Master of Social Work

at University of South Australia - Magill Campus Australia

This unique double degree will prepare you to work as a human services professional and develop services and support for individuals and communities that experience disadvantage, personal and social difficulties.

The human services field is a rapidly growing sector of the Australian economy and an emerging area of global focus. Employers, both in Australia and internationally, are increasingly seeking skilled human service practitioners who are culturally and linguistically diverse. Graduates with a strong grasp of professional English, social policy skills, intercultural communication skills and proficiency in a second language are in high demand.

You will graduate with skills in research, policy and project management, tailored to your area of interest based on your choice of Arts majors, choosing from Languages (English Language; French, Italian or Japanese Studies); Sociology; or Linguistics. Through 560 hours of supervised work placement you will be ready to work in a wide range of jobs in human services and community development.

Language students will also be given the opportunity to immerse themselves in their chosen language and culture through our exchange and in-country study programs.

What you'll learn

You will develop the skills, knowledge and intercultural expertise to support individuals, families, groups and communities both locally and internationally in the community aid and humanitarian sector.

You will also gain diverse knowledge in political, behavioural and social sciences, all within the context of human services. To complement your studies in Human Services, you will complete two Arts majors, choosing from Languages (English Language; French, Italian or Japanese Studies); Sociology; or Linguistics.

This degree provides you with a sound knowledge of the political, behavioural and social sciences, and equips you with the skills needed for professional practice in the human services field as an accredited community worker, policy advocate or manager of human services.

This degree has been developed around the following four major areas of study:

• Behavioural and social sciences
• Human service practice
• Human service management
• Social policy.

Become even more employable by combining your Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services) degree with another degree. With just one year of extra study you can graduate with an additional Bachelor of Psychology or Bachelor of Arts qualification. You can discuss the possibilities with Campus Central. 

As a student studying the Creative Writing and Literature major you will explore historical and contemporary fiction, non-fiction, poetry, autobiographies, essays, films and plays.

What you'll learn

The Creative Writing and Literature major allows you to delve into a variety of creative forms and texts. You will study historical and contemporary fiction, non-fiction, poetry, autobiographies, essays, films, and plays. As you begin to create your own great classics, you will also learn how different written and multimedia texts have impacted cultures around the world. Under the guidance of highly experienced academics:

• Develop analytical skills
• Develop creative writing skills
• Explore how different written and multimedia texts have impacted on the cultures of the world.

This degree provides a balance of courses in psychology theory and counselling – for graduates this means you will enter the workforce with a strong understanding of psychology, as well as the analytical, communication and interpersonal skills needed to work with individuals, groups and communities.

You will study a range of topics, including counselling and interpersonal skills; psychological theory; and specialist psychology courses. You will also be encouraged to engage in research projects and participate in community service activities, and through industry placements in your third year of study you will gain valuable practical experience. Practical learning is a key focus of this degree, it enhances your work-readiness. The value of this study component has been recognised nationally in the form of an award from the Australian Federal Government Office of Teaching and Learning.

What you'll learn

This is a specialised degree that will provide you with a solid understanding of the theory associated with psychology and counselling, as well as critical and analytical thinking skills, data management skills and research skills. You will study a range of courses that cover behavioural research methodologies, cognitive and technical skills and counselling practice.

You will apply your knowledge in a real-world environment when you complete an industry placement during your final year of study.

You will also have the opportunity to further explore specific areas of interest with a series of specialist psychology courses (these courses are subject to student demand and staff availability). The courses include:

• Advanced Research Methods
• Psychophysiology of Sleep
• Health Psychology
• Conservation Psychology
• Language, Context and Social Behaviour
• Work and Organisational Psychology

The English Language major will equip you with communicative proficiency and intercultural expertise to work in local and global contexts.

You will:

• Develop advanced level English skills to equip you as a career-ready professional
• Gain intercultural expertise to work internationally in a wide range of contexts
• Develop research and project management skills to help you pursue honours, research or postgraduate studies
• Gain a high-level understanding of how English affects the experience of individuals and communities globally.

What you'll learn

The English Language major will equip you with communicative proficiency and intercultural expertise to work in local and global contexts.

This industry-relevant postgraduate qualification is for students who have already completed a three-year bachelor degree and would like to increase their employment prospects with a teaching qualification specialising in primary education.

What you'll learn

This degree has been designed to develop skilled, committed and flexible primary school educators.

The focus is on practical learning and you will gain the skills needed to teach across the core curriculum learning areas in schools from Reception to Year Seven. There are three major study areas:

• Curriculum studies
• Professional experience
• Education studies

Investigate the interaction between brain function and human behaviour when you study South Australia’s only cognitive neuroscience degree.

This exciting degree integrates psychology and biology, preparing you for a rewarding and stimulating career in neuropsychology. You will learn the information needed for a career in this specialisation, as well as gain practical experience in our on-campus facilities and dedicated laboratories.

What you'll learn

At the completion of this degree you will have a sound knowledge of psychology, combined with specialist knowledge and research skills in cognitive neuroscience. You will also study a combination of specialist psychology courses, electives and courses from the Cognitive Neuroscience major.

Based at the Magill campus, this degree offers Honours with a difference. Graduate ready to teach, with enhanced career opportunities, and the added benefit of graduating with a professional Honours degree. You will graduate skilled, confident and ready to pursue your teaching career in primary education (F-6).

The Bachelor of Primary Education (Honours) is a four-year professional degree solely focused on teaching that will equip you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to thrive as a contemporary educator in junior primary and primary settings.

As well as real-world experience, you will be given the opportunity to fine-tune your learning with a primary specialism, focusing on a particular Learning Area aligned with the Australian Curriculum:

• Arts
• Design and Technology
• English
• Health and Physical Education
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Languages
• Mathematics
• Religious Education (Catholic Studies)
• Science

What you'll learn

This unique double degree will provide you with expertise in the science of exercise and sport, human thought and behaviour. You’ll develop cognitive and creative skills to solve real-world scientific problems and apply your knowledge in diverse contexts such as sports and mental health.  

You'll learn how to provide exercise advice, deliver strength and conditioning services, do biomechanical analyses, and share skill acquisition knowledge to enhance people's physical and mental wellbeing from children, to elite athletes, to older people. 

Your courses in psychology theory and counselling will help you enter the workforce with a strong understanding of the analytical, communication and interpersonal skills needed to work with individuals, groups and communities.

In the first two years, you’ll study exercise and sport science courses, with an introduction to psychology, which will give you a solid understanding of:

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Fundamental movement skills
• Skill acquisition
• Physical activity and health

The third and fourth years have a strong practical focus. You’ll develop critical thinking and practice-based skills to:

• Develop influencing skills and intervention strategies
• Gain knowledge of psychological disorders, including their causes and range of treatments
• Study the relationship between psychology and physical activity

Based at the Magill campus, this education degree offers Honours with a difference. Graduate ready to teach, with enhanced career opportunities and the added benefit of graduating with a professional Honours degree. You will graduate skilled, confident and ready to pursue your teaching career in early childhood or primary education (birth to 8 years of age).

This industry-relevant degree is a four-year professional degree solely focused on teaching, that will equip you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to thrive as a contemporary teacher in childcare, preschool, and junior primary settings.

What you'll learn

The aim of this degree is to provide you with knowledge across a range of contexts. The learning is largely practically-based, and centres heavily on the principles and concepts relating to early childhood development and learning, as well as curriculum planning for learners aged from birth to eight years of age. The four key components of the curriculum include:

• Primary specialism
• Curriculum studies
• Professional experience
• Education studies