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Master of Social Science (Family Therapy) 

N0911

Campus Availability

Study Mode

Study Level

Duration

Intakes

External Venue, Hawthorn

Part-time (day & evening), Part-time (weekend)

Postgraduate

Three years part-time.

Feb, Aug

The Master of Social Science (Family Therapy) program provides graduates with an advanced postgraduate degree in family therapy. Training in family therapy develops systemic thinking and understanding of complex social/relational processes including the emotional impact of social groups and family life on individual mental health and wellbeing. Competency in systemic thinking and practices allows students to contribute to and facilitate change processes in social contexts and has direct applications across a broad range of workplaces and client populations. Case work with families, family-sensitive practice and collaborative partnerships with families in social service, education and mental health service provisions are all underpinned by the ideas and skills of family therapy.
 
Current students and previous graduates of the Gradaute Diploma of Science (Family Therapy) are welcome to apply for entry at Stage 3 level.


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The philosophy underpinning this training program presumes that therapeutic competence is increased when the therapist has a flexible variety of options for the therapeutic context. The systemic emphasis of this training program is complementary to, and is enriched by other therapeutic methodologies, whether intrapsychic or interpersonal, so that other therapeutic approaches are integrated rather than excluded as the student is encouraged to focus on the clinical skills of working with human systems.

This program provides advanced level family therapy skills training, theoretical knowledge in family systems and builds on the students’ existing counselling experience and training. Each student is expected to formulate their own learning plan and during the program will reflect on and articulate their individual development as qualified family therapists or more generalist workers within the family setting.

The program takes the development of therapeutic skills in systemic therapy to a high level, such that graduates will be immediately able to work effectively with families with complex presentations. A special focus for this program will be on serious family dysfunction and families surviving loss and trauma.


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Program Structure for students commencing from 2010 onwards
 
The Master of Social Science (Family Therapy) is a nested program incorporating the Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Family Therapy) and Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Family Therapy) programs. All three programs are only offered on a part-time basis and, dependent on numbers, day and/or evening classes will be available.

The Master of Social Science (Family Therapy) program totals 150 credit points (cp), comprising 14 units of study. In each year, 50 cp (25 cp) each semester) constitutes a part-time load.

Classes may be conducted at venues other than the Hawthorn Campus i.e
Williams Road Family Therapy Centre 3 Williams Road Windsor Vic 3181
OR
Barwon Health - Swanston Centre Cnr Myers Road and Swanston Street Geelong Vic 3220
 
Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Family Therapy) – Stage 1, Year 1
Semester 1
HAW410 Family Therapy Theory 1 (12.5cp)
HAW411 Family Therapy Application 1 (12.5cp)
Semester 2
HAW412 Family Therapy Theory 2 (12.5cp)
HAW413 Family Therapy Application 2 (12.5cp)

Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Family Therapy) – Stage 2, Year 2
Semester 1
HAW420 Special Issues in Family Therapy 1 (6.25cp)
HAW421 Family Therapy Application 3 (12.5cp)
HAW422 Clinical Supervision 1 (6.25cp)
Semester 2
HAW423 Special Issues in Family Therapy 2 (6.25cp)
HAW424 Family Therapy Application 4 (12.5cp)
HAW425 Clinical Supervision 2 (6.25cp)

Master of Social Science (Family Therapy) - Stage 3, Year 3
Semester 1
HAW510 Systemic Approaches to Attachment and Development (12.5cp)
HAW511 Supervision and Clinical Teamwork 1 (12.5cp)
Semester 2
HAW512 Families Surviving Grief, Loss and Trauma (12.5cp)
HAW513 Supervision and Clinical Teamwork 2 (12.5cp)


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Graduates will be qualified for work in government and non-government agencies. They will be eligible for positions in family support, child protection, family counselling and mediation, Family Court counselling, marriage guidance and dispute resolution centres. They will also be sought for positions in school counselling, trauma debriefing and centres against sexual assault.


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The Master of Social Science (Family Therapy) is designed to meet the requirements for Clinical Membership of the Victorian Association of Family Therapists. The program also seeks to meet the minimum training standards of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), with the exception of the requirement of 200 hours of client contact. The remaining 128 hours of client contact may be completed by students following the program.


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Graduates are:
  • capable in their chosen professional area
  • adaptable and ethical at work
  • able to conduct professional counselling with individuals and groups
  • competent to conduct personality and intellectual assessments
  • able to conduct applied research and evaluate programs


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Stage 1 entry (Graduate Certificate level)
 
  • Successful completion of a four-day intensive program offered by Williams Road Family Therapy Centre
  • A minimum three-year degree from an Australian university or approved equivalent. While no specific area of study is required as a prerequisite, preference may be given to those with experience in family therapy.
Selection is based on an interview and the applicant’s suitability for the program as determined by academic and work experience, referee reports, and the stated reasons for wishing to undertake the program. Students will also be expected to bring clients for live supervision sessions.
 
Stage 3 entry (Masters level)
Current students and previous graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Science (Family Therapy) are welcome to apply for entry at Stage 3 level.
 
 


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Stage 3 entry (Masters level)
Current students and previous graduates of the Gradaute Diploma of Science (Family Therapy) are welcome to apply for entry at Stage 3 level.


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In 2010, tuition fees for this program are based on $1500 per 12.5 credit point unit of study. In the event that a unit of study is derived from another program, the applicable fee will be that of the other program. All fees are reviewed each year and may increase without notice.

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. FEE-HELP (previously PELS) – is available to eligible fee paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $81,600 from 1 January 2008). The FEE-HELP limit is indexed on 1 January each year.
Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount.
For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au


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Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.swin.edu.au/hed/postgrad/postgrad_application.pdf
 
2010 Closing Dates: 6 November 2009 (Round 1), 29 January 2010 (Round 2) for start 1 March 2010


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Web: Enquire online
Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)
Email: postgrad@swinburne.edu.au


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