Master of Social Work

Most of the courses are held in a group workshop format. You'll interact with others and benefit from the experience and knowledge of your peers.

RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including:

• lectures
• seminars
• workshops
• presentations
• group discussions.

All programs are delivered in English.

You will have access to online resources through the myRMIT student portal.

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes:

• written exercises
• exams
• class exercises
• oral presentations
• workshop and seminar facilitation
• online activities.

RMIT University and community service organisations work together to provide field education.

You'll undertake two 70-day placements, usually within human and community service organisations. Placement helps you practise your skills so you have the confidence to apply your academic and workplace abilities to professional situations.

Placements may be arranged locally, with some opportunity for interstate or overseas placements for the final round.

You could find work placements in organisations such as:

• ASRC (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre)
• Anglicare
• Department of Human Services - child protection
• Foundations for Survivors of Torture
• Oxfam Australia
• Brotherhood of St Laurence
• Department of Education
• Salvation Army Crisis Services
• Centrelink.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

Research strengths

RMIT is a world leader in social justice and homelessness research and supports a number of research projects and networks that maintain wider links with local and global communities.

The Centre for Applied Social Research (CASR) undertakes research and promotes public debate on key areas of social change and social policy. The Centre works closely with a range of community organisations, government departments, local governments and the union movement.

The Centre for Urban Research is a thriving interdisciplinary research centre with an emphasis on the intersecting streams of housing and homelessness, urban and regional planning, and sustainability and climate change.

Graduates are highly employable in human services organisations, community-based agencies, various levels of government, and increasingly in corporate and private enterprise.

Some graduates help to develop social policy, some engage in research, some assist communities to develop their own services and some provide services to individuals and families. In a social work career, there are ample opportunities to pursue different specialisations and interests.

With your working knowledge of social science, research and social work, you'll be eligible for a wide range of human services or community jobs in areas such as:

• child protection
• dispute mediation and industrial relations
• health services and hospitals
• human resource management
• policy and advocacy work
• community development projects
• program and organisational development
• immigration advice and referral centres
• Federal and State Government departments (Centrelink, Department of Human Services)
• youth and family services.

Professional recognition and accreditation

This program is an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) accredited qualification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). Graduates are eligible for membership of this professional association.