Master of Family Studies

Supporting families in their diversity of form and need is a priority in most nations and requires a skilled and highly educated workforce capable of working with complex issues in varied cultural, social and political contexts.

The Master of Family Studies (MFamStud) provides students with comprehensive multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills to undertake policy development and service delivery directed towards strengthening families. The programs cater to the needs of people transitioning from a generalist degree into professional roles, those already working as practitioners and/or managers in family services, or those looking to build careers in policy or practice in the field of Family Studies. Throughout the program, students will be provided with several opportunities to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills required for successful professional roles in this field. Students have the option of an industry based project that provides a pathway into the international and domestic family services sector. Students will also have an opportunity to develop an understanding of research methodologies as they apply to practice fields related to Family Studies.

The Master of Family Studies (MFamStud) is structured as a general program or as a program including specialisations in any of the following professional areas:

• Family Dispute Resolution

• Relationship Counselling

• International Family Studies

• Working with Men and Fathers.

The Master of Family Studiesdraws on the research and practice expertise of the University’s internationally renowned Family Action Centre, Discipline of Family Studies, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health. As a Centre engaged in the provision of family programs, research and policy advocacy, the Family Action Centre is well positioned to provide theoretical and practical education that will equip graduates for leading roles in family work positions or for the application of Family Studies in other professional roles in fields where understandings of families are important. The School of Health Sciences is one of the most comprehensive tertiary education providers for the health professions. The University of Newcastle is one of the leading suppliers of online postgraduate coursework in Australia, providing student-focussed support and online assistance to more than 3,000 students from over 60 countries.

It is envisaged that Family Studies graduates will work domestically or internationally in specialist areas of family work in the human services sector. Career options include:

• Family Service Manager.
• Family Program Coordinator.
• Research and Policy Officer in government, non-government and corporate sectors.
• Family and Relationship Services Practitioner.
• Specialist family work roles in nursing, allied health, youth work, drug and alcohol, mental health, early childhood, education, law.

Students with an AQF Level 8 Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline in a similar cognate area to Family Studies or equivalent qualifications and experience approved by the Pro Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Health are eligible to undertake the 80 unit program which can be completed in 1 year full time or 2 years part time.

Students with an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline in a similar cognate area to Family Studies or equivalent qualifications and experience approved by the Pro Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Health are eligible to undertake the 120 unit program which can be completed in 1.5 years full time or 3 years part time.

In special circumstances, an applicant holding other acceptable academic or professional qualifications and relevant work experience may be admitted as a candidate for the Master program.

Students eligible to articulate from the Grad Cert in Family Studies to the Master of Family Studies will be awarded 40 units of internal credit towards either the 80 unit or 120 unit program.

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to new program go to http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/credit-transfer/ and click on How to apply for credit.

Students undertaking the Drug and Alcohol Studies courses in the Family Studies program are required to do 100 hours of practical experience in MEDI6145 and MEDI6160 (50 hours in each course).

Students undertaking the HLSC6011 are required to complete an industry based project with a Family Services or related organisation.

Students in the Family Dispute Resolution Specialisation are required to complete supervised directed clinical assessments within their workplace in HLSC6012 and HLSC6013 within a Family Law environment. Students must work in a setting (either voluntary or paid) which provides access to supervised clinical assessment with clients.

Students in the Relationship Counselling Specialisation are required to complete supervised directed clinical assessments within their workplace in HLSC6016 and HLSC6017. Students must work in a setting (either voluntary or paid) which provides access to supervised clinical assessment with clients.

The MFamStud program is structured to provide opportunities for off-shore international students. Applicants will be assessed on an individual basis. Strategies for program-specific online student support will be developed in consultation with participating students.

The University policy on Students with Special Needs is implemented at all times. The Faculty accepts responsibility, in liaison with the Student Support Unit, for providing reasonable accommodations to allow students with disabilities to complete the program.

The general Family Studies program allows students to combine core courses with directed courses to tailor the program to professional and personal interests in Family Studies relating to areas such as ageing, disability services, drug and alcohol studies, children and families.

The International Family Studies specialisation provides access to an intercultural curriculum in International Family Studies through courses designed and delivered online by a consortium known as the Global Consortium International Family Studies (GCIFS). GCIFS courses are approved and evaluated by the University of Newcastle, and are delivered on a shared, rotating basis by GCIFS member institutions from the USA, India, and Australia (University of Newcastle). Enrolment in GCIFS courses is limited in accordance with the partnership arrangements of the Consortium.

The specialisations in Family Dispute Resolution and Relationship Counselling provide students with the advanced knowledge and skills required to work in these professions. Most courses in these specialisations are designed and delivered in mixed mode through a partnership agreement with Interrelate Training Institute and are delivered by qualified and experienced staff contracted to the University through the partnership arrangements with Interrelate Training Institute. Some courses are delivered solely online through the university. Students must work in a setting (either voluntary or paid) which provides access to supervised clinical assessment with clients.

The specialisation in Working with Men and Fathers provides students with access to courses developed and taught by the by the Fathers and Families Research Program based at the University’s Family Action Centre. This program’s reputation for ground-breaking innovation in the field of fatherhood research and practice has been nationally and internationally recognised.