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Doctor of Social Work

Resolutions of the Senate


These resolutions relating to the Doctor of Social Work are amended, with effect from 1 January 2001.

1 Course codes

Code

Course title

ZB001

Doctor of Social Work

2 Applications

(1)
An applicant for admission to candidature shall:
(a)
lodge an application with the Faculty of Education and Social Work;
(b)
submit with the application an outline of the proposed course of advanced study and research, including the area of the proposed thesis, proposals for the practicum and proposals for related coursework units of study; and
(c)
have been in full-time employment in Social Work for a minimum of four years.
(2)
An applicant for admission to part-time candidature shall submit with the application a written undertaking that the applicant will:
(a)
have sufficient time available to complete the requirements for the degree in accordance with section 10(2) and within the maximum period prescribed in section 10(3) of these resolutions; and
(b)
be able to attend at the University at such times and on such occasions for purposes of consultation and participation in Faculty activities, as may be required by the Faculty.

3 Admission to candidature

The Faculty may admit an applicant to candidature for the degree if:
(a)
the candidature's application complies with section 2, and
(b)
(except as provided in section 4 of these resolutions) the applicant holds or has fulfilled the requirements for:
(i)  the degree of Bachelor of Social Work of the University of Sydney with First Class Honours or Second Class Honours, Division 1, or
(ii)  the degree of Master of Social Work with Merit or the degree or Master of Philosophy in Social Work of the University of Sydney.

4 Admission to candidature

The Faculty may admit to candidature for the degree an applicant whose application complies with section 2, and who is either:
(a)
a social work graduate of another university or tertiary education institution: or
(b)
a person accepted by the Faculty as having standing equivalent to that required of a social work graduate of the University who is qualified for admission to candidature for the degree; and
(c)
is recommended by the Faculty as being suitably prepared in the particular field of study in which the applicant proposes to be a candidate.

5 Studies during the candidature

(1)
Except with the permission of the Faculty, a candidate will pursue an approved course of advanced study, professional practice and research, comprising:
(a)
six graduate semester units of study at the doctoral degree level including:
(i)  a unit of study examining aspects of current social work professional theory and practice,
(ii)  a unit of study dealing with research methods appropriate to examining social work practice,
(iii)  a unit of study dealing with social policy,
(iv)  an additional unit of study in one of the areas contained in paragraphs (I), (II) and (III); and
(v)  two units of study related to the areas of the proposed practice development research and the thesis; and
(b)
a thesis of approximately 50,000 words (or equivalent) in length investigating a specific aspect or specific aspects of social work professional practice related to the practice development research and approved by the Faculty.
(2)
The Faculty may grant credit for a maximum of three postgraduate course units for units of study undertaken elsewhere at this University or at another university which are considered to be equivalent to units of study to be undertaken in accordance with section 5(1)(b), provided that:
(a)
no unit of study for which credit is granted has been a basis for the award of any other award;
(b)
each unit of study is passed at a level, or with such additional assessment or other requirements, as may be determined by the Faculty in each case; and
(c)
each unit of study was completed within the four years immediately preceding the commencement of candidature for the degree of Doctor of Social Work.
(3)
The Faculty may approve a variation in a candidate's units of study and research.

6 Credit for previous studies

(1)
Coursework degrees The Faculty may grant a candidate credit for:
(a)
up to three postgraduate coursework units of study, and two postgraduate research units of study in respect of units of study completed for the degree of Master of Social Work in this University; or
(b)
up to two postgraduate coursework units of study in respect of units of study completed elsewhere in this University or at another university, provided that:
(i)  no unit of study for which credit is granted has been a basis for the award of any other award;
(ii)  the units of study were passed at a level or with such additional assessment or other requirements as may be determined by the Faculty in each case;
(iii)  the units of study were completed within six years immediately preceding the commencement of candidature for the degree of Doctor of Social Work; and
(iv)  each unit of study falls within the scope of the approved course of study and research under section 5.
(2)
Research degrees The Faculty may grant credit for the whole or any part of a period of candidature undertaken for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Social Work or the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts provided that the candidate has abandoned candidature for the degree for which credit is sought and the period of candidature for which credit is sought:
(a)
involved a course of advanced study and research related to the candidate's proposed course of advanced study and research for the degree of Doctor of Social Work; and
(b)
was taken within six years immediately preceding the commencement of candidature for the degree of Doctor of Social Work.

7 The thesis

(1)
The candidate shall present a thesis of approximately 50,000 words (or equivalent) in length, which shall be substantial and original contribution to the subject concerned. The candidate shall state the sources from which the information is derived, the extent to which the work of others has been made use of, and the portion of the work the candidate claims as original.
(2)
The topic of the thesis shall be approved by the Faculty.
(3)
The Faculty shall appoint a supervisor who shall be a member of the academic staff of the department. In appropriate cases the Faculty may appoint an associate supervisor.
(4)
A candidate may not present as the thesis any work which has been presented for a degree at this or another university, but the candidate will not be precluded from incorporating such work in the thesis, provided that, in presenting the thesis, the candidate indicates the part of the work which has been so incorporated.
(5)
A candidate shall submit to the Faculty four copies of the thesis in a form prescribed by the Faculty.
(6)
The thesis shall be accompanied by a certificate from the supervisor stating whether, in the supervisor's opinion, the form of presentation of the thesis is satisfactory.
(7)
When the degree has been awarded, a copy of the thesis incorporating any required emendations and revisions shall be lodged in the University Library.

8 Appointment of examiners

(1)
On receiving the thesis and having considered the certificate of the supervisor, the Faculty will determine if fit to, appoint examiners. The supervisor may not be an examiner.
(2)
The Faculty, after consultation with the designated Faculty Officer, resolves to appoint examiners she or he shall appoint three examiners, at least one of whom shall be external to the University.
(3)
The Faculty shall appoint examiners.
(4)
In any case where the Faculty having received the thesis and having considered the report of the supervisor, resolves not to appoint examiners, he or she shall report the circumstances for this decision to the Academic Board.

9 Degree result

Upon the completion of the coursework at the level prescribed by the Faculty, after consideration of the report of the supervisor of the practicum and after consideration of the reports of the examiners on the thesis, the Faculty shall submit the reports, together with a recommendation concerning the award of the degree, to the Academic Board which shall determine the result of the candidature.

10 Time limits

(1)
Subject to subsection 10 (2) a candidate may proceed either on a full-time or part-time basis.
(2)
Except in special circumstances and with the approval of the Faculty a candidate shall complete a minimum of thirty weeks of full-time candidature taken over such a period of time and in such a manner as may be approved by the Faculty.
(3)
Except in special circumstances and with the approval of the Faculty a candidate shall complete all the requirements for the degree not earlier than the end of the third and not later than the end of the sixth year of candidature, excluding any period of approved suspended candidature.
(4)
A candidate shall prepare annually, before enrolment, a statement of the work done by the candidate towards completion of the requirements for the degree and submit it to the appointed supervisor in accordance with Academic Board policy.
(5)
The supervisor shall also prepare a report on the work done by the candidate, which shall be shown to the candidate for comment, and the candidate shall sign the report as having sighted the contents.
(6)
Both reports shall then be forwarded to the Faculty.
(7)
Where, in the opinion of the Faculty, a candidate has not made satisfactory progress towards completing the requirements for the degree the Faculty may call upon the candidate to show cause why the candidature should not be terminated for the lack of satisfactory progress.

 

Master of Philosophy in Social Work


These resolutions relating to the Master of Philosophy in Social Work are amended, with effect from 1 January 2001.

Course Resolutions

1 Course codes

Code

Course title

ZC081

Master of Philosophy in Social Work

2 Admission

An applicant for admission to candidature for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Social Work shall:
(a)
hold a four-year Bachelor of Social Work degree or equivalent with first or second class honours, or
(b)
being a Bachelor of Social Work without first class or second class Honours, either produce evidence to the satisfaction of the Faculty of having completed equivalent work or complete, to the satisfaction of the Faculty, a period of probationary candidature, or
(c)
be a Master of Social Work with merit; and
(d)
have been in full-time employment in Social Work for a minimum of one year.

3 Degree requirements

(1)
A candidate shall:
(a)
carry out supervised research on a topic approved by the Faculty;
(b)
write a thesis embodying the results of this research; and
(c)
lodge with the Faculty three copies of the thesis, typewritten and bound in accordance with the resolutions of the Faculty.
(2)
The Faculty shall appoint a full-time member of the University academic staff to act as the supervisor of the candidate.
(3)
In any thesis lodged by the candidate, the candidate shall state generally in a preface and specifically in notes the source from which the information in the thesis was taken, the extent to which the candidate has made use of the work of others and the proportion of the thesis which is claimed as original.
(4)
A thesis lodged by a candidate shall be accompanied by a certificate from the supervisor stating whether, in the supervisor's opinion, the form of presentation of the thesis is satisfactory.
(5)
The Faculty shall appoint a least two examiners of the thesis, of whom at least one shall be external to the University.
(6)
The examiners shall report to the Faculty who shall determine the result of the examination.
(7)
In special cases the Faculty, may require the candidate to take an examination in the area of the thesis.

4 General provisions relating to all degrees of Master

(1)
A full-time candidate for the degree of Master shall present for examination for the award not earlier than the end of the first year of candidature and not later than the end of the third year of candidature, except with the permission of the Faculty.
(2)
A part-time candidate for the degree of Master shall present for examination for the award not earlier than the end of the second year of candidature and not later than the end of the sixth year of candidature, except with the permission of the Faculty.
(3)
Time spent by a candidate in advanced study in the University of Sydney, or in another university, or in another equivalent institution, before admission to candidature, may be deemed by the Faculty to be time spent after such admission, provided that it represents no more than half of the total candidature.

5 Unsatisfactory progress

The Faculty may:
(a)
call upon any candidate for the degree of Master to show cause why the candidature should not be terminated by reason of unsatisfactory progress towards completion of the course; and
(b)
where, in the opinion of the Faculty, the candidate does not show good cause, terminate the candidature.

6 Grade of award

(1)
The award of Master of Philosophy in Social Work shall be made in one grade only.
(2)
An outstanding candidate may receive the award with merit.
(3)
If the Faculty is of the opinion that the candidate's work is of sufficient merit, that candidate shall receive a bronze medal.

7 Consultation

Where the Associate Dean concerned is required to make a recommendation to the Faculty in respect of any person's candidature, the recommendation shall be made only after consultation with the course convenor and the relevant postgraduate studies coordinator.

 

Master of Social Work

Graduate Diploma in Social Work


These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

Course resolutions

1 Course codes

Code

Course title

ZC031

Master of Social Work

ZF001

Graduate Diploma in Social Work

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for these courses is full time or part time according to candidate choice.

3 Master's type

The master's degree in these resolutions is a professional master's course, as defined by the Coursework Rule.

4 Embedded courses in this sequence

(1)
The embedded courses in this sequence are:
(a)
the Graduate Diploma in Social Work
(b)
the Master of Social Work
(2)
Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence. Only the longest award completed will be conferred.

5 Admission to candidature

(1)
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria. In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.
(2)
Admission to candidature for the Graduate Diploma in Social Work requires:
(a)
the Bachelor of Social Work degree of the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers; and
(b)
evidence of at least one year's full-time employment in Social Work.
(3)
Admission to candidature for the Master of Social Work requires:
(a)
completion of the embedded Graduate Diploma in Social Work, or equivalent qualification; or
(b)
both the four year Bachelor of Social Work degree of the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers; and
(c)
evidence of at least one year's full-time employment in Social Work.

6 Requirements for award

(1)
The units of study that may be taken for the courses are set out in the Graduate Diploma in Social Work and Master of Social Work Table of Units of Study.
(2)
To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma of Social Work a candidate must complete 36 credit points, comprising:
(a)
12 credit points of core unit of study listed in the Table; and
(b)
24 credit points of elective units of study chosen from the Table.
(3)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Social Work a candidate must complete 48 credit points, comprising:
(a)
12 credit points of core units of study listed in the Table; and
(b)
36 credit points of elective units of study chosen from the Table.

7 Course transfer

A candidate for the master's degree may elect to discontinue study and graduate with a shorter award from this embedded sequence, with the approval of the Dean, and provided the requirements of the shorter award have been met.

8 Transitional provisions

(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that the requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016 and provided that there is no suspension of candidature, in which case the candidature for any period shall proceed under the by-laws and resolutions in force at the time of re-enrolment. The Faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.

 

Graduate Certificate in Policy Studies

Graduate Diploma in Policy Studies

Master of Policy Studies


These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

Course resolutions

1 Course codes

Code

Course title

XG004

Graduate Certificate in Policy Studies

XF007

Graduate Diploma in Policy Studies

XC031

Master of Policy Studies

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for the Master of Policy Studies and the Graduate Diploma in Policy Studies is full time or part time according to candidate choice, and for the Graduate Certificate in Policy Studies, it is part time only.

3 Master's type

The master's degree in these resolutions is a professional master's course, as defined by the Coursework Rule.

4 Embedded courses in this sequence

(1)
The embedded courses in this sequence are:
(a)
the Graduate Certificate in Policy Studies
(b)
the Graduate Diploma in Policy Studies
(c)
the Master of Policy Studies
(2)
Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence. Only the longest award completed will be conferred.

5 Admission to candidature

(1)
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria. In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.
(2)
Admission to candidature for the Graduate Certificate in Policy Studies, the Graduate Diploma in Policy Studies and the Master of Policy Studies requires:
(a)
the Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers; or
(b)
the Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification; or
(c)
a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney in a relevant discipline, or equivalent qualification, and at least three years' relevant work experience in the human services field; or
(d)
in the case of the Graduate Diploma, completion of the embedded Graduate Certificate in Policy Studies from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification; or
(e)
in the case of the Master's degree, completion of the embedded Graduate Diploma in Policy Studies from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.

6 Requirements for award

(1)
The units of study that may be taken for the courses are set out in the in the Table of Units of Study for the Graduate Certificate/Graduate Diploma/Master of Policy Studies.
(2)
To qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Policy Studies a candidate must complete 24 credit points, comprising:
(a)
12 credit points of core units of study chosen from the Table; and
(b)
12 credit points of elective units of study chosen from the Policy Studies units in the Table.
(3)
To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Policy Studies a candidate must complete 36 credit points, comprising:
(a)
12 credit points of core units of study chosen from the Table; and
(b)
24 credit points of elective units of study chosen from the Table, including:
(i)  a minimum of 18 credit points of units of study chosen from Policy Studies units and
(ii)  a maximum of 6 credit points of units of study chosen from the list of approved units of study from another faculty.
(4)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Policy Studies a candidate must complete 48 credit points, comprising:
(a)
12 credit points of core units of study chosen from the Table; and
(b)
36 credit points of elective units of study chosen from the Table, including:
(i)  a minimum of 24 credit points of units of study chosen from Policy Studies units and
(ii)  a maximum of 12 credit points of units of study chosen from the list of approved units of study from another faculty.

7 Course transfer

A candidate for the master's degree or graduate diploma may elect to discontinue study and graduate with a shorter award from this embedded sequence, with the approval of the Dean, and provided the requirements of the shorter award have been met.

8 Transitional provisions

(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that the requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016 and provided that there is no suspension of candidature, in which case the candidature for any period shall proceed under the by-laws and resolutions in force at the time of re-enrolment. The Faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.

 

Graduate Certificate in Human and Community Services


These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

Course resolutions

1 Course codes

Code

Course title

ZG006

Graduate Certificate in Human and Community Services

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is full time or part time according to candidate choice.

3 Admission to candidature

(1)
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria. In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.
(2)
Admission to candidature for the Graduate Certificate in Human and Community Services requires a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification.

4 Requirements for award

(1)
The units of study that may be taken for this course are set out in the Table of Units of Study for the Graduate Certificate in Human and Community Services.
(2)
To qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Human and Community Services a candidate must complete 24 credit points, comprising:
(a)
6 credit points of core units of study from the Table; and
(b)
18 credit points of elective units of study, including 12 credit points of elective units chosen from the Table and 6 credit points of elective units chosen from any postgraduate units offered by the Faculty of Education and Social Work or approved postgraduate units offered by other faculties.

5 Credit for previous study

(1)
Credit towards the Graduate Certificate in Human and Community services may be granted under the following conditions:
(a)
no more than 6 credit points, or one quarter of the credit-point requirement for the Graduate Certificate, will be granted;
(b)
credit will not be granted for the core unit of study; and
(c)
the study must have been completed within three years of commencement of candidature for the Graduate Certificate.

6 Transitional provisions

(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that the requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016 and provided that there is no suspension of candidature, in which case the candidature for any period shall proceed under the by-laws and resolutions in force at the time of re-enrolment. The Faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.