Graduate Certificate in Social Science
Duration: 1 semester
Credit points: 24
Intake: February and July
Delivery: On campus
Available to: Domestic and international
CRICOS CODE: 108832G
IELTS: 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
AQF: Level 8
Tuition Fee: Domestic students: $9,000 International students: $10,260
Enquiry form
Course overview
Suitability
Applicants who have been assessed for the MSW(Q) and require to complete the Graduate Certificate for entry.
Sociology for Social Work
This unit focuses on introducing students to central concepts and theories in sociology and their relevance for social work. It provides for the use of critical thinking to explore social issues and how these impact service users. It introduces students to the founding theorists in sociology and the impact of these on our understanding of society. The unit explores our understanding of social stratification including key concepts of class, gender, ethnicity, family, youth, work etc. The key issues of poverty, diversity, crime, and deviance are explored in the unit. The importance of developing a ‘sociological imagination’ and how that transforms our understanding of our social world and what that means for social work is explored.
Psychology for Social Work
The unit provides students with an introduction to psychology and the key theories central to social work practice. The importance of developmental psychology for social work is outlined. The unit also focuses on theory of life course, temperament, and attachment; learning theories (classical and operant conditioning) memory; personality; social psychology; motivation; and abnormal psychology.
Social and Political Institutions in Australia
This unit is to provide students with an introduction to the key social and political institutions in Australia. While Australia was in essence ‘born’ a modern democracy, becoming a nation on January 1, 1901, it had both a long history of Aboriginal sovereignty and colonial invasion. Australia developed its social and political institutions within the framework of British traditions, laws, and perspectives. Australia also borrowed heavily from other democracies, particularly the USA. The unit will examine the formal political institutions that characterise Australia, focusing on the Australian Constitution, Parliament, the High Court, role of the Governor-General, Federal–State relations, etc. It will also focus on the social institutions that provide the basic framework for our wellbeing – education, health, housing, social security, employment, personal and community security.
Critical Thinking and Reflection in Social Work
This unit is designed to introduce students to concepts of critical thinking and self-reflection in the context of social work. This unit will provide them with the skills, tools and sets of knowledge to understand, identify, and work through the cultural, gendered, and political framework which underpins the context of learning. Studying social work requires that students are able to utilise self-reflection and demonstrate awareness of this practice and how it impacts both their direct and indirect practice, how these practices enhance their learning and development, and how these practices steer them towards strategies for exploring complex ideas. The unit will specifically focus on the cultural and gender issues that exist in learning and will provide a forum for students to work through these in preparing for their social work course. Students will develop insight and specific skills to develop the ability to undertake both self-reflection and critical analysis.
Entry requirements
Educational Prerequisites (DIRECT ENTRY)
Applicants may be admitted to the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) if they have previously successfully completed a relevant bachelor (AQF Level 7) degree course that contains at least one year, or the equivalent (8 units) of full-time studies in the social and behavioural sciences, as required by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Units from the following broad fields may be considered:
• Psychology
• Sociology
• History
• Media and arts
• Community and welfare studies
• Human development
• Gender studies
• Nursing, allied health
• Anthropology
• Law
• Counselling
• Philosophy
• Politics
Educational Prerequisites (pathway ENTRY)
Applicants may be admitted to the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) if they have successfully completed a relevant bachelor (AQF Level 7) degree course with 4 units from the above list and the Graduate Certificate in Social Science.
Suitability Assessment
Criminal History Record: Provide a National Criminal History Record check at time of application obtainable from: nationalcrimecheck.com.au
Working with Children Check: Provide a Working with Children authorisation at time of application obtainable from: wwccheck.ccyp.nsw.gov.au/Applicants/Application
International Students
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is available to international students, subject to satisfying the aforementioned admission criteria.
In addition to meeting the educational prerequisites above, international applicants who have not completed an educational qualification in English must provide proof of proficiency in English through internationally recognised tests such as IELTS or TOEFL, or through satisfactory completion of an approved course at one of the College’s partner language colleges.
Examination Minimum Score
IELTS: 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
OR meet the exemption requirement below
• Demonstration that you have been taught, assessed and completed all your secondary education in English in the nominated countries* AND successfully completed (with a pass grade or higher) the equivalent of three years or more full-time tertiary study (at bachelor degree level or higher) which was taught and assessed in English in nominated countries*
Nominated countries include:
• Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America
The AASW reserves the right to ask an applicant to take the Academic IELTS examination if there is uncertainty about their level of English proficiency.
For other ways of demonstrating English Language Proficiency visit excelsia.edu.au/study/international-students/.
Overseas students applying for admission to Excelsia College courses must have reached the age of 18 years by the commencement of their studies. Excelsia College will not admit overseas students who have not yet reached 18 years of age.
For more information visit the excelsia.edu.au/study/international-students/application-guide-for-international-students/.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Please refer to the Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy reference.
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