Overview La Trobe's Master of Social Work is for graduates of other disciplines who wish to move into social work from a related area. The course will prepare you to work in direct practice, social policy, social research, organizational planning and administration, and to conduct effective community work. Studying with passionate students from a range of disciplines, our program will encourage you to draw on your relevant experience and challenge the way you think. Throughout the course, you will be guided by highly qualified teaching staff with a wealth of industry experience. You will make new contacts, grow your networks, and acquire the skills you will need to step into a professional practice career in social work. Our curriculum is based on a philosophy of social justice. You will develop the knowledge and skills to work effectively in a range of social policy, community and direct practice areas in the government, community and private sectors. Practical placements allow you to gain valuable skills and experience in the field by working alongside professionals. In each year of your course, you will complete a 70-day block placement during which you will be supervised by a qualified social worker and will work towards developing the skills required for professional practice. You might even choose to complete your placement overseas with one of our partner organizations in Fiji, Timor Lester, Macau, or the Philippines. You will have the opportunity to work in diverse and challenging fields of practice including community development, advocacy, research, mental health, education, child and family, disability, health and youth. As a graduate, you can choose to move into areas such as hospitals and community based health services, disability, substance abuse, child protection and family care, aged care, housing services, mental health, family services, psychiatric services, protective services, refugee and asylum seeker support services, local government, community work, social justice advocacy and counseling services. You can study the course for two years full-time or three to four years part-time at our Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Melbourne and Mildura campuses. The qualification awarded on graduation is recognized in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 9. Professional Recognition ​ The Master of Social Work is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Membership may require an application to the professional body and may have additional or ongoing requirements beyond the completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details. Career outcomes Our graduates find work in a diverse and rewarding range of contexts including social policy, community and direct practice. They have gone on to work at organizations such as Oxfam, World Vision, Anglicare, Centre link and the Department of Human Services, as well as various health services and hospitals, in Australia and overseas. When you graduate you’ll be prepared to take on roles in a range of specialist areas including child protection and family services, aged care, Indigenous support, housing services, mental health, family services, protective services, refugee and asylum seeker support services, social justice advocacy and more. The curriculum is based on a philosophy of social justice. The course will prepare you to work in social policy, social research, organizational planning and administration, and to conduct effective community work. You'll also get hands-on experience during your practical placement.