Acquire highly developed knowledge and skills to improve the quality of life of individuals and the community. Undertake research projects in the workplace that link practice and learning with professional development, and develop your critical, conceptual and analytical skills. Our purpose-built children's services and interactive laboratory for social work and psychology will help you to focus on assisting and empowering others.

An alternative pathway into the course is to complete the first semester of the Master of Social Work and then apply for a transfer.

• Location:
  Footscray Park
• Other locations:

  (with options at City Flinders and Footscray Park).

• Faculty:
  Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development
• School:
  School of Social Sciences and Psychology
• Study mode:
  Full Time and Part Time
• Delivery mode:
  On campus
• Course code:
  AZSW
• Duration:
  3 years
• This information is for Australian residents.
  Click here to search for courses available to non-residents

How to apply

• ·         director of health programs and services
• ·         health and family policy maker
• ·         family services researcher
• ·         senior social work practitioner

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

The professional doctorate in social work aims to provide qualified and experienced social workers with opportunities to:

1. Extend understandings of research, theory and social policy, as they relate to social work practice, to expert levels of scholarship;
2. Develop advanced skills in independent practice-based social research; and
3. Make a significant original contribution to the existing body of social work knowledge and practice.

• Policy Context of Professional Practice

  Unit code

  AER8510

  Credits

  24

• Community Services (Ideologies in Practice)

  Unit code

  ASH5001

  Credits

  12

• Supervision for Professional Practice in Community Services

  Unit code

  ASH5003

  Credits

  12

• Investigating Professional Practice

  Unit code

  AER8517

  Credits

  24

• Researching Professional Practice

  Unit code

  AER8518

  Credits

  24

• Thesis (Full-Time)

  Unit code

  ASD7000

  Credits

  48

• Thesis (Full-Time)

  Unit code

  ASD7000

  Credits

  48

• Thesis (Full-Time)

  Unit code

  ASD7000

  Credits

  48

• Thesis (Full-Time)

  Unit code

  ASD7000

  Credits

  48

• Thesis (Full-Time)

  Unit code

  ASD7000

  Credits

  48

• Thesis (Part-Time)

  Unit code

  ASD7001

  Credits

  24

Students must complete 288 credit points

• Mature: Professional Qualification (MSW) and five years practice with at least two years as senior practitioner.