Counselling Social Work - 8930
Program Summary
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Contact: Associate Professor Jan Breckenridge
Campus: Sydney
Career: Postgraduate
Typical Duration: 2 Years 
Typical UOC Per Semester: 12
Min UOC Per Semester: 6
Max UOC Per Semester: 12
Min UOC For Award: 48
Award(s):
Master of Counselling Social Work
View program information for previous years
Program Description
This program is not available to International applicants. It is not a full-time program.
The Master of Counselling Social Work (MCSW) is a 2-year part-time program offered through the School of Social Sciences. Please note that the intake for this program occurs every 2nd year. The next intake of commencing students will be for Semester 1, 2017.
The MCSW is designed for practising social workers, to consolidate and extend counselling knowledge and skills. Two commitments provide the cohering framework of the program - the first is to family-sensitive practice, and the second is to counselling methods that are orientated to clients' strengths and that promote resilience.
The MCSW develops students' knowledge and skills in counselling by building on professional social work experience and providing a systemic and relational orientation to counselling. During the program, students study a number of counselling approaches and apply these approaches to their own counselling practice. The MCSW addresses key aspects of selected frameworks relevant to social work practice. These include systemic psychotherapy, narrative therapy, cognitive-behaviour therapy and trauma-based approaches. Students have the opportunity to engage in in-depth analysis of their own counselling practice in peer and supervisor-led case discussion groups. In both theory seminars and practice seminars, a participatory format is used to assist students to integrate ideas with their own counselling orientation.
The Master of Counselling Social Work (MCSW) is a 2-year part-time program offered through the School of Social Sciences. Please note that the intake for this program occurs every 2nd year. The next intake of commencing students will be for Semester 1, 2017.
The MCSW is designed for practising social workers, to consolidate and extend counselling knowledge and skills. Two commitments provide the cohering framework of the program - the first is to family-sensitive practice, and the second is to counselling methods that are orientated to clients' strengths and that promote resilience.
The MCSW develops students' knowledge and skills in counselling by building on professional social work experience and providing a systemic and relational orientation to counselling. During the program, students study a number of counselling approaches and apply these approaches to their own counselling practice. The MCSW addresses key aspects of selected frameworks relevant to social work practice. These include systemic psychotherapy, narrative therapy, cognitive-behaviour therapy and trauma-based approaches. Students have the opportunity to engage in in-depth analysis of their own counselling practice in peer and supervisor-led case discussion groups. In both theory seminars and practice seminars, a participatory format is used to assist students to integrate ideas with their own counselling orientation.
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
The Masters program is designed for social workers who want to consolidate and extend their knowledge and skills in counselling practice. Objectives include the development of knowledge of counselling frameworks consistent with a strengths-based and family-sensitive approach, the development of clinical skills, and the development of an appreciation of the research process in this field.
Program Structure
Students are required to complete 6 courses (48 units of credit) over 2 years.
An exit-only Graduate Diploma in Counselling Social Work (5930) is available on completion of 36 units of credit.
Students who achieve a minimum distinction-level average in courses totalling 18 UOC are eligible to apply to substitute the 12 UOC course SOCF5107 Professional Practice Research Project for the courses SOCF5105 and SOCF5106. Admission will be at the discretion of the program convenor. Students who complete SOCF5107 at distinction level or above will meet the research training entry requirement for doctoral study (PhD or Doctor of Social Work DSW).
Two capstone courses, SOCF5105 and SOCF5106, draw together the various strands of the program and focus on the broader context of counselling in social work settings.
An exit-only Graduate Diploma in Counselling Social Work (5930) is available on completion of 36 units of credit.
Students who achieve a minimum distinction-level average in courses totalling 18 UOC are eligible to apply to substitute the 12 UOC course SOCF5107 Professional Practice Research Project for the courses SOCF5105 and SOCF5106. Admission will be at the discretion of the program convenor. Students who complete SOCF5107 at distinction level or above will meet the research training entry requirement for doctoral study (PhD or Doctor of Social Work DSW).
Two capstone courses, SOCF5105 and SOCF5106, draw together the various strands of the program and focus on the broader context of counselling in social work settings.
Year 1
Semester 1
- SOCF5101 Relational Contexts (12 UOC)
Semester 2
Year 2
Semester 1
Semester 2
- SOCF5105 Counselling Practice B (6 UOC)
- SOCF5106 Selected Practice Topics (6 UOC)
Note: Some courses are subject to prerequisite and corequisite requirements.
ARTS5503 Academic Writing for the Humanities (6 UOC)
ARTS5505 Personalised English Language Enhancement (6 UOC)
These courses, ARTS5503 and ARTS5505, can be taken as additional courses but will not count towards your program.
Academic Rules
Please refer to Program Structure for the academic requirements relating to this program.
Credit Transfer
If you are seeking credit transfer you must submit documentary evidence of courses completed at the time of initial enrolment. 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).
Award with Excellence
You are eligible for the award of a degree "with Excellence" if you achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 80 in all courses and complete at least 50% of the requirements of your award at UNSW.
Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: UNSW Fee Website.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for the new Master of Counselling Social Work are as follows:
- An undergraduate degree,
- 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 8 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.
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 8 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.
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