Handbook

The admission requirements for the new Master of Counselling Social Work are as follows:

• A UNSW Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) degree or equivalent qualification
• Eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), meeting professional association requirements including professional development and supervision
• Two years of specialised counselling practice experience ensuring that students in the program are already skilled clinicians
• Current employment in an organisational context where prospective students are able to provide counselling, case management or other direct practice interventions with clients. This is in contrast to social workers who may have worked primarily in administrative or management roles.

Admission is subject to quota. Applications must include a brief curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of at least two professional referees.

Eligibility of the AASW ensures that students are professional social workers, are committed to the values and ethics of the profession and have had prior education in social work practice methods including counselling. The AASW also expects social workers to have participated in professional development activities (of up to 50 hours per year) and to have received professional supervision.

These criteria ensure that applicants meet Level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and have the skills and knowledge to be capable of reaching the specified Learning Outcomes within the volume of learning of a 48 UOC Masters program.

If you are seeking credit transfer you must submit documentary evidence of courses completed at the time of initial enrollment. Faculty will then determine the number of units of credit to be granted. Credit transfer will not be granted for courses completed more than ten years previously. The maximum credit transfer for a Masters is 18 UOC (equivalent to three courses).

An exit-only Graduate Diploma in Counselling Social Work (5930) is available on completion of 36 units of credit.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression