Master of Social Work by Research

Program summary

Program title: Master of Social Work by Research
Award abbreviation: MSocWk
Degree type: Higher Degree by Research (HDR)
Study mode: internal
Duration: 1.5 years expected, 2 years maximum full-time; 4 years maximum part-time.   
Commence: students can apply and start throughout the year, subject to program requirements
Fees: Domestic candidates ^, International candidates ^
USC program code: AR862
CRICOS code: Not available to international students on a Student Visa.

The Master of Social Work by Research is designed for students who want to develop their professional standing in the expanding and challenging field of professional social work. It will particularly benefit those who have an undergraduate degree in Social Work, have worked in the industry for some time, and are wishing to gain a higher degree through undertaking practice-based research.

The program offers opportunities to deepen your knowledge and understanding of social work practice and can be tailored to suit your individual interests. You complete one required research course and a thesis. The research component involves individualised research relevant to your key area/s of interest as a professional social worker.

You may enrol at the start of any semester. You attend lectures and tutorials with other research students. And the learning and assessment tasks are commensurate with your postgraduate standing. Research components of the program must be approved by the program coordinator and based on the availability of supervisory staff with relevant expertise.

Advanced standing

No advanced standing will be granted to students with an undergraduate qualification.

Enquiries

Faculty of Arts and Business
Dr Peter Innes
Tel: +61 7 5459 4802
Fax: +61 7 5430 2880
Email: pinnes@usc.edu.au

Office of Research
Research Training Administrator
Tel: +61 7 5459 4521
Fax: +61 7 5459 4527
Email: researchtraining@usc.edu.au

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to Master of Social Work by Research candidature, applicants must have completed a professional qualification in social work, duly accredited or recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Entry by non-graduates who have relevant governmental or industry experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

In exceptional cases applications may be considered on the basis of other evidence of general and professional qualifications as approved by the Research Degrees Committee.

Refer also to the University’s English language proficiency requirements.

Program structure

During candidature you must complete one course, CMN575+ (24 units), and compile a thesis of 30,000–35,000 words (120 units).

You are required to conduct research that can be written up as a scholarly thesis. You must demonstrate research competency and the ability to make a significant and original contribution to the body of knowledge in your chosen area of specialisation.

As a candidate you must clearly articulate in your research outline, the topic, background, rationale, research question, aim and objectives, methodology, research methods and techniques, and timeframe. Your research outline is to include a literature review that relates to the research question and objectives.

The results of your research activities should be presented succinctly and accurately and as necessary could be supported by more detailed annexures.

Your syntheses analysis and discussion must clearly focus on the research question and the objectives of the work.

Conclusions and recommendations must be drawn from your analysis and discussion and reflect the attainment of the aim and the way in which the research question is addressed.

Program requirements and notes

1. Prospective applicants wishing to undertake a Master of Social Work will need to find a suitable supervisor by contacting the Faculty of Arts and Business.
2. Students are required to successfully complete one 24-unit course and a thesis as specified in the Master of Social Work program structure.
3. For further information, refer to the Research Master Degrees - Academic Policy.
4. Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
5. Refer to the research areas for the Faculty of Arts and Business.
6. Refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
7. Not available to international students on a Student Visa.

^ Enrolment and fees

1. Domestic candidates: Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are not required to pay tuition fees for the standard duration of their HDR program. The Australian Government's Research Training Scheme (RTS) covers the cost of HDR tuition fees for these candidates. Research Master candidates are entitled to a maximum of two years full-time equivalent study. Candidates who do not complete their degree within the maximum RTS allowable completion times may be required to pay fees for any additional periods of enrolment. Please refer to Higher Degree by Research fees.
2. International candidates: tuition fees apply. Refer to International HDR tuition fees.
3. In any semester, full-time enrolment comprises 0.500 EFTSL.*
4. In any semester, part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL.*
5. The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date.

* EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL.

The information below applies to domestic HDR applicants only. International students should refer to the information for International HDR applicants.

Step 1: Consider admission criteria

Consider whether you meet academic admissions criteria. If you are unsure if you meet this criteria please contact the Office of Research for guidance.

Step 2: Contact the relevant faculty

To apply for a Higher Degree by Research (including Master by Research and Doctoral degrees), you must first contact the relevant faculty (Faculty of Arts and Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering) to discuss your intended research topic and a possible supervisor.

Entry is highly competitive and depends on:

• your academic background
• the submission of a suitable research proposal
• the availability of a registered supervisor
• the availability of resources to support your proposed research topic

Step 3: Develop a research proposal

You will need to develop a research proposal together with your intended supervisor before submitting an application.

Finding a supervisor

All supervisors at USC are required to be admitted to the register of supervisors. Use the Experts Guide to find a potential supervisor in your area of research, and remember to ask your supervisor if they are registered.

Step 4: Complete an application form

Complete an application form and submit this with your supporting documents to the Research Training Administrator.

• Higher Degree by Research application form (Word 545KB)

Step 5: Submit completed application form

Submit your completed application form with supporting documentation to the Office of Research.

You may apply at any time as entry dates to higher degrees by research are flexible. Only complete applications will be considered.