Masters (Coursework)
This professional qualifying postgraduate program qualifies graduates for entry into the social work profession, as well as providing additional training to enhance employability in mental health practice. Graduates of this double degree complete the same courses as other Master of Social Work students, and are equipped with the knowledge, skills, values and ethical foundations for social work practice in a wide range of contemporary social policy and human service contexts, including mental health practice. This program of study is particularly suited to students who may be considering a future career as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker.
This is an 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).
Pathways
The frameworks for practice incorporated in the program are designed to ensure graduates are effective, ethical, and innovative thinkers, communicators, problem-solvers, change facilitators and leaders. It is specifically designed for graduates holding undergraduate degrees with some social and behavioural science components.
To be eligible for admission to the Master of Social Work/Master of Mental Health Practice, a student must hold:
* This includes human services, social sciences, behavioural sciences, counselling and psychological sciences.
As the number of applicants may exceed the Commonwealth Supported Places available in the program, selection for admission is competitive and will be based upon past academic performance and the relevance of previously completed tertiary studies and work experience. To be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place, applicants are required to submit past academic transcripts and a curriculum vitae. You also have the opportunity to provide additional supporting documentation (personal statement of up to 500 words plus supporting evidence) if you consider that your past GPA was adversely impacted by significant circumstances such as poverty, homelessness, mental or physical ill-health, or family violence. If you are not successful in gaining a Commonwealth Supported Place, you may be eligible for a Fee-Paying Postgraduate place.
This degree prepares graduates for practice in a range of social work and mental health roles, including working with individuals, groups and families, community work, advocacy, research, planning and policy development, and management and administration. This program of study is aimed at broadening graduates employability, rather than providing you with specialist training. You will graduate as social workers equipped to work in any field of social work practice, and in addition you will have received further training to deepen your knowledge and understanding of mental health practice.
This double degree has been developed in part in response to the growing interest in social work graduates seeking AASW accreditation as Accredited Mental Health Social Workers. Accreditation as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker requires at least two years' (post-qualifying) supervised social work practice experience in mental health or related field. Graduates of this double degree program will be better equipped to secure employment in qualifying roles.
There are career opportunities for social workers and mental health workers in government, non-government and private sector agencies with jobs in hospital and community health settings, youth work, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services, child and family welfare, child protection, youth and adult offending, employment and income support, aged care, community development, family support, disability services, services for women, multicultural services and many other social welfare organisations.
Griffith University grants credit and recognition of prior learning which may relate to prior formal learning or prior informal and non-formal learning. For more information, please visit the following website:
Griffith's innovative Credit Precedent Database allows you to find out what credit decisions have been made in the past. These precedents will give you an idea of what you can expect.