Master of Social Work

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Social Work qualification is to equip candidates with advanced expertise, knowledge, and research skills in social work. This qualification aims to deepen the learners' understanding of social work principles, theories, and practices, focusing on promoting social change, solving problems in human relationships, and empowering individuals and communities. Learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of human behaviour, social systems, and the interaction between individuals and their environments.

The target candidates for this qualification include practicing social workers seeking to specialise in a sub-field, candidates aiming at an academic career in the field of social work, and professionals looking to enhance their skills and competencies. Completing this qualification will benefit learners by providing them with advanced skills and knowledge, enabling them to assume leadership roles in various sectors such as government, non-governmental organizations and private practice, or entry into an academic career. Additionally, it promotes personal and professional development, aligning with the requirements for continuous professional development (CPD) mandated by the South African Council for Social Services Professions (SACSSP).

The Master of Social Work follows an academic and professional pathway, preparing learners for advanced roles in social work practice, education, and research. After achieving this qualification, graduates will have an in-depth understanding of advanced social work theories and practices, research methodologies, and specialized knowledge in their chosen sub-field of social work. They will be capable of critically analysing and addressing complex social issues, designing and implementing effective interventions, and contributing to the advancement of social work as a profession. Graduates will be responsible for providing high-quality social work services, leading initiatives for social change, and promoting social justice and human rights within their professional practice.

A qualified graduate will be able to

• Apply advanced theories and practices of social work to address complex social issues.
• Conduct rigorous research to inform social work practice and contribute to the body of knowledge in the field.
• Design, implement, and evaluate effective social work interventions.
• Lead and manage social work programs and initiatives within various sectors.
• Advocate for social justice, human rights, and the empowerment of individuals and communities.
• Provide specialized services in their chosen sub-field of social work.

In addition, graduate attributes, including advanced methods, procedures, and techniques in social work, will be integrated into the learning process. This qualification emphasises the importance of accessing, processing, and managing information, producing and communicating information effectively, and adhering to ethical standards in social work practice. Learners will also develop key competencies such as problem-solving, teamwork, self-management, interpreting information, effective communication, and the application of science and technology in social work. These attributes and competencies are essential for professional growth and effective practice in the diverse and dynamic field of social work.

Rationale

The Master of Social Work will provide the necessary advanced expertise, knowledge, and research skills in social work, thereby promoting the achievement of social work's core purposes embedded in the following internationally accepted definition:

The social work profession promotes social change, problem-solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work (International Social Work Association for Schools of Social Work (IASSW) and International Federation of Social Workers

Since social work encompasses such a broad spectrum of themes, fields, and/or interdisciplinary areas, it is essential to provide a qualification that enables candidates to acquire advanced skills, competencies, knowledge, and values in social work as well as a degree of independent thinking. In view of the highly specialised fields in social work, social workers in practice eagerly take up a master's qualification in a sub-field of practice. The primary pathway for obtaining a master's qualification in social work is typically through coursework, emphasizing specialised education and training aligned with various sub-fields of social work practice. This pathway not only caters to professionals seeking specialized skills in social work practice but also serves as an entry point for individuals aspiring to develop as researchers in the field, paving the way for doctoral studies and careers in academia or research.

Social work plays a major role in addressing the many needs of South African society through social work services provided in many sectors such as government departments, business, non-governmental organisations, and in private practice. Dynamic and professionally sound leadership is vital within these sectors in order for social work to impact on social needs.

This social work qualification is also designed to enable candidates to pursue further personal and professional development and to promote life-long learning. Continuous professional development (CPD) is required by the South African Council for Social Services Professions (SACSSP) to practice social work.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.

Research Master's

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 180 Credits

• Dissertation: Social work, 180 Credits

Or

Coursework Master's

Compulsory modules, NQF Level 9, 180 Credits

• Mini-dissertation in Social Work, 90 Credits.

And

Elective Modules, NQF Level 9, 90 Credits (Choose modules from one stream)

Stream One

• Social development 1, 30 Credits.
• Social development 2, 30 Credits.
• Social policy, 30 Credits.

Or

Stream Two

• Social healthcare 1, 30 Credits.
• Social healthcare 2, 30 Credits.
• Social healthcare 3, 30 Credits.
• Social health care: Practical, 30 Credits.

Or

Stream Three

• Play therapy with the child, 30 Credits.
• The child in the family, 30 Credits.
• The child in the community, 30 Credits.
• Play therapy: Practical, 30 Credits.

1. Demonstrate advanced application of concepts, methods, ethics, theories, and analytical processes in relation to a chosen focus area of social work and social welfare.
2. Access, analyse, transform, and critically evaluate existing knowledge.
3. Access, process, produce, and communicate information effectively to colleagues and other groups.
4. Engage in independent social work research and produce findings in the form of a research report, selecting from a range of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques, and technologies in the chosen focus area.
5. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of own position in relation to major debates within social work and the chosen field of social work and social welfare.
6. Demonstrate specialist forefront knowledge and expertise in the chosen field of social work and the competency to apply these creatively within the chosen field.
7. Critically analyse and evaluate the outcomes of social work interventions, techniques, strategies, or processes in the chosen field.
8. Demonstrate advanced understanding of social work values, principles of human rights and social justice, and competency in their application in the chosen focus field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Discuss and reflect on the context (including policy, legislation, and global issues), appropriate concepts, methods, ethics, theories, and analytical processes in the chosen field.
• critically analyse presentations, reflect and apply relevant concepts, methods, ethics, theories, and analytical processes in the chosen field.
• Written work on the chosen field displays a degree of intellectual independence.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Access, analyse, and transform systematically current literature and research in the chosen focus area.
• Evaluate and demonstrate clear evidence of effective application of the principles of social work research practice.
• Use appropriate evidence and arguments to justify conclusions and recommendations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Obtain, process, and communicate information effectively to colleagues and other groups.
• Apply analytical skills in the presentation and display a degree of intellectual independence.
• Convey a written and oral communication nd appropriately highlight the information to specific target groups.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Plan and conduct the research inquiry based on a range of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques, and technologies for the specific research problem.
• Identify and demarcate research themes appropriately
• Analyse the research theme, including a comprehensive and critical review of current literature and investigations.
• Select research methods, techniques, and technologies based on a clear understanding of social work research theory and practice.
• Critically and coherently describe theoretical arguments in research reports, the research process, methodology, results, conclusions and recommendations.
• Apply research report skills in extrapolating key findings, justifiable conclusions, and make feasible recommendations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Motivate own position to specific debates based on a sound integration of relevant theory, practice, research, and a degree of independent, creative thinking.
• Discuss one's own position and its feasibility in relation to major debates.
• Clearly and cogently communicate written and oral explanations of own position.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Analyse the problems and issues, reflect a purposeful and critical application of advanced theory, current knowledge, and expertise in the focus area.
• Intervene and/or recommend purposeful and creative plans to seek solutions based on theory and proven methods in the chosen field.
• Discuss and/or interventions, reflect and apply advanced and appropriate skills, strategies and techniques in accordance with corresponding theoretical assumptions in the chosen field.
• Include the appropriate research and/or interventions and creative use of social work tools and/or data relevant to the chosen field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Evaluate and comprehensively describe outcomes of interventions, techniques, strategies or processes in relation to the stated goals and in accordance with corresponding theoretical assumptions.
• Evaluate and critically analyse outcomes in accordance with the identified needs and issues within the chosen focus area.
• Evaluate and purposefully use as the basis for planning, implementation, and recommendations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Discuss how the integration of social work values with human rights principles and social justice is reflected in the chosen focus field.
• Describe and apply social work values, human rights principles, and social justice in the selected focus field.
• Analyse, reflect and/or practice the purposeful application of social work values, human rights principles and social justice in the selected focus field.
• Analyse and/or practice the ethical principles guiding social work practice in the selected focus field.

Integrated Assessment

The Master of Social Work by research is assessed through a dissertation by independent research on an approved topic in a chosen field of study. The dissertation will be presented to internal as well as external examiners for assessment.

The Master of Social Work by coursework is assessed through both formative and summative assessment (ratio of 40/60%). Assessment is done in both contact and online assessment modalities.

The following integrated assessment methods are used to ensure that exit levels are achieved

• Written assignments and/or assessments.
• Seminars
• Written examinations

An independent research report assessed by two external assessors or an internal assessor and at least one external assessor.