What happens when curriculum renewal starts with a deep understanding of students? For the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), it has led to a bold redesign that better supports learner success while maintaining the highest professional and accreditation standards.

By examining enrolment and progression data, the program collective developed a clearer picture of their students, many of whom are balancing study alongside work, family, and community responsibilities. These insights became the catalyst for a refreshed program aligned with UniSC's new learning and teaching model.

A standout change is the shift from a traditional two semester-based structure to a combination of trimester (12-week) and session-based (6-week) delivery model for coursework.

“The redesign provides students with a more focused and manageable study experience, allowing them to concentrate on two courses at a time over six-week sessions, rather than juggling four courses across a 12-week teaching period. It also delivers clearer study pathways, stronger cohort connections and more scaffolded learning.” 
Professor Cindy Davis, UniSC Discipline Lead for Social Work  

This creates a more purposeful learning journey, helping students build knowledge and skills progressively while engaging in focused study periods that better fit student workload, manageability, and extended timeframes for placement. It is intended to schedule a timetable that is condensed, permitting the student cohort to continue with part-time work, caring for family or other student needs. 

“Importantly, the redesign maintains enhanced recognition of prior learning for graduates from related disciplines, while the accredited 1,000 hours of field education remains unchanged, preserving the essential professional requirements of the degree.” 
 Professor Cindy Davis

To further enrich learning, the program has amplified the authentic, competency-based assessment through virtual simulation that replicates development clinical and professional skills, reflective practice, and industry readiness in a safe and engaging environment. 

By putting students at the centre of the program's architecture, the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is creating a more flexible, connected, and future-focused learning experience, demonstrating the power of transforming the student experience through thoughtful program renewal.