake additional bridging units.

 

To find out more about these bridging units, please refer to the Health Sciences Graduate Entry Foundation Course which allows you to complete the units you require before applying for this course. The units required are: "Introduction to Psychology", "Citizenship, Culture and Diversity", “Interpersonal Communication Skills in Health” and  “Social Work Philosophy, Policy, Context”. These units should be undertaken in the first semester to facilitate entry to the mid year intake.

 

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and scholarships

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees

2024 Fee year:

$10,100*

Commonwealth supported

Commonwealth supported

$27,947*

Domestic

Domestic

2025 Fee year:

$10,500*

Commonwealth supported

Commonwealth supported

$28,784*

Domestic

Domestic

Fees are indicative first year only and are subject to passage of legislation.

*The indicative first-year fee is calculated on 200 credit points, which is the typical full-time study load per year, however some courses require additional study to be completed, in which case the fee will be higher than that shown.

This fee is a guide only. It may vary depending on the units you choose and does not include incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks – visit other fees and charges for more information. For more information on fees and to determine your eligibility for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, please visit fee basics or the Study Assist website

To be eligible for the Commonwealth supported fee:

  • Australian citizens must complete some of their course of study while residing in Australia.
  • Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens must be residing in Australia for the entire course.

For further information on eligibility please refer to the Australian Government Study Assist website.

If you’re not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, please see information for international students.

Fees are indicative only.

* Based on a first-year full-time study load of 225 credits. The total cost will depend on your course options (i.e. units selected and time taken to complete).

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

2024

Block Session 5
  • On campus

2025

Block Session 5
  • On campus

2026

Block Session 5
  • On campus

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Apply now

Frequently asked questions

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  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: MG-SCWK
  • CRICOS code: 100481
  • Last updated on: 21 December 2024

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