Master of Social Policy

at University of Melbourne

200 point program (2 years full-time or part-time equivalent)
 

This is our most popular program for those who have completed undergraduate study. No experience is necessary.
 

FIRST 100 POINTS
 

• 25 points of Compulsory subjects

• 75 points of Elective subjects
   

SECOND 100 POINTS
 

• 25 points of Compulsory subjects

AND

• 75 points of Elective subjects (Coursework option)

OR

• 37.5 points of Minor Thesis subjects (Thesis option)

• 12.5 point Core subject (Thesis option)

• 25 points of Elective subjects (Thesis option)
   

150 point program (1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent)
 

This program is for graduates with relevant background studies.
 

• 50 points of Compulsory subjects

AND

• 100 points of Elective subjects (Coursework option)

OR

• 37.5 points of Minor Thesis subjects (Thesis option)

• 12.5 point Core subjects (Thesis option)

• 50 points of Elective subjects (Thesis option)
   

100 point program (1 year full-time or part-time equivalent)
 

This is for relevant honours graduates or those who have completed at least two years professional work experience in a closely related field, in addition to relevant background study.
 

• 50 points of Compulsory subjects

AND

• 50 points of Elective subjects (Coursework option)

OR

• 37.5 points of Minor Thesis subjects (Thesis option)

• 12.5 point Core subject (Thesis option)
   

Capstone requirement
 

Students must complete one of three available Capstone streams for this degree (some are Coursework-based and some are Thesis-based). For more information on subjects, Capstone streams, and detailed information, please view the Handbook entry for this course.
 

Students must complete 25 points of compulsory subjects from this list in the first 100 points of the program.
 

• Social Research Design and Evaluation

• 12.5 pts
   

• Foundations of Social Policy

• 12.5 pts
   

Students must complete 75 points of elective subjects in the first 100 points of the program and 75 points of elective subjects in the second 100 points of the program (coursework option) or 75 points in the first 100 points of the program and 25 points in the second 100 points of the program (minor thesis option).
 

• Understanding The Life Course

• 12.5 pts
   

• International Migration

• 12.5 pts
   

• Inclusive Policy Development

• 12.5 pts
   

• Social Policy Internship

• 25 pts
   

• Indigenous Policy Analysis

• 12.5 pts
   

• Social Policy Special Topics B

• 12.5 pts
   

• Project-based Policy Analysis

• 25 pts
   

• Social Justice: Policy and Practice

• 12.5 pts
   

• Public Consultation & Policy Negotiation

• 12.5 pts
   

• Business and Government

• 12.5 pts
   

• International Policymaking in Practice

• 12.5 pts
   

• Migration and Development

• 12.5 pts
   

• Social Policy and Development

• 12.5 pts
   

• Monitoring and Evaluation in Development

• 12.5 pts
   

• Civil Society, NGOs and the State

• 12.5 pts
   

• Gender, Globalisation and Development

• 12.5 pts
   

• Queer Studies: Identities & Sexualities

• 12.5 pts
   

• Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective

• 12.5 pts
   

• Qualitative Research Methods

• 12.5 pts
   

• Drugs and Justice

• 12.5 pts
   

• Punishment and Detention: New Challenges

• 12.5 pts
   

• Research and Criminal Justice Governance

• 12.5 pts
   

This capstone stream gives students an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in social policy practice to solve problems that arise in professional contexts and develop an integrated understanding of research and practice.
 

• Social Policy Internship

• 25 pts
   

This capstone stream gives students an opportunity to work in a team-based project where knowledge and skills are applied to a practical project under the supervision of an academic and practitioner expert.
 

• Project-based Policy Analysis

• 25 pts

In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
 

• An undergraduate degree in any discipline with at least an H2B (70%) weighted average, or equivalent
   

Meeting this requirement does not guarantee selection.
 

In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
 

• Prior academic performance; and

• Relevance of previous studies
   

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
 

The minimum Graduate English language requirements for this course are Band 6.5.
 

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 50 points of credit:
 

• An undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with at least an H2B (70%) weighted average, or equivalent
   

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 100 points of credit:
 

• An honours degree in a cognate discipline with at least an H2B (70%) weighted average, or equivalent; or

• An undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with at least an H2B (70%) weighted average, or equivalent, and at least two years of documented, relevant work experience
   

Applicants seeking credit must provide the following documentation in support of their application for the recognition of prior professional experience:
 

• Brief curriculum vitae, detailing work experience

• Contact details of two referees

• A covering letter outlining the applicants professional background and how this prepares them to successfully undertake the program
   

In some cases, an interview and / or two reference letters from employers / managers detailing the period of employment and areas of responsibility, and / or evidence of written work or reports undertaken during the period of employment may be requested.

• Indicative first year fee AUD$39,488
   
• Indicative total course fee AUD$80,950

The Master of Social Policy develops you professional knowledge and prepares you for work in fields including:
 

• Community, state and national government

• Policy design

• Social administration and welfare work

• Policy analysis

• Management
   

Graduates have also gone on to work in global organisations including:
 

• Australian Bureau of Statistics

• Brotherhood of St Laurence

• Centrelink

• KPMG

• Salvation Army

• Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc

• Victorian Human Rights Commission