The Master of Advanced Social Work (Research) allows you to combine coursework with extensive independent research in social work. It encourages an advanced practice-oriented and theoretical approach, and supports self-directed, lifelong learning. To be eligible for the award of the degree, you must achieve an average grade of at least H3 (65%) or higher.

Commencement period

• You may commence at any time during the year between 1 February and 31 October. Commencement in January or December is not advisable.
• Commencement in the degree is subject to prior arrangement with your nominated supervisor (Scholarships have separate rules and you should seek approval from Melbourne Scholarships to vary your scholarship commencement).
• Please check with the relevant academic unit prior to making any arrangements for enrolment or travel.

You will be completing a thesis of 30,000 words and two coursework subjects. Refer to the Department of Social Work.

Attendance:

• You will be required to attend departmental seminars over the period of your candidature.
• You will be required to complete a minimum of 6 months full-time research at the University to benefit from planning, conducting and writing up of your research within a University community and environment.
• Normally the entire degree is undertaken at the University.
• To be eligible to submit a thesis for examination, you must be enrolled in your course for the minimum period of 12 months full-time equivalent.

Thesis:

• You will be enrolled into a thesis subject for the duration of the degree.
• You will have appropriately experienced academics available to arrange a course of supervised research designed to suit the individual requirements and interests of the candidate.
• You may be required to supplement your research program by attendance at, or enrolment in, additional subjects if considered necessary by the supervisor(s).
• Academic progress in regard to the research thesis will be reviewed regularly throughout the degree.
• Your thesis will be examined externally. The thesis should normally be 30,000 words in length excluding tables, illustrations and bibliography.
• You should refer to the University policy library the Graduate Research Hub for further information regarding candidature, academic progress, ethics, thesis preparation and examination.

Electives:

• Not all elective subjects will be available every year. Some may be on a two-year cycle. You may vary your course plans by negotiation with the Supervisor if you wish to undertake a specific specialist or elective subject.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the degree will:

• acquire research skills and undertake a shorter thesis which is relevant to social work practice and/or social policy;
• undertake preparation for advanced practice.

Graduate Attributes

Research Masters degrees at the University of Melbourne seek to develop graduates who have a capacity for defining and managing a research project characterised by originality and independence. Their training will equip them for more sustained and original work at the doctoral level or for applied research positions in a wide variety of contexts.

The University expects its research masters graduates to have the following qualities and skills:

• an ability to initiate research projects and to formulate viable research questions.
• a demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and report independent and original research on a closely-defined project.
• an ability to manage time to maximise the quality of research.
• an understanding of the major contours of international research in the research area.
• a capacity for critical evaluation of relevant scholarly literature.
• well-developed and flexible problem-solving abilities appropriate to the discipline.
• the ability to analyse research data within a changing disciplinary environment.
• the capacity to communicate effectively the results of research and scholarship by oral and written communication.
• an understanding of and facility with scholarly conventions in the discipline area.
• a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship.
• a capacity to cooperate with other researchers.
• an ability to manage information effectively, including the application of computer systems and software where appropriate to your field of study.

To be considered for entry, you must have completed: a) a qualifying Australian Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent within the last ten years with a grade point average of 75% or above AND

IELTS (academic English Only): Overall 7.0 (with written 7.0 and no band less than 6.0)
TOEFL Internet-based test: 94 + ; Writing 27; Speaking 18; Reading 13; Listening 13;
Pearson Test of English Academic: 65 + written communicative skill of 65 and no other communicative skill below 50
Cambridge English: Advanced/ Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 185 + no less than 185 in Writing and 169 in each other skill