Key benefits of our course
We focus on employability so you can jump start your career in the growing area of social work.
You’ll learn from our internationally recognised practitioners and researchers. Their extensive experience and connections ensure your practice is globally-informed and ready to meet the changing needs of our communities.
Rather than sitting and listening, we want you to practise the work. You’ll take part in simulations and workshops designed to develop your capacities as a social worker before you go into your field placements.
Evidence-informed practice (EIP)
The connection between evidence and practice is a foundation for the course. Our students learn how to engage with available research, as well as gaining the skills and abilities to conduct research to examine our own practice.
Critical thinking
Critical thinking is central to both our method of teaching and what we hope to teach. Social work is focused on helping marginalised, disadvantaged people in complex health and social service settings. We teach students to be critical consumers of evidence and to analyse, reflect and test what they do in their work with clients.
Throughout the course students are taught to ask critical questions as part of decision making in practice.
HDR and research opportunities
The Monash Master of Social Work is one of few Australian social work masters programs which includes a pathway to higher degree research (HDR), including PhD. The HDR program offers the opportunity to train as a researcher in one of the top research institutions. Our students are provided with practical research opportunities in their training.
Field Education / Work Integrated Learning
Fieldwork placements are a key component of the Master of Social Work. As part of the course, students complete 1000 hours of supervised professional placement – integrating classroom knowledge with practice in real workplaces.
Students benefit from our intentional partnerships with a range of Victoria’s major service providers, including:
- Health services - Monash Health and Peninsula Health
- Government departments - Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services, DHHS Victorian Child Protection Services
- Non-profit organisations – Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Community services - Anglicare
- Addiction treatment services - Turning Point
- Other tertiary health services.
Clinical Practice labs and OSCE’s
We have a work-readiness focus and hands-on learning from day one. Our student’s participate in:
- Simulation training with actors
- Integration of Science and Practice assessments
- Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
- Clinical Practice Labs (CPLs)
- and supervised placements.
Our degree ensures that students develop the practical, people-focused skills needed for successful social work practice.
Electives
Our students explore their interests and advance their knowledge by choosing two electives in areas like:
- Child protection
- Mental health
- Alcohol and other drugs (AOD)
- Criminology
- Longevity (aged care)
- Family violence
- Post-disaster practice
- Health and hospital social work.
Diverse student body and support for International students
As one of the largest Social Work Master’s courses in Australia, we have a diverse student body. Students can also access support to strengthen their written and verbal communication through an onsite group of linguistic educators from our Student Academic Support Unit (SASU).
Globally-recognised researchers and social work practitioners
Our staff have global expertise and industry experience in the following areas: addiction, mental health, child protection and family services, youth and adult justice, homelessness, and family violence. Our dedicated Department of Social Work has a 40-year track record of training social workers and turning research findings into improved policy, services and practice.