The structure of the professional qualifying MSW will comprise two semesters of full time study (or part time equivalent) in each of Year 1 and Year 2 of the course. Four units of 12.5% weighting will be delivered in Semester 1 of Years 1 and 2 of the MSW. Units delivered in Semester 2 of Years 1 and 2 of the MSW will comprise one fieldwork unit with weighting of 37.5% and one unit of 12.5%.
Regarding the two fieldwork units of 37.5% in the MSW, AASW accreditation requirements are that students undertake a professionally supervised, agency-based field placement of 490 hours in each of Years 1 and 2 of the course. At UTAS, fieldwork placements for students in the MSW program will occur in Semester 2 of each year to coincide with placement of Bachelor of Social Work students.
Regarding the time required to undertake the MSW degree, the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), the accrediting body for this course, says "The acquisition of practice knowledge and skills will take place over at least two years of the educational program' (AASW Education and Accreditation Standards, 2010:10).
